Amplitude-and rise-time-insensitive timing-shaping filters

A timing-shaping filter for converting a selected input signal defining a substantially linear edge to a bi-polar signal having a zero-crossing time along said substantially linear edge, said timing-shaping filter being insensitive to the amplitude and rise time of said selected input signal, said timing-shaping filter comprising:

• signal delay circuitry for receiving said selected input signal and generating a delayed signal, said signal delay circuitry consisting of one or more low-pass filters;
• attenuation circuitry for receiving said selected input signal and generating an attenuated signal, said attenuated signal being a selected fraction of said selected input signal, said attenuator circuitry being connected in parallel to said signal delay circuitry, said selected fraction being within the range defined between zero, non-inclusive, and one, non-inclusive;
• and
• a differencer for subtracting said attenuated signal from said delayed signal to generate said bi-polar signal whereby said bi-polar signal defines a zero-crossing time which is independent of said amplitude and said rise time of said selected input signal.

A timing-shaping filter for converting a selected input signal defining an arbitrary fixed shape to a bi-polar signal having a zero-crossing time, said timing-shaping filter being insensitive to at least the amplitude of said selected input signal, said timing-shaping filter comprising:

• signal delay circuitry for receiving said selected input signal and generating a delayed signal, said signal delay circuitry consisting of one or more low-pass filters;
• attenuation circuitry for receiving said selected input signal and generating an attenuated signal, said attenuated signal being a selected fraction of said selected input signal, said attenuator circuitry being connected in parallel to said signal delay circuitry;
• and
• a differencer for subtracting said attenuated signal from said delayed signal to generate said bi-polar signal whereby said bi-polar signal defines a zero-crossing time which is independent of at least said amplitude of said selected input signal.

A timing-shaping filter for converting a selected input signal defining a substantially linear edge to a bi-polar signal having a zero-crossing time along said substantially linear edge, said timing-shaping filter being insensitive to the amplitude and rise time of said selected input signal, said timing-shaping filter comprising:

• signal delay circuitry for receiving said selected input signal and generating a delayed signal, said signal delay circuitry including at least one low-pass filter and at least one all-pass filter in series with said at least one low-pass filter;
• attenuation circuitry for receiving said selected input signal and generating an attenuated signal, said attenuated signal being a selected fraction of said selected input signal, said attenuator circuitry being connected in parallel to said signal delay circuitry;
• and
• a differencer for subtracting said attenuated signal from said delayed signal to generate said bi-polar signal whereby said bi-polar signal defines a zero-crossing time which is independent of said amplitude and said rise time of said selected input signal.

A timing-shaping filter for converting a selected input signal defining a substantially linear edge to a bi-polar signal having a zero-crossing time along said substantially linear edge, said timing-shaping filter being insensitive to the amplitude and rise time of said selected input signal, said timing-shaping filter comprising:

• signal delay circuitry for receiving said selected input signal and generating a delayed signal, said signal delay circuitry including at least one low-pass filter and at least one all-pass filter in series with said at least one low-pass filter;
• attenuation circuitry for receiving said selected input signal and generating an attenuated signal, said attenuated signal being a selected fraction of said selected input signal, said attenuator circuitry being connected in parallel to said signal delay circuitry, said selected fraction being within the range between zero, non-inclusive, and one, non-inclusive;
• and
• a differencer for subtracting said attenuated signal from said delayed signal to generate said bi-polar signal whereby said bi-polar signal defines a zero-crossing time which is independent of said amplitude and said rise time of said selected input signal.

A timing-shaping filter for converting a selected input signal defining an arbitrary fixed shape to a bi-polar signal having a zero-crossing time, said timing-shaping filter being insensitive to at least the amplitude of said selected input signal, said timing-shaping filter comprising:

• signal delay circuitry for receiving said selected input signal and generating a delayed signal, said signal delay circuitry including at least one low-pass filter and at least one all-pass filter in series with said at least one low-pass filter;
• attenuation circuitry for receiving said selected input signal and generating an attenuated signal, said attenuated signal being a selected fraction of said selected input signal, said attenuator circuitry being connected in parallel to said signal delay circuitry;
• and
• a differencer for subtracting said attenuated signal from said delayed signal to generate said bi-polar signal whereby said bi-polar signal defines a zero-crossing time which is independent of at least said amplitude of said selected input signal.