Signal comparison apparatus and method of controlling same
First Claim
1. A signal comparison apparatus, comprising:
- a first comparator, configured to receive at least two first input signals and be controlled by a start signal to compare differences of the at least two first input signals to generate an output signal based on the start signal;
a self-timed clock generator, coupled to the first comparator and configured to receive the output signals and generate a self-timed clock signal according to the output signals; and
a controller, coupled to the self-timed clock generator and configured to receive the self-timed clock signal, calculate a time interval of the self-timed clock signal and determine whether the time interval is equal to or larger than a threshold time to generate a metastable detection signal, wherein the time interval responds to the at least two first input signals, and the controller outputs the metastable detection signal as the start signal when the time interval is equal to or larger than the threshold time, so as to enable the first comparator to continue comparing the next differences of the at least two first input signals.
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Abstract
A signal comparison apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided. The signal comparison apparatus includes a first comparator, a self-timed clock generator and a controller. The first comparator is controlled by a start signal to compare differences of first input signals and generate output signals. The self-timed clock generator receives the output signals to generate a self-timed clock signal. The controller receives the self-timed clock signal and calculates a time interval of the self-timed clock signal which responds to the first input signals of the first comparator, and determines whether the time interval is equal to or larger than a threshold time to generate a metastable detection signal. When the time interval is equal to or larger than the threshold time, the controller outputs the metastable detection signal as the start signal, such that the first comparator continue comparing the next differences of the first input signals.
20 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A signal comparison apparatus, comprising:
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a first comparator, configured to receive at least two first input signals and be controlled by a start signal to compare differences of the at least two first input signals to generate an output signal based on the start signal; a self-timed clock generator, coupled to the first comparator and configured to receive the output signals and generate a self-timed clock signal according to the output signals; and a controller, coupled to the self-timed clock generator and configured to receive the self-timed clock signal, calculate a time interval of the self-timed clock signal and determine whether the time interval is equal to or larger than a threshold time to generate a metastable detection signal, wherein the time interval responds to the at least two first input signals, and the controller outputs the metastable detection signal as the start signal when the time interval is equal to or larger than the threshold time, so as to enable the first comparator to continue comparing the next differences of the at least two first input signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of controlling a signal comparison apparatus, comprising:
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receiving at least two first input signals; comparing differences of the at least two first input signals to generate an output signal based on a start signal; generating a self-timed clock signal according to the output signal; calculating a time interval of the self-timed clock signal, wherein the time interval responds to the at least two first input signals; and determining whether the time interval is equal to or larger than a threshold time to generate a metastable detection signal; wherein the metastable detection signal is selected as the start signal when the time interval is equal to or larger than the threshold time, so as to enable the signal comparison apparatus to continue comparing the next differences of the at least two first input signals. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification