Abstract:
A time-interleaved (TI) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is provided. The TI ADC generally comprises a clock generator, two or more ADCs, adjustable delay elements, and an estimator. The clock generator generates clock signals. Each ADC is associated with at least one of the clock signals so as to sample an input signal that is generally wide-sense stationary at sampling instants, where correlation function exist between samples from a two or more of the ADCs that is a function of the time differences between associated sampling instants. The estimator is coupled to each of the adjustable delay elements and each of the ADCs so as to calculate the correlation function and adjust the adjustable delay elements to account for sampling mismatch between the ADCs based at least in part on the correlation function.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This application is claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 1638/CHE/2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and, more particularly, to a time-interleaved (TI) ADC. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the reference numeral  100  generally designates a conventional TI ADC. The TI ADC  100  generally comprises a divider  102 , ADCs  104 - 0  to  104 -(M−1), and a multiplexer or mux  106 . In operation, the divider  102  divides a clock signal CLK (with a frequency of F S ) into M clock signals (each with a frequency of F S /M) that are staggered and provided to ADCs  104 - 0  to  104 -(M−1). This allows each of ADCs  104 - 0  to  104 -(M−1) to convert the analog signal X(t) to digital output signals X 0 (k) to X M−1 (k) that can be multiplexed by mux  106  to generate a digital output signal X(k). 
         [0004]    ADCs  104 - 0  to  104 -(M−1), though, are not identical to each other; there are differences, which result in differences in the output signals X 0 (k) to X M−1 (k). Accordingly, each of the output signals X 0 (k) to X M−1 (k) can be modeled as follows: 
         [0000]        X   i ( k )= G   i   X (( kM+i ) T   S +δ i )+ DC   i   ∀iε[ 0 ,M− 1],  (1)
 
         [0000]    where G i , δ i , and DC i  are the gain, timing error, and DC offset for the ADC  104 - i , and where T S  is the period of clock signal CLK or the sampling period. Ideally, G i , δ i , and DC i  are equal to 1, 0, and 0 (respectively). A difficulty in the building and operation of a TI ADC, such as TI ADC  100 , is accounting for the timing error or sampling mismatches δ i . 
         [0005]    Some examples of conventional circuit are: U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,926; U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,017; U.S. Pat. No. 6,570,410; U.S. Pat. No. 6,771,203; U.S. Pat. No. 7,352,316; U.S. Pat. No. 7,501,967; U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2006/0097901; U.S. Patent Pre-Grant Publ. No. 2007/0069937; Vogel, “Comprehensive Error Analysis of Combined Channel Mismatch Effects in Time-Interleaved ADCs,”  Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference , pp. 733-738, May 20-22, 2003; Vogel et al., “Analysis and compensation of nonlinearity mismatches in time-interleaved ADC arrays,”  IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems , pp. 593-596, 2004; Vogel et al., “Compensation of timing mismatches in time-interleaved analog-to-digital converters through transfer characteristics tuning,” 47 th IEEE International Midwest Symposium on Circuits and Systems , pp. 1341-1344, 2004; Vogel, “A Frequency Domain Method for Blind Identification of Timing Mismatches in Time-Interleaved ADCs,”  Proceedings of the IEEE Norchip Conference  2006, pp. 45-48, Nov. 20-21, 2006; Saleem et al. “LMS-Based Identification and Compensation of Timing Mismatches in a Two-Channel Time-Interleaved Analog-to-Digital Converter,”  Proceedings of the IEEE Norchip Conference  2007, Nov. 19-20, 2007; Vogel et al. “Adaptive Blind Compensation of Gain and Timing Mismatches in M-Channel Time-Interleaved ADCs,”  Proceedings of the  14 th IEEE International Conference on Electronics, Circuits and Systems , pp. 49-52, Sep. 1-3, 2008; Vogel et al. “A Flexible and Scalable Structure to Compensate Frequency Response Mismatches in Time-Interleaved ADCs,”  IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I: Regular Papers , accepted for publication; and Elbornsson et al., “Blind Adaptive Equalization of Mismatch Errors in a Time-Interleaved A/D Converter System,”  IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems I: Regular Papers , pp. 151-158, Vol. 51, No. 1, January 2004. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention, accordingly, provides an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a clock generator that generates a plurality of clock signals; a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), wherein each ADC is associated with at least one of the clock signals so as to sample an input signal at a plurality of sampling instants, and wherein a correlation function exists between samples from a two or more of the ADCs; a correction circuit that is coupled between the clock generator and at least one of the ADCs; and an estimator that is coupled to the correction circuit and each of the ADCs, wherein the estimator calculates the correlation function and provides an adjustment to the correction circuit to account for sampling mismatch between the plurality of ADCs based at least in part on the correlation function. 
         [0007]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cost function that is a function of the time differences between associated sampling instants. 
         [0008]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the correction circuit further comprises a plurality of adjustable delay elements, wherein each adjustable delay element is coupled between the clock generator and at least one of the ADCs, and wherein the estimator adjusts at least one of the adjustable delay elements to account for sampling mismatch between the plurality of ADCs based at least in part on the correlation function. 
         [0009]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the clock generator further comprises a divider. 
         [0010]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the estimator iteratively determines adjustments for the delay elements by employing a gradient descent formulation for a predetermined cost function. 
         [0011]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined cost function (V) is: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   V 
                   = 
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       
                         i 
                         = 
                         1 
                       
