Phase Interpolation Time Signal Processor for Fast Accurate Quantization

The delay chain is segmented into multiple buffer stages (e.g., 8 buffers for 8-bit quantization), where each buffer provides a fixed time delay step. This segmentation allows the system to achieve higher quantization accuracy by selecting appropriate delay steps while keeping each individual buffer simple in structure.

The patent introduces dynamically controllable delay elements that can adjust their delay time based on control signals. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to optimize quantization accuracy for different operating conditions while maintaining relatively simple buffer structures.

The patent merges the delay chain structure with the vernier structure, combining the advantages of both approaches. The delay chain provides coarse quantization with simple buffers, while the vernier structure adds fine quantization capability. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to a pure vernier structure while achieving high quantization accuracy.

The vernier structure is nested within the delay chain framework, where the fine quantization mechanism is embedded in the coarser delay structure. This nesting allows the system to achieve high-resolution quantization without duplicating the entire delay chain, thereby reducing device complexity.

The patent implements partial buffering by only buffering signals that require delay, rather than buffering all signals throughout the entire processing pipeline. This selective buffering approach reduces the total number of buffer stages that need to operate simultaneously, thereby lowering power consumption while maintaining quantization accuracy.

The system uses periodic clocking and reset signals to control buffer operations, allowing buffers to be activated and deactivated in a periodic manner. This periodic operation reduces the average power consumption compared to continuous operation of all buffer stages, while still achieving the required quantization accuracy when buffers are active.

The patent performs preliminary coarse quantization using the delay chain with fixed time delays before proceeding to fine quantization. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly establish a baseline measurement, and then refine it with additional processing, thereby achieving high conversion speed without sacrificing final quantization accuracy.

The system dynamically adjusts the quantization process based on the input signal characteristics and timing requirements. When conversion speed is prioritized, the system can use coarser quantization steps, and when accuracy is prioritized, it can employ finer quantization steps. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the trade-off between conversion speed and quantization accuracy in real-time.