Time-interleaved sampling circuits with randomized skipping

A time-interleaved sampling system comprising:

• an input signal having a time-varying analog value;
• and
• a plurality of samplers, each sampler operable in a track mode and a hold mode;
• wherein:
• in the track mode, the samplers track the analog value of the input signal,
• in the hold mode, each sampler holds a respective analog value of the input signal, the respective analog value comprising the analog value that a respective sampler tracked immediately before entering the hold mode,
• the samplers enter the track mode in a predetermined sequence,
• after each sampler is in the track mode for a predetermined time period, each sampler transitions to the hold mode,
• after a last sampler in the predetermined sequence enters the track mode, the predetermined sequence is repeated in a loop,
• in a first loop through the predetermined sequence:
• a first skipped sampler is bypassed from entering the track mode, and
• a first next sampler enters the track mode in place of the first skipped sampler, the first next sampler immediately following the first skipped sampler in the predetermined sequence, and
• in a second loop through the predetermined sequence, the second loop occurring after the first loop:
• the first skipped sampler enters the track mode,
• after the first skipped sampler enters the track mode, a second skipped sampler is randomly selected to be bypassed from entering the track mode, and
• a second next sampler enters the track mode in place of the second skipped sampler, the second next sampler immediately following the second skipped sampler in the predetermined sequence.

A method of time-interleaved sampling comprising:

• electrically coupling an input of a plurality of samplers to an input signal having a time-varying analog value, each sampler operable in a track mode and a hold mode, wherein:
• in the track mode, the samplers track the analog value of the input signal, and
• in the hold mode, each sampler holds a respective analog value of the input signal, the respective analog value comprising the analog value that a respective sampler tracked immediately before entering the hold mode;
• transitioning the samplers from hold mode to the track mode in a predetermined sequence;
• transitioning each sampler from the track mode to the hold mode after a predetermined time period;
• repeating the predetermined sequence in a loop after a last sampler in the predetermined sequence enters the track mode;
• and
• at random intervals, bypassing a skipped sampler from entering the track mode such that a next sampler enters the track mode in place of the skipped sampler, the next sampler immediately following the skipped sampler in the predetermined sequence.