VCO Quantizer Fold Correction for Higher Code Range

The VCO is divided into N delay stages, where each stage contributes to the overall oscillation frequency. By segmenting the VCO into discrete delay stages with controlled delay times, the system achieves high linearity through precise delay control without requiring specialized CMOS inverters for each stage, thereby reducing area consumption.

The invention controls the delay time of each delay stage as a key parameter to achieve linear oscillation frequency response. By carefully designing and adjusting the delay time parameter of each stage, the system maintains high measurement precision (linearity) while using standard CMOS technology, avoiding the need for specialized high-area inverters.

The VCO is segmented into N delay stages, each consuming minimal power. By distributing the oscillation function across multiple low-power delay stages rather than using a few high-power specialized inverters, the system achieves high linearity through cumulative delay control while maintaining low overall power consumption.

The delay time parameter of each stage is optimized to achieve the desired oscillation frequency range and linearity performance. This parameter-based design allows the use of low-power standard CMOS delay elements instead of high-power specialized inverters, reducing total power consumption while maintaining measurement precision.

Each delay stage serves multiple functions: it contributes to the oscillation frequency, provides a quantization level, and participates in the folding mechanism. This multi-functionality allows N delay stages to achieve 2N quantization levels, effectively doubling the resolution without proportionally increasing area consumption.

The folding mechanism uses feedback from the phase detector to interpret the oscillation phase information. By detecting whether the oscillation completes fewer or more than N/2 cycles, the system effectively doubles the quantization levels from N to 2N, achieving higher measurement precision without adding physical hardware components.

Each delay stage is designed to perform multiple functions efficiently, contributing to oscillation, quantization, and the folding mechanism. This universal design allows the system to achieve 2N quantization levels with N low-power delay stages, avoiding the need for additional high-power components that would be required in conventional designs.

The phase detector and folding mechanism provide intelligent interpretation of the oscillation signal, allowing the system to extract twice as many quantization levels from the same physical hardware. This feedback-based approach doubles the effective resolution without requiring double the power consumption, as no additional active oscillation stages are needed.