Commutatiing phase selector
AssigneeAtheros Communications, Inc.
InventorsMichael Mack, Manolis Terrovitis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A phase selector for selecting a differential output is provided. The phase selector can include two matched transistor circuits. A first transistor circuit can receive a first differential input signal whereas a second transistor circuit can receive a second differential input signal. One of the transistor circuits can be used to dump an output current generated by the first differential input signal to Vdd. The other transistor circuit can be used to steer an output current generated by the second differential input signal to two output lines, thereby providing a differential output signal on the output lines.
Claims12
A phase selector for selecting a differential output, the phase selector comprising:
- a first transistor circuit for receiving a first differential input signal;
- a second transistor circuit for receiving a second differential input signal;
- and
- a pair of output lines connected to the first and second transistor circuits, wherein the output lines provide the differential output, and wherein the first and second transistor circuits are substantially matched.
A method of operating a phase selector including a first transistor circuit and a second transistor circuit, the method comprising:
- determining control signals for the first and second transistor circuits;
- using the first transistor circuit to dump an output current generated by a first differential input signal to Vdd;
- and
- using the second transistor circuit to steer an output current generated by a second differential input signal to output lines, thereby providing a differential output signal to the output lines.
A method of designing a phase selector, the method comprising:
- providing a first transistor circuit for receiving a first differential input signal;
- providing a second transistor circuit for receiving a second differential input signal;
- and
- providing a pair of output lines selectively connected to the first and second transistor circuits, wherein the output lines provide a differential output, and wherein the first and second transistor circuits are matched.
A phase selector comprising:
- means for selectively dumping an output current generated by a first differential input signal to Vdd;
- and
- means for selectively steering an output current generated by a second differential input signal to output lines of the phase selector, thereby providing a differential output signal to the output lines.
A state machine or a computer-implementable software program for operating a phase selector, the phase selector including a first transistor circuit and a second transistor circuit, the software program comprising:
- instructions for determining control signals for the first and second transistor circuits;
- instructions for using the first transistor circuit to dump an output current generated by a first differential input signal to Vdd;
- and
- instructions for using the second transistor circuit to steer an output current generated by a second differential input signal to output lines of the phase selector, thereby providing a differential output signal to the output lines.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.