Digital delay, digital phase shifter

A circuit for shifting a periodic waveform comprising:

• a delay line configured to receive a periodic signal, the delay line comprising a plurality of delay elements coupled in series;
• a plurality of storage elements coupled at intervals to the delay line and configured to store information corresponding to a period of the periodic signal and further configured to latch the information when a transition of the periodic signal occurs along the delay line;
• and
• a plurality of tapping elements coupled to the delay line and configured to provide a phase shift of the periodic signal.

A method of shifting the phase of a periodic signal comprising the acts of

• providing a periodic signal to a delay line, the periodic signal comprising a first state and a second state, and the delay line comprising a plurality of delay elements;
• measuring the number of delay elements through which the periodic signal propagates before transitioning between the first state and the second state;
• storing information in a storage device coupled to the delay line at a first point along the delay line, the information corresponding to the number of delay elements through which the periodic signal propagates before transitioning between the first state and the second state;
• and
• enabling a tapping element to produce an output, the tapping element being coupled to the delay line at a second point along the delay line, the second point being before the first point.

A method of manufacturing a system comprising the acts of:

• providing a processor;
• and
• providing a memory device wherein the act of providing a memory device comprises the acts of:
• providing a delay line configured to receive a periodic signal, the delay line comprising a plurality of delay elements coupled in series;
• providing a plurality of storage elements coupled at intervals to the delay line and configured to store information corresponding to a period of the periodic signal and further configured to latch the information when a transition of the periodic signal occurs along the delay line;
• and
• providing a plurality of tapping elements coupled to the delay line and configured to provide a phase shift of the periodic signal.

A method for shifting a periodic waveform comprising the acts of:

• providing a delay line configured to receive a periodic signal, the delay line comprising a plurality of delay elements coupled in series;
• providing a plurality of storage elements coupled at intervals to the delay line and configured to store information corresponding to a period of the periodic signal and further configured to latch the information when a transition of the periodic signal occurs along the delay line;
• and
• providing a plurality of tapping elements coupled to the delay line and configured to provide a phase shift of the periodic signal.