Texas Instruments Corporation

Jim A Carey

Karl M Guttag

Derek Roskell

John V Schabowski

Marvin C Conrad

Brian Shore

A digital synchronizer circuit including an input to receive an asynchronous level and a second input to receive an ansynchronous pulse. Both inputs are connected to the synchronizer input circuitry which will provide a level output for either type of input signal. This circuitry is connected to the remainder of the digital synchronizer which includes a latch connected to the level input and a level sensitive circuit connected to the output of the latch. The latch is constructed to provide a rapid transition between a logic '0' and '1'. In addition, the latch is periodically cleared. The level sensitive circuit provides a propagation barrier to any metastable state that may be present in the latch. However, the level sensitive circuit is also constructed for rapid transition from a logic '0' to a logic '1' when such a state occurs within the latch. An additional latch is connected in a further embodiment to provide additional reliability of the synchronizer circuit. The second latch is a two inverter latch with refresh for a three quarter of a machine cycle to allow any transient conditions within the latch to dampen out.

Growing community of inventors

Bedford, United Kingdom

Jim A Carey