Phase rotator non-linearity detection system, method and device

A method of operating a phase interpolation system, the method comprising:

• providing a clock signal with a clock source;
• with a phase rotator, receiving the clock signal and outputting a plurality of phase rotated clock signals that are each derived from the clock signal and a different phase state of a plurality of supported phase states of the phase rotator;
• with a non-linearity detector, comparing a phase of each of the rotated clock signals to a phase of a reference clock signal and outputting a plurality of pulses that each indicate a phase difference between the clock signal and a different one of the rotated clock signals, wherein each one of the plurality of supported phase states is paired with the phase difference that was determined based on the rotated clock signal derived from the one of the plurality of supported phase states;
• and
• with a non-linearity corrector, determining an extent to which the pairs of the phase differences and the selectable phases have a non-linear relationship with each other, and generating one or more control signals based on the extent, wherein operation of the phase rotator is adjusted based on the control signals such that the extent of the non-linear relationship is reduced.

A phase interpolation system, the system comprising:

• means for generating a clock that produces a clock signal;
• means for rotating phase that receives the clock signal and outputs a plurality of phase rotated clock signals that are each derived from the clock signal and a different phase state of a plurality of supported phase states of the phase rotator;
• means for detecting a non-linearity that compares a phase of each of the rotated clock signals to a phase of a reference clock signal and outputs a plurality of pulses that each indicate a phase difference between the clock signal and a different one of the rotated clock signals, wherein each one of the plurality of supported phase states is paired with the phase difference that was determined based on the rotated clock signal derived from the one of the plurality of supported phase states;
• and
• means for correcting a non-linearity that determines an extent to which the pairs of the phase differences and the selectable phases have a non-linear relationship with each other, and generates one or more control signals based on the extent, wherein operation of the means for rotating phase is adjusted based on the control signals such that the extent of the non-linear relationship is reduced.