Transmitter interpolating clock signal, communication device including the same, and method of operating the same

A communication device comprising:

• a data management circuit configured to manage a data signal;
• a clock generator configured to generate a four-phase clock signal including a first clock signal, a second clock signal, a third clock signal, and a fourth clock signal;
• a transmitter configured to provide a first transmission data signal to an external receiver;
• and
• a receiver configured to receive a second transmission data signal from an external transmitter,
• the transmitter including
• a phase interpolator configured to generate an internal four-phase clock signal based on the four-phase clock signal;
• a data path configured to generate a path data signal based on the data signal and the internal four-phase clock signal;
• at least one multiplexer configured to generate the first transmission data signal based on the path data signal and the four-phase clock signal;
• and
• a tri-state phase detector configured to provide the phase interpolator with a control signal indicating a first phase state, a second phase state, or a third phase state based on a target path bit signal of the path data signal, the first clock signal, and the fourth clock signal, and
• the phase interpolator further configured to interpolate the internal four-phase clock signal based on the control signal.

A method of operating a transmitter, the method comprising:

• generating an internal four-phase clock signal based on a four-phase clock signal including a first clock signal, a second clock signal, a third clock signal, and a fourth clock signal;
• generating a path data signal based on a data signal and the internal four-phase clock signal;
• generating a control signal indicating a late state, a hold state, or an early state based on a target path bit signal of the path data signal, the first clock signal, and the fourth clock signal;
• and
• interpolating the internal four-phase clock signal based on the control signal.