Arbitrary waveform synthesizer to generate one or more arbitrary waveforms

Abstract

A waveform generator includes a plurality of delay elements such as in a delay line circuit of a free-running oscillator, phase locked loop (PLL) circuit or delay locked loop (DLL) circuit, an algebra module, a switching module and an output module. The oscillator includes a plurality of delay elements and a plurality of taps disposed between the delay elements, with each tap providing a uniquely phased, oscillating transition signal. The algebra module includes an algebra data input port, a clock input port and an algebra data output port. The algebra module generates a signal at the algebra data output port indicating a first rising edge of the arbitrary waveform in response to a signal received at the algebra data input port. The switching module includes a switch input port in electrical communication with the algebra data output port, a plurality of switch tap input ports in electrical communication oscillator taps and switch output port. At the switch output port, the switch module provides a first transition signal selected from one of the plurality of oscillator taps in response to the signal indicative of a first rising edge received at the switch input port. The output module includes a transition signal input port in electrical communication with the switch output port, a window input port in electrical communication with the algebra data output port and a waveform output port in electrical communication with the clock input port of the algebra module. In order to generate multiple output waveforms, there may be a plurality of switching modules and a corresponding plurality of output modules. Each corresponding switching module/output module pair is dedicated to producing a corresponding output signal.