                       M 
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 
                                   i 
                                   - 
                                   1 
                                 
                                 , 
                                 i 
                               
                             
                             - 
                             
                               
                                 R 
                                 xx 
                               
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   T 
                                   S 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               R 
                               xx 
                               ′ 
                             
                              
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 T 
                                 S 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                           
                         
                         ) 
                       
                       2 
                     
                   
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     = 
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           i 
                           = 
                           1 
                         
                         M 
                       
                        
                       
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               
                                 
                                   R 
                                   xx 
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   
                                     
                                       T 
                                       S 
                                     
                                     + 
                                     
                                       δ 
                                       i 
                                     
                                     - 
                                     
                                       δ 
                                       
                                         i 
                                         - 
                                         1 
                                       
                                     
                                   
                                   ) 
                                 
                               
                               - 
                               
                                 
                                   R 
                                   xx 
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   
                                     T 
                                     S 
                                   
                                   ) 
                                 
                               
                             
                             
                               
                                 R 
                                 xx 
                                 ′ 
                               
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   T 
                                   S 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                         2 
                       
                     
                   
                   , 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    so that 
         [0000]      Δ i   n+1 =Δ i   n +μ( R   i−1,i   −R   i,i+1 )
 
         [0000]    wherein R lm  denotes the correlation function between the l th  and m th  ADCs, Δ k   j  denotes a delay for the k th  iteration of the j th  delay element, δ p  is a timing error for the p th  ADC, and μ is less than 1 and greater than 0. 
         [0012]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined cost function (V) is: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   V 
                   = 
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       
                         i 
                         = 
                         1 
                       
                       M 
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 
                                   i 
                                   - 
                                   1 
                                 
                                 , 
                                 i 
                               
                             
                             - 
                             
                               
                                 R 
                                 xx 
                               
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   T 
                                   S 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               R 
                               xx 
                               ′ 
                             
                              
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 T 
                                 S 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                           
                         
                         ) 
                       
                       2 
                     
                   
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     = 
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           i 
                           = 
                           1 
                         
                         M 
                       
                        
                       
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               
                                 
                                   R 
                                   xx 
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   
                                     
                                       T 
                                       S 
                                     
                                     + 
                                     
                                       δ 
                                       i 
                                     
                                     - 
                                     
                                       δ 
                                       
                                         i 
                                         - 
                                         1 
                                       
                                     
                                   
                                   ) 
                                 
                               
                               - 
                               
                                 
                                   R 
                                   xx 
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   
                                     T 
                                     S 
                                   
                                   ) 
                                 
                               
                             
                             
                               
                                 R 
                                 xx 
                                 ′ 
                               
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   T 
                                   S 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                         2 
                       
                     
                   
                   , 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    so that 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 Δ 
                 i 
                 
                   n 
                   + 
                   1 
                 
               
               = 
               
                 
                   Δ 
                   i 
                   n 
                 
                 - 
                 
                   μ 
                    
                   
                     ( 
                     
                       
                         2 
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 
                                   i 
                                   - 
                                   1 
                                 
                                 , 
                                 i 
                               
                             
                             - 
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 i 
                                 , 
                                 
                                   i 
                                   + 
                                   1 
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           R 
                           xx 
                           ′ 
                         
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             T 
                             S 
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                     
                     ) 
                   
                 
               
             
             , 
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    wherein R lm  denotes the correlation function between the l th  and m th  ADCs, Δ k   j  denotes a delay for the k th  iteration of the jth delay element, δ p  is a delay for the p th  ADC, and μ is less than 1 and greater than 0. 
         [0013]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises: a differentiator that receive the input signal; and a coarse ADC that is coupled to the differentiator, the estimator, and the clock generator, wherein at least one of the clock signals is associated with the coarse ADC. 
         [0014]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of ADCs is a coarse ADC. 
         [0015]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cost function is a function of differences between associated sampling instants from the coarse ADC and at least one of the other ADCs. 
         [0016]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a clock generator that generates a plurality of clock signals; a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), wherein each ADC is associated with at least one of the clock signals so as to sample an input signal at a plurality of sampling instants, and wherein a correlation function exists between samples from a two or more of the ADCs; a correction circuit that is coupled between the clock generator and at least one of the ADCs; and an estimator that is coupled to each of the adjustable delay elements and each of the ADCs, wherein the estimator has a computer program product embodied thereon that includes: computer code for calculating the correlation function; and computer code for providing an adjustment to the correction circuit to account for sampling mismatch between the plurality of ADCs based at least in part on the correlation function. 
         [0017]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example of a conventional time-interleaved (TI) analog-to-digital converter (ADC); 
           [0020]      FIGS. 2A through 2D  are block diagrams of examples of TI ADCs in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a graph depicting sampling instants and an example of correlation function. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are, for the sake of clarity, not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several views. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 2A  of the drawings, the reference numeral  200 - 1  generally designates a TI ADC in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. TI ADC  200 - 1  has a similar construction to TI ADC  100 , but TI ADC  200 - 1  also generally comprises a correction circuit  201  (which is generally comprised of adjustable delay elements  202 - 1  to  202 -(M−1) or other digital schemes) and an estimator  204 . Preferably, delays  202 - 1  to  202 -(M−1) are coupled between divider  102  and ADCs  104 - 1  to  104 -(M−1) (respectively) so that each clock signal associated with one of ADCs  104 - 1  to  104 -(M−1) can be delayed. Estimator  204  receives each of the output signals X 0 (k) to X M−1 (k) so as to calculate the sampling mismatches  6 , between ADCs  104 - 1  to  104 -(M−1) and account for the mismatches δ i  by makes adjustments through correction circuit  201  or adjusting the adjustable delay elements  202 - 1  to  202 -(M−1). 
         [0024]    In general communications systems, signals are generally wide-sense stationary (WSS) over one block of samples in which estimations can be performed or are “block WSS”, which is primarily due to the generally random nature of the transmitted signals. Across multiple blocks of samples, signal statistics can change. Thus, input signal X(t) can generally be thought of as a WSS signal. As a result, a correlation function R i,j  exists between samples taken by different ADCs  104 - 1  to  104 -(M−1). This correlation function R i,j  is generally a function of the time difference τ between samples, which can be represented as follows: 
         [0000]        E[X ( t ) X ( t +τ)]= R   xx (τ)  (2)
 
         [0025]    Estimator  204 , preferably, exploits the correlation structure for these mismatches δ i . Essentially, the timing error δ 0  for the ADC  104 - 0  is assumed to be 0, and correlations are calculated between adjacent ADCs  104 - 1  to  104 -(M−1). The correlations R i,j  are generally represented as follows: 
         [0000]        R   i,i+1   =R   xx ( T   S +δ i+1 −δ i )∀ iε[ 0 ,M− 1]  (3)
 
         [0000]    Examples of correlations R 01 , R 12 , R 23 , and R 34  are shown in  FIG. 3 . Additionally, since the timing error or offsets δ i  are small (&lt;&lt;1), a first-order Taylor series approximation can be applied to equation (3) as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       R 
                       
                         i 
                         , 
                         
                           i 
                           + 
                           1 
                         
                       
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         
                           R 
                           xx 
                         
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             T 
                             S 
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                       + 
                       
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               δ 
                               
                                 i 
                                 + 
                                 1 
                               
                             
                             - 
                             
                               δ 
                               i 
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               
                                  
                                 
                                   R 
                                   xx 
                                 
                               
                               
                                  
                                 t 
                               
                             
                              
                             
                                
                               
                                 t 
                                 = 
                                 
                                   T 
                                   S 
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   , 
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   4 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    which can be further represented by the following matrix: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     [ 
                     
                       
                         
                           
                             R 
                             
                               0 
                               , 
                               1 
                             
                           
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           
                             R 
                             
                               1 
                               , 
                               2 
                             
                           
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           ⋮ 
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           
                             R 
                             
                               
                                 M 
                                 - 
                                 2 
                               
                               , 
                               
                                 M 
                                 - 
                                 1 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           
                             R 
                             
                               
                                 M 
                                 - 
                                 1 
                               
                               , 
                               0 
                             
                           
                         
                       
                     
                     ] 
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       [ 
                       
                         
                           
                             
                               R 
                               xx 
                               ′ 
                             
                           
                           
                             0 
                           
                           
                             … 
                           
                           
                             0 
                           
                           
                             1 
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               - 
                               
                                 R 
                                 xx 
                                 ′ 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               R 
                               xx 
                               ′ 
                             
                           
                           
                             … 
                           
                           
                             0 
                           
                           
                             1 
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             ⋮ 
                           
                           
                             ⋮ 
                           
                           
                             ⋱ 
                           
                           
                             ⋮ 
                           
                           
                             ⋮ 
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             0 
                           
                           
                             0 
                           
                           
                             … 
                           
                           
                             
                               R 
                               xx 
                               ′ 
                             
                           
                           
