Methods for dynamically adaptive bit-leveling by sweep sampling with automatic jitter avoidance

A method for performing bit leveling for a data interface, comprising:

• receiving a pattern of alternating 1's and 0's on a data bit signal;
• providing a programmable delay line for delaying data received on the data bit signal to produce a delayed data bit signal;
• strobing the delayed data bit signal with a data strobe signal at a regular interval to produce a sampled data bit signal value, the regular interval being at substantially the same frequency as the pattern of alternating 1's and 0's;
• from an initial delay line delay setting, incrementally changing the delay line delay by a plurality of increments, and recording at each increment the sampled data bit signal value;
• analyzing the recorded sampled data bit signal values to determine the width and position of strings of consecutive sampled data bits having the same signal values;
• choosing substantially a center point of one of the strings of consecutive sampled data bits to be a desired sampling point;
• and
• setting the programmable delay line to a delay setting that causes the data strobe signal to be aligned with the desired sampling point.