Fractional phase shift ring oscillator arrangement

A variable output oscillator arrangement, comprising:

• a ring oscillator having a plurality of oscillator outputs and including means for generating an oscillating signal of a given frequency and repetition period, and means for presenting said oscillating signal to said oscillator outputs with a phase shift of a predetermined fraction of said repetition period from any one of said oscillator outputs to a sequentially next one of said oscillator outputs in a predetermined repetitive sequence;
• a selector having a plurality of selector inputs each connected to a corresponding one of said plural oscillator outputs, a selector output, and a multiplicity of individually actuatable selector switches interposed between said selector inputs and said selector output;
• means for actuating said selector switches so as to establish a connection between said selector output and only a single selected one of said selector inputs at any time;
• means for operating said actuating means in response to a control signal in one of two modes, in one of which modes said selector switches maintain said connection and in the other of which modes said selector switches intermittently index said connection in said predetermined repetitive sequence among said plural selector inputs;
• and
• means for furnishing said control signal to said operating means to select one of said two modes in which said actuating means is then to operate.