US 5,631,593 A · Adjustable delay line

Abstract

A plurality of binary signals each having first and second logic levels respectively representing a binary "1" and a binary "0" and each indicating a binary digit of an individual binary significance cumulatively represent an adjustable delay to be provided by a plurality of delay elements. A first particular number of the binary signals of greatest binary significance are decoded to provide, in a thermometer code, a plurality of signals each having first and second amplitudes. The signals in the thermometer code control the operation of individual switches each having first and second operative relationships to provide respectively for a maximum delay or a minimum delay in an associated one of the delay elements. The binary signals of least binary significance are decoded to produce an analog signal variable between the first and second amplitudes. The analog signal is introduced, in a third operative relationship of an individual one of the switches, to the delay element associated with such switch to provide a delay variable between the minimum and maximum values in accordance with the amplitude of the analog signal. The selection of the individual one of the switches is dependent upon the pattern of the binary signals in the thermometer code, this pattern being a binary 10 in a successive pair of the decoded binary signals. The delay elements may be connected in series to provide a cumulative delay constituting the sum of the delays in the different delay elements and corresponding to the delay indicated by the binary signals.

Claims15

Dependent claims

In combination for providing an adjustable delay in an input signal,

first means for providing a plurality of binary signals of progressive binary significance to indicate the adjustable delay in the input signal,
a plurality of delay elements each operative to provide a delay between minimum and maximum values, the delay elements in the plurality being connected to provide a delay related to the accumulation of the delays provided by the individual ones of the delay elements in the plurality, and
second means responsive to the binary signals for simultaneously producing the maximum delay in first ones, and at times simultaneously at least one additional one (1) dependent upon the pattern of the binary signals of the progressive binary significance in the plurality, of the delay elements in the plurality and the minimum delay in second ones of the delay elements in the plurality and for producing, in a third one of the delay elements in the plurality, a delay, simultaneously with the delays produced in the first and second ones of the delay elements in the plurality, between the minimum and maximum values to provide cumulatively the adjustable delay in the input signal in the delay elements in the plurality.

In combination for providing an adjustable delay in an input signal,

first means for providing a plurality of binary signals of progressive binary significance to indicate the adjustable delay in the input signal,
a plurality of delay elements each having characteristics of producing a current between minimum and maximum limits and of producing a variable delay between the minimum and maximum limits dependent upon variations in the magnitude of the current in such delay element between the minimum and maximum limits, the delay elements in the plurality being connected to provide an accumulation of the delays in the individual ones of the delay elements in the plurality, and
second means responsive to the binary signals for producing the maximum current in first ones, and at times simultaneously at least one additional one (1) depending upon the pattern of the binary signals of the progressive binary significance in the plurality, of the delay elements in the plurality and the minimum current in second ones of the delay elements in the plurality and a current between the minimum and maximum limits in a third one of the delay elements in the plurality to obtain the adjustable delay in the input signal cumulatively through the delay elements in the plurality.

In combination for providing an adjustable delay in an input signal,

first means for providing a plurality of binary signals of progressive binary significance to indicate the adjustable delay in the input signal,
a plurality of delay elements each having characteristics of producing a variable delay between minimum and maximum limits, the delay elements in the plurality being constructed to provide an accumulation of the delays in the delay elements in the plurality, and
second means responsive to first individual ones of the binary signals for determining first individual ones of the delay elements, and at times simultaneously at least one additional one (1) depending upon the pattern of the binary signals of the progressive binary significance in the plurality, to provide a delay of the maximum limit and for determining second individual ones of the delay elements to provide a delay of the minimum limit and for determining a third individual one of the delay elements to provide a variable delay between the minimum and maximum limits and responsive to second individual ones of the binary signals of a different binary significance than the first individual ones of the binary signals for determining the magnitude of the variable delay in the third individual one of the delay elements between the minimum and maximum limits.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable delay line

Life of this patent

Adjustable delay line

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15