                             1 
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             0 
                           
                           
                             0 
                           
                           
                             … 
                           
                           
                             
                               - 
                               
                                 R 
                                 xx 
                                 ′ 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             1 
                           
                         
                       
                       ] 
                     
                      
                     
                       [ 
                       
                         
                           
                             
                               δ 
                               1 
                             
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               δ 
                               2 
                             
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             ⋮ 
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               δ 
                               
                                 M 
                                 - 
                                 1 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               
                                 R 
                                 xx 
                               
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   T 
                                   S 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                       
                       ] 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   5 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    Based on the matrix of equation (5), if R xx ′(T S ) is known (or some information about it is known), the matrix can be inverted explicitly or iteratively solved. 
         [0026]    One correlation scheme is presented below that eliminates R xx (T S ) and which allows for direct computation. Under this scheme, difference D i  is: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       D 
                       i 
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         
                           R 
                           
                             i 
                             , 
                             
                               i 
                               + 
                               1 
                             
                           
                         
                         - 
                         
                           R 
                           
                             
                               i 
                               - 
                               1 
                             
                             , 
                             i 
                           
                         
                       
                       ≈ 
                       
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               δ 
                               
                                 i 
                                 - 
                                 1 
                               
                             
                             - 
                             
                               2 
                                
                               
                                   
                               
                                
                               δ 
                             
                             + 
                             
                               δ 
                               
                                 i 
                                 + 
                                 1 
                               
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               
                                  
                                 
                                   R 
                                   xx 
                                 
                               
                               
                                  
                                 t 
                               
                             
                              
                             
                                
                               
                                 t 
                                 = 
                                 
                                   T 
                                   S 
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   , 
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   6 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    which can be represented by the following matrix: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     [ 
                     
                       
                         
                           
                             D 
                             1 
                           
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           
                             D 
                             2 
                           
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           
                             D 
                             3 
                           
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           ⋮ 
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           
                             D 
                             
                               M 
                               - 
                               2 
                             
                           
                         
                       
                       
                         
                           
                             D 
                             
                               M 
                               - 
                               1 
                             
                           
                         
                       
                     
                     ] 
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       
                         
                           R 
                           xx 
                           ′ 
                         
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             T 
                             s 
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                        
                       
                         [ 
                         
                           
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 2 
                               
                             
                             
                               1 
                             
                             
                               0 
                             
                             
                               … 
                             
                             
                               0 
                             
                             
                               0 
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               1 
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 2 
                               
                             
                             
                               1 
                             
                             
                               … 
                             
                             
                               0 
                             
                             
                               0 
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               0 
                             
                             
                               1 
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 2 
                               
                             
                             
                               … 
                             
                             
                               0 
                             
                             
                               0 
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               ⋮ 
                             
                             
                               ⋮ 
                             
                             
                               ⋮ 
                             
                             
                               ⋱ 
                             
                             
                               ⋮ 
                             
                             
                               ⋮ 
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               0 
                             
                             
                               0 
                             
                             
                               0 
                             
                             
                               … 
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 2 
                               
                             
                             
                               1 
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               0 
                             
                             
                               0 
                             
                             
                               0 
                             
                             
                               … 
                             
                             
                               1 
                             
                             
                               
                                 - 
                                 2 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                         ] 
                       
                     
                      
                     
                       [ 
                       
                         
                           
                             
                               δ 
                               1 
                             
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               δ 
                               2 
                             
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               δ 
                               3 
                             
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             ⋮ 
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               δ 
                               
                                 M 
                                 - 
                                 2 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                         
                           
                             
                               δ 
                               
                                 M 
                                 - 
                                 1 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                       
                       ] 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   7 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    Preferably, a low pass filter or an accumulator can operate on the product of adjacent samples to estimate each difference D i . These differences D i , which have been calculated by estimator  204 , are used to adjust delay elements  202 - 1  to  202 -(M−1) so that the clock signals from divider or clock generator  102  can be skewed to account for the sample mismatches. This correction method has the overhead of estimating R xx ′(T S ) accurately, but if this is ensured, it has very good accuracy and convergence. 
         [0027]    Alternatively, an iterative scheme can be employed by estimator  204 . Preferably, a method can be applied to a predetermined cost function V(δ 1 , . . . , δ M−1 ) to determine the delay Δ i  for delay element  202 - i . Because the delay Δ i  is essentially 1-dimensional for i, the delay Δ i  can be expressed as: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     Δ 
                     i 
                     
                       n 
                       + 
                       1 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       Δ 
                       i 
                       n 
                     
                     - 
                     
                       μ 
                        
                       
                         
                           ∂ 
                           V 
                         
                         
                           ∂ 
                           
                             δ 
                             i 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   8 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    Numerous cost functions V(δ 1 , . . . , δ M−1 ) can be employed; however, as an example the following cost function V(δ 1 , . . . , δ M−1 ) is used: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         V 
                         = 
                         
                           
                             ∑ 
                             
                               i 
                               = 
                               1 
                             
                             M 
                           
                            
                           
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     
                                       
                                         i 
                                         - 
                                         1 
                                       
                                       , 
                                       i 
                                     
                                   
                                   - 
                                   
                                     
                                       R 
                                       xx 
                                     
                                      
                                     
                                       ( 
                                       
                                         T 
                                         S 
                                       
                                       ) 
                                     
                                   
                                 
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     xx 
                                     ′ 
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       T 
                                       S 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                             2 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         = 
                         
                           
                             ∑ 
                             
                               i 
                               = 
                               1 
                             
                             M 
                           
                            
                           
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     
                                       R 
                                       xx 
                                     
                                      
                                     
                                       ( 
                                       
                                         
                                           T 
                                           S 
                                         
                                         + 
                                         
                                           δ 
                                           i 
                                         
                                         - 
                                         
                                           δ 
                                           
                                             i 
                                             - 
                                             1 
                                           
                                         
                                       
                                       ) 
                                     
                                   
                                   - 
                                   
                                     
                                       R 
                                       xx 
                                     
                                      
                                     
                                       ( 
                                       
                                         T 
                                         S 
                                       
                                       ) 
                                     
                                   
                                 
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     xx 
                                     ′ 
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       T 
                                       S 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                             2 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   9 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    Taking the partial derivative of equation (9) with respect to the timing error δ i  for ADC  104 - i  yields: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         
                           
                             ∂ 
                             V 
                           
                           
                             ∂ 
                             
                               δ 
                               i 
                             
                           
                         
                         = 
                           
                          
                         
                           2 
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     xx 
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       
                                         T 
                                         S 
                                       
                                       + 
                                       
                                         δ 
                                         i 
                                       
                                       - 
                                       
                                         δ 
                                         
                                           i 
                                           - 
                                           1 
                                         
                                       
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                                 - 
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     xx 
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       T 
                                       S 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     xx 
                                     ′ 
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       T 
                                       S 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                                 2 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                           
                          
                         
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 ∂ 
                                 
                                   ∂ 
                                   
                                     δ 
                                     i 
                                   
                                 
                               
                                
                               
                                 
                                   R 
                                   xx 
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   
                                     
                                       T 
                                       S 
                                     
                                     + 
                                     
                                       δ 
                                       i 
                                     
                                     - 
                                     
                                       δ 
                                       
                                         i 
                                         - 
                                         1 
                                       
                                     
                                   
                                   ) 
                                 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                           + 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                           
                          
                         
                           2 
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     xx 
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       
                                         T 
                                         S 
                                       
                                       + 
                                       
                                         δ 
                                         
                                           i 
                                           + 
                                           1 
                                         
                                       
                                       - 
                                       
                                         δ 
                                         i 
                                       
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                                 - 
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     xx 
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       T 
                                       S 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                               
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   
                                     
                                       R 
                                       xx 
                                       ′ 
                                     
                                      
                                     
                                       ( 
                                       
                                         T 
                                         S 
                                       
                                       ) 
                                     
                                   
                                   ) 
                                 
                                 2 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                           
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               ∂ 
                               
                                 ∂ 
                                 
                                   δ 
                                   i 
                                 
                               
                             
                              
                             
                               
                                 R 
                                 xx 
                               
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   
                                     T 
                                     S 
                                   
                                   + 
                                   
                                     δ 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                   
                                   - 
                                   
                                     δ 
                                     i 
                                   
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         ≈ 
                           
                          
                         
                           
                             2 
                             
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     xx 
                                     ′ 
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       T 
                                       S 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                               2 
                             
                           
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     
                                       ( 
                                       
                                         
                                           
                                             R 
                                             xx 
                                           
                                            
                                           
                                             ( 
                                             
                                               
                                                 T 
                                                 S 
                                               
                                               + 
                                               
                                                 δ 
                                                 i 
                                               
                                               - 
                                               
                                                 δ 
                                                 
                                                   i 
                                                   - 
                                                   1 
                                                 
                                               
                                             
                                             ) 
                                           
                                         
                                         - 
                                         
                                           
                                             R 
                                             xx 
                                           
                                            
                                           
                                             ( 
                                             
                                               T 
                                               S 
                                             
                                             ) 
                                           
                                         
                                       
                                       ) 
                                     
                                     - 
                                   
                                 
                               
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       
                                         
                                           R 
                                           xx 
                                         
                                          
                                         
                                           ( 
                                           
                                             
                                               T 
                                               S 
                                             
                                             + 
                                             
                                               δ 
                                               
                                                 i 
                                                 + 
                                                 1 
                                               
                                             
                                             - 
                                             
                                               δ 
                                               i 
                                             
                                           
                                           ) 
                                         
                                       
                                       - 
                                       
                                         
                                           R 
                                           xx 
                                         
                                          
                                         
                                           ( 
                                           
                                             T 
                                             S 
                                           
                                           ) 
                                         
                                       
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         = 
                           
                          
                         
                           
                             2 
                             
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     xx 
                                     ′ 
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       T 
                                       S 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                               2 
                             
                           
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     
                                       
                                         R 
                                         xx 
                                       
                                        
                                       
                                         ( 
                                         
                                           
                                             T 
                                             S 
                                           
                                           + 
                                           
                                             δ 
                                             i 
                                           
                                           - 
                                           
                                             δ 
                                             
                                               i 
                                               - 
                                               1 
                                             
                                           
                                         
                                         ) 
                                       
                                     
                                     - 
                                   
                                 
                               
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     
                                       R 
                                       xx 
                                     
                                      
                                     
                                       ( 
                                       
                                         
                                           T 
                                           S 
                                         
                                         + 
                                         
                                           δ 
                                           
                                             i 
                                             + 
                                             1 
                                           
                                         
                                         - 
                                         
                                           δ 
                                           i 
                                         
                                       
                                       ) 
                                     
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   
                     
                       
                         = 
                           
                          
                         
                           2 
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   R 
                                   
                                     
                                       i 
                                       - 
                                       1 
                                     
                                     , 
                                     i 
                                   
                                 
                                 - 
                                 
                                   R 
                                   
                                     i 
                                     , 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                   
                                 
                               
                               
                                 
                                   R 
                                   xx 
                                   ′ 
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   
                                     T 
                                     S 
                                   
                                   ) 
                                 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   10 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    From equation (10), the sign of R xx ′(T S ) is important, and for most practical cases of interest, R xx ′(T S )&lt;0 because: 
         [0000]        R   xx (τ)=cos(2 πf   c τ)           R   xx ′( T   S )=−2 πf   c  sin(2 πf   c   T   S ),  (11)
 
         [0000]    which indicates that R xx ′(T S )&gt;0 for f c &gt;1/2T S =F S /2 (greater than the Nyquist frequency). Thus, R xx ′(T S ) will almost always be negative, allowing one to express equation (8) as: 
         [0000]      Δ i   n+1 =Δ i   n +μ( R   i−1,i   −R   i,i+1 ),  (12)
 
         [0000]    which should converge for: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   0 
                   &lt; 
                   μ 
                   &lt; 
                   
                     
                       2 
                       
                         max 
                         ( 
                         
                            
                           
                             
                               R 
                               xx 
                               ′ 
                             
                              
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 T 
                                 S 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                           
                            
                         
                       
                     
                     . 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   13 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    Therefore, this scheme can be implemented in a relatively simple system, but experiences poor convergence, especially when the input signal X(t) is dominated by low frequency components. 
         [0028]    As another alternative, a static value can be used for R xx ′(T S ) instead of relying on the sign of R xx ′(T S ). In this scheme, equation (8) can be expressed (with the use of equation (10)) as: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     Δ 
                     i 
                     
                       n 
                       + 
                       1 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       Δ 
                       i 
                       n 
                     
                     - 
                     
                       
                         μ 
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               2 
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     
                                       
                                         i 
                                         - 
                                         1 
                                       
                                       , 
                                       i 
                                     
                                   
                                   - 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       , 
                                       
                                         i 
                                         + 
                                         1 
                                       
                                     
                                   
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                             
                               
                                 R 
                                 xx 
                                 ′ 
                               
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   T 
                                   S 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                       . 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   14 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    In this scheme, 0&lt;μ≦1 to be stable, and R xx ′(T S ) can be estimated using a finite difference by modifying the timing offsets deliberately by a small value. Additionally, R xx ′(T S ) can be averaged across different ADCs  104 - 0  to  104 -(M−1) to further improve estimation. By using this scheme, loop convergence is independent of frequency with rapid convergence, but if the statistical properties of the input signal X(t) vary, the TI ADC  200 - 1  may become unstable if the initial estimate of R xx ′(T S ) is used across multiple blocks. For signals whose statistical properties change slowly over time, this operation may be performed periodically to get a good estimate of R xx ′(T S ). 
         [0029]    Turning now to  FIG. 2B , TI ADC  200 - 2  can be seen, which dynamically estimates R xx ′(T S ). A difference between TI ADCs  200 - 1  and  200 - 2  is the use of differentiator  206  and coarse ADC  208  in TI ADC  200 - 2 . A reason to utilize these additional components is to employ a dynamic slope estimation. Preferably, equation (2) can be differentiated and expressed as: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     E 
                      
                     
                       [ 
                       
                         
                           X 
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             t 
                             ) 
                           
                         
                          
                         
                           
                              
                             
