Signal distribution networks and related methods
First Claim
1. A circuit comprising segments coupled together to form a signal distribution network, wherein each of the segments comprises:
- a buffer circuit;
a first transmission line coupled to the buffer circuit;
an inductor coupled to the buffer circuit through the first transmission line; and
a variable capacitance circuit coupled to the inductor and coupled to the buffer circuit through the first transmission line, wherein a capacitance of the variable capacitance circuit is set to determine a phase and an amplitude of a signal transmitted through the first transmission line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A signal distribution network has segments that each have a buffer circuit, a transmission line coupled to the buffer circuit, an inductor coupled to the buffer circuit through the transmission line, and a variable capacitance circuit coupled to the inductor and coupled to the buffer circuit through the transmission line. A capacitance of the variable capacitance circuit is set to determine a phase and an amplitude of a signal transmitted through the transmission line. A signal distribution network can include a phase detector, a loop filter circuit, and a resonant delay circuit. The phase detector compares a phase of a first periodic signal to a phase of a second periodic signal. The resonant delay circuit has a variable impedance circuit having an impedance that varies based on changes in an output signal of the loop filter circuit.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A circuit comprising segments coupled together to form a signal distribution network, wherein each of the segments comprises:
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a buffer circuit; a first transmission line coupled to the buffer circuit; an inductor coupled to the buffer circuit through the first transmission line; and a variable capacitance circuit coupled to the inductor and coupled to the buffer circuit through the first transmission line, wherein a capacitance of the variable capacitance circuit is set to determine a phase and an amplitude of a signal transmitted through the first transmission line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A circuit comprising a signal distribution network, wherein the signal distribution network comprises:
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a phase detector that compares a phase of a first periodic signal to a phase of a second periodic signal; a loop filter circuit coupled to the phase detector; and a first resonant delay circuit coupled to the loop filter circuit and coupled to the phase detector, wherein the first resonant delay circuit comprises a variable impedance circuit having an impedance that varies based on changes in an output signal of the loop filter circuit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for transmitting a periodic signal through a signal distribution network having segments that are coupled together, the method comprising:
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buffering the periodic signal in each of the segments to generate a buffered periodic signal; transmitting the buffered periodic signal through a first transmission line in each of the segments; and setting a capacitance of a variable capacitance circuit in each of the segments to select a phase and an amplitude of the buffered periodic signal, wherein the variable capacitance circuit is coupled to an inductor in each of the segments. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method for controlling a phase of a periodic signal transmitted through a signal distribution network, wherein the method comprises:
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comparing a phase of a first periodic signal with a phase of a second periodic signal to generate a first phase comparison signal; filtering the first phase comparison signal to generate a first filtered signal; and setting a first variable impedance in a first resonant delay circuit based on the first filtered signal to determine the phase of the second periodic signal. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification