Periodic Signal Timing Circuit for Sub-Clock Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic test equipment (ATE) systems face challenges in achieving high accuracy and resolution for time measurements, particularly when dealing with signals at high clock rates, as conventional methods often rely on clock periods that are not fine enough to capture precise time intervals between signal transitions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize an electronic circuit and integrator to determine time measurements by approximating the timing based on the period of a clock signal and adjusting it using a third signal aligned with the input signal, allowing for finer resolution than the clock period, enabling precise time interval detection between periodic signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional time measurement methods using clock periods are used, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient for high clock rate signals
Solution Approach 1:
The time measurement process is segmented into two distinct phases: a coarse measurement phase that captures the approximate time interval using clock periods, and a fine measurement phase that captures the precise sub-clock-period timing using an integrator. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high resolution without requiring the entire measurement system to operate at the high signal frequency
Solution Approach 2:
An integrator circuit is introduced as an intermediary component that converts the timing difference between the input signal edge and the clock signal edge into a proportional voltage output. This intermediary translates temporal information into electrical voltage that can be precisely measured and stored, enabling sub-clock-period resolution
2Measurement precision
If a higher frequency clock signal is used to improve time measurement resolution, then the measurement precision increases, but the device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter domain from direct time measurement at high frequency to voltage measurement at low frequency. By integrating the timing difference over a period and converting it to a voltage signal, the measurement is transformed from a high-frequency temporal parameter to a low-frequency electrical parameter that is easier to detect and measure with standard equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A system for measuring the time interval of a signal. The second signal has a frequency higher than a frequency of the first signal. According to one embodiment, the system includes an electronic circuit for determining an approximation of the time based on a period of the second signal and for determining an adjustment to the approximation based on the second signal and a third signal corresponding to the second signal and aligned with the first signal. The length of the adjustment is less than the period of the second signal.