                               X 
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   t 
                                   + 
                                   τ 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                              
                             τ 
                           
                         
                       
                       ] 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       
                         R 
                         xx 
                         ′ 
                       
                        
                       
                         ( 
                         τ 
                         ) 
                       
                     
                     . 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   15 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    Thus, for difference for differences γ from period T S , R xx ′(T S +γ) is: 
         [0000]        R   xx ′( T   S +γ)= R   xx ′( T   S )+γ R   xx ″( T   S ),  (16)
 
         [0000]    which has a general form of: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       R 
                       xx 
                       ′ 
                     
                      
                     
                       ( 
                       
                         T 
                         S 
                       
                       ) 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       1 
                       M 
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           i 
                           = 
                           0 
                         
                         
                           M 
                           - 
                           1 
                         
                       
                        
                       
                         
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               - 
                               1 
                             
                             ) 
                           
                           n 
                         
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               
                                 R 
                                 xx 
                                 ′ 
                               
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   T 
                                   S 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                             + 
                             
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   
                                     δ 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                   
                                   - 
                                   
                                     δ 
                                     i 
                                   
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                                
                               
                                 
                                   R 
                                   xx 
                                   ″ 
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   
                                     T 
                                     S 
                                   
                                   ) 
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   17 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    By employing this scheme, convergence occurs even if signal statistics change over time, but this scheme is more complex than the other schemes described above. 
         [0030]    Moreover, estimator  204  and/or multiplexer  106  may be replaced by a processor, such as a digital signals processor (DSP), and the computation of the correlation function and adjustments of the delay elements  202 - 2  to  202 -(M−1) may be performed through hardware or software. 
         [0031]    Turning to  FIG. 2C , TI ADC  200 - 3  can be seen, which can be used for non-stationary signals. For stationary signals, correlation function R i,j  can be estimated as a time average if ergodicity is assumed to be 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         R 
                         xx 
                       
                        
                       
                         ( 
                         τ 
                         ) 
                       
                     
                     ≈ 
                     
                       
                         1 
                         N 
                       
                        
                       
                         
                           ∑ 
                           
                             = 
                             0 
                           
                           
                             N 
                             - 
                             1 
                           
                         
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         
                           
                             x 
                              
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 t 
                                 k 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                           
                            
                           
                             x 
                              
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 
                                   t 
                                   k 
                                 
                                 + 
                                 τ 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   , 
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   18 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    which will generally hold true for any set of distinct time samples {t k } and which can be computed using the set of samples corresponding to {t k } and {t k +τ}. In general, such as with cases of deterministic and/or periodic signals, the time averaged autocorrelation will depend on the exact sample times used, and no assumptions about uniformity of correlation across different set of samples can be made such that: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       R 
                       xx 
                     
                      
                     
                       ( 
                       
                         
                           { 
                           
                             t 
                             k 
                           
                           } 
                         
                         , 
                         τ 
                       
                       ) 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       1 
                       N 
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           k 
                           = 
                           0 
                         
                         
                           N 
                           - 
                           1 
                         
                       
                        
                       
                         x 
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             t 
                             k 
                           
                           ) 
                         
                          
                         
                           
                             x 
                              
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 
                                   t 
                                   k 
                                 
                                 + 
                                 τ 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                           
                           . 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   19 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0032]    In order to handle such a scenario,  FIG. 2C , employs the use of coarse ADC  210 - 1 , which receives the input signal X(t), operates at the full frequency of the clock signal CLK, and outputs a coarse (lower accuracy compared to ADCs  104 - 0  to  104 -(M−1)) digital signal X C (k). Based on this configuration, the outputs for ADC  210 - 1  and  104 - 0  to  104 -(M−1) can be represented (respectively) as: 
         [0000]      X C (k)≈X(kT S )  (20)
 
         [0000]        X   i ( k )= X (( kM+i ) T   S +δ i )∀ iε[ 0,M−1]  (21)
 
         [0000]    The following correlations can then be constructed based on equations (20) and (21): 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     R 
                     
                       i 
                       , 
                       
                         C 
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             i 
                             + 
                             1 
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       1 
                       N 
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           k 
                           = 
                           0 
                         
                         
                           N 
                           - 
                           1 
                         
                       
                        
                       
                         
                           X 
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   
                                     kM 
                                     + 
                                     i 
                                   
                                   ) 
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                   T 
                                   s 
                                 
                               
                               + 
                               
                                 δ 
                                 i 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                          
                         
                           
                             X 
                             c 
                           
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   kM 
                                   + 
                                   i 
                                   + 
                                   1 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                                
                               
                                 T 
                                 s 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   22 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     R 
                     
                       
                         C 
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           i 
                           ) 
                         
                       
                       , 
                       
                         C 
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             i 
                             + 
                             1 
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       1 
                       N 
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           k 
                           = 
                           0 
                         
