Square Wave Sequence Generator Using Segmented Delay Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sequence signal generators face limitations in achieving higher time precision due to the constraints of high-speed clock methods, making them unsuitable for applications requiring greater precision.
Innovation Solution
A sequence signal generator utilizing a combination of preliminary and secondary delay units, where the preliminary delay units have longer delays than the secondary units, and the number of secondary units is adjusted to minimize non-linearity, thereby improving time precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a high-speed clock method is used to generate square wave sequence signals, then the operating frequency can be increased to GHz level, but the time precision is limited to nanosecond level and cannot be further improved
Solution Approach 1:
The delay chain is segmented into multiple delay units with different delay characteristics. By selecting and combining specific delay units, the system achieves fine-grained time control independent of the clock frequency, resolving the contradiction between high operating frequency and high time precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from time-domain control (clock frequency) to spatial-domain control (delay unit selection and combination). By using multiple delay units with different delay values, the system achieves precise time control through spatial arrangement rather than temporal frequency, breaking the nanosecond limitation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple delay units are combined to achieve higher time precision, then the time precision can be improved, but the non-linearity of the delay chain increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different delay units are designed with different delay characteristics to compensate for each other's non-linearity. By carefully selecting and combining delay units with complementary characteristics, the overall delay chain achieves improved linearity while maintaining high time precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the selection and combination of delay units based on the required delay precision. By changing the parameters of which delay units are activated and how they are combined, the system optimizes the balance between time precision and delay chain linearity for different operating conditions.
3Measurement precision
If the clock frequency is increased to improve time precision, then the time precision can be enhanced, but it becomes very difficult to further improve the operating frequency beyond GHz level
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical/electrical approach of increasing clock frequency with a digital logic approach using multiple delay units. Instead of pushing the clock frequency higher (which faces physical limitations), the system uses parallel delay unit selection and combination to achieve finer time resolution, avoiding the complexity of ultra-high frequency operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sequence signal generator and a sequence signal generation method. The method comprises: a communication module (110) receiving a waveform output instruction sent by a host computer; a waveform output module (120) acquiring waveform data according to the waveform output instruction, the waveform data comprising original square wave sequence data and target square wave sequence data, and the target square wave sequence data comprising a first-order time delay parameter and a second-order time delay parameter; acquiring an original square wave sequence signal according to the original square wave sequence data; a time delay module (140) performing, according to the first-order time delay parameter, first-order time delay processing on the original square wave sequence signal to acquire an intermediate square wave sequence signal; and the time delay module (140) performing, according to the second-order time delay parameter, second-order time delay processing on the intermediate square wave sequence signal to acquire a target square wave sequence signal. The use of the first-order time delay unit having a longer delay reduces the number of uses of second-order time delay units, such that the time delay chains used are in more preferable non-linear sections. The invention improves time accuracy in generation of square wave sequence signals.