Automatic low noise sampling of image and timing signals and signal delay compensation

摘要

A system is provided that measures the delay time of a first timing signal transmitted from a control unit to an imager and back to a phase detector. The phase detector also receives a second timing signal that is used as a reference to measure against the received/delayed first timing signal. Based on the phase detection, the system will retard or advance the first timing signal to compensate for the phase shift.

主权项

1. An imaging system comprising:
an imager generating image data; a control unit connected to said imager, said control unit including:
a timing generator generating a timing signal;a video processor for processing the image data;a signal delay compensation circuit having:
an analog front end circuit generating a first timing signal and a second timing signal where the first and second timing signals each have either a high signal state or a low signal state, and where the first timing signal is sent to said imager and the image data is transmitted to said analog front end circuit;a phase detection circuit coupled to said analog front end circuit and receiving the second timing signal; said phase detection circuit coupled to said imager and receiving the first timing signal transmitted from said imager; said phase detection circuit making a plurality of comparisons between the signal state of the first timing signal received from said imager to the signal state of said second timing signal; wherein if the signal state of the first timing signal is out of phase with the signal state of the second timing signal during the plurality of comparisons, the signal delay compensation circuit modifies the phase of the first timing signal; and wherein if the signal state for the first timing signal is in phase with the signal state of the second timing signal during the plurality of comparisons, the signal delay compensation circuit does not modify the phase of the first timing signal.