Patent ID: 8786375
Filing Date: 2014-07-22
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A method for generating periodic signal, the method comprising: providing a plurality of n capacitive storage elements, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and wherein each capacitive storage element contains a first amount of charge in a first charging state and a second amount of charge in a second charging state; and providing at least two separate threshold detector circuits, with each capacitive storage element having one threshold detector circuit associated thereto, and with each threshold detector circuit being connected to detect a charging state of at least one associated capacitive storage element; generating one period of the periodic signal such that the period includes at least n subsequent sub-periods, wherein generating each sub-period comprises: changing the charging state of the at least one capacitive storage element from the first charging state to the second charging state when the associated threshold detector circuit detects that the first charging state has been reached, wherein changing the charging state comprises providing a constant charging current to the at least one capacitive storage element, and setting back the charging state of the at least one capacitive storage element to the first charging state from the second charging state after the sub-period when the associated threshold detector circuit detects that the second charging state has been reached.