Digital phase-locked device and method

Abstract

An improved digital phase-locked device and method for synchronizing incoming data (8) with a local clock (24) includes registers (12a,12b) which, when alternately triggered during each successive selection cycle, trap the states of waveforms supplied by a delay element string (11). A transition detector (13) detects transitions in these waveforms and provides to a selection means (17, 18, 19) a plurality of outputs, each corresponding directly to a respective clock position. Registers 19a, 19b of the selection register are alternately triggered by clock signals. Selection register 19 provides a window (SW) defining the maximum number of unique clock positions adjacent a then present clock position within which bit patterns are examined for determining whether any of the clock positions then within the window constitutes a valid local clock selection choice. While in a locked mode, if a bit pattern within window (SW) denotes only one local clock selection choice, that clock position is selected and locked as the local clock. If the bit pattern in window (SW) denotes none or more than one local clock selection choice, then unlocking is deferred until at least the next selection cycle. If during the deferral period, the bit pattern denotes only one clock selection choice, that clock position will be selected and locked as the local clock; otherwise unlocking will occur.