                         
                           N 
                           - 
                           1 
                         
                       
                        
                       
                         
                           
                             X 
                             c 
                           
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   kM 
                                   + 
                                   i 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                                
                               
                                 T 
                                 s 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                          
                         
                           
                             X 
                             c 
                           
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   kM 
                                   + 
                                   i 
                                   + 
                                   1 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                                
                               
                                 T 
                                 s 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   23 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     R 
                     
                       
                         
                           C 
                           ′ 
                         
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           i 
                           ) 
                         
                       
                       , 
                       
                         C 
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             i 
                             + 
                             1 
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       1 
                       N 
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           k 
                           = 
                           0 
                         
                         
                           N 
                           - 
                           1 
                         
                       
                        
                       
                         
                           
                             X 
                             c 
                             ′ 
                           
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   kM 
                                   + 
                                   i 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                                
                               
                                 T 
                                 s 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                          
                         
                           
                             X 
                             c 
                           
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   kM 
                                   + 
                                   i 
                                   + 
                                   1 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                                
                               
                                 T 
                                 s 
                               
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   24 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    Now applying the first-order Taylor series approximation to ADC  200 - 3 , the correlations R i,j  can be represented as follows: 
         [0000]      R i,C(i+1) ≈R C(i),C(i+1) +δ i R C′(i),C(i+1)   (25)
 
         [0000]    Preferably, a method can now be applied to a predetermined cost function V(δ 1 , . . . , δ M−1 ) to determine the delay Δ i  for delay element  202 - i . Because the delay Δ i  is essentially 1-dimensional for i, the delay Δ i  can be expressed as equation (8). Numerous cost functions V(δ 1 , . . . , δ M−1 ) can be employed; however, as an example the following cost function V(δ 1 , . . . , δ M−1 ) is used: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   V 
                   = 
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       
                         i 
                         = 
                         1 
                       
                       M 
                     
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 i 
                                 , 
                                 
                                   C 
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                             - 
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 
                                   C 
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     i 
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                                 , 
                                 
                                   C 
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             R 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   C 
                                   ′ 
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   i 
                                   ) 
                                 
                               
                               , 
                               
                                 C 
                                  
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   
                                     i 
                                     + 
                                     1 
                                   
                                   ) 
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                         ) 
                       
                       2 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   26 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    Taking the partial derivative of equation (26) with respect to the timing error δ i  for ADC  104 - i  yields: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       ∂ 
                       V 
                     
                     
                       ∂ 
                       
                         δ 
                         i 
                       
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       2 
                        
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 i 
                                 , 
                                 
                                   C 
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                             - 
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 
                                   C 
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     i 
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                                 , 
                                 
                                   C 
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 R 
                                 
                                   
                                     
                                       C 
                                       ′ 
                                     
                                      
                                     
                                       ( 
                                       i 
                                       ) 
                                     
                                   
                                   , 
                                   
                                     C 
                                      
                                     
                                       ( 
                                       
                                         i 
                                         + 
                                         1 
                                       
                                       ) 
                                     
                                   
                                 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                             2 
                           
                         
                         ) 
                       
                        
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           
                             ∂ 
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 i 
                                 , 
                                 
                                   C 
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             ∂ 
                             
                               δ 
                               i 
                             
                           
                         
                         ) 
                       
                     
                     ≈ 
                     
                       2 
                        
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 i 
                                 , 
                                 
                                   C 
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                             - 
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 
                                   C 
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     i 
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                                 , 
                                 
                                   C 
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             R 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   C 
                                   ′ 
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   i 
                                   ) 
                                 
                               
                               , 
                               
                                 C 
                                  
                                 
                                   ( 
                                   
                                     i 
                                     + 
                                     1 
                                   
                                   ) 
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                         ) 
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   27 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    Thus, equation (8) can be expressed as: 
         [0000]      Δ i   n+1 =Δ i   n +μ( R   i,C(i+1)   −R   C(i),C(i+1) ) for μ&gt;0,  (28)
 
         [0000]    Equation (28) can also be estimated using a finite difference method yielding: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       Δ 
                       i 
                       
                         n 
                         + 
                         1 
                       
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         
                           Δ 
                           i 
                           n 
                         
                         - 
                         
                           μ 
                            
                           
                             
                               2 
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       , 
                                       
                                         C 
                                          
                                         
                                           ( 
                                           
                                             i 
                                             + 
                                             1 
                                           
                                           ) 
                                         
                                       
                                     
                                   
                                   - 
                                   
                                     R 
                                     
                                       
                                         C 
                                          
                                         
                                           ( 
                                           i 
                                           ) 
                                         
                                       
                                       , 
                                       
                                         C 
                                          
                                         
                                           ( 
                                           
                                             i 
                                             + 
                                             1 
                                           
                                           ) 
                                         
                                       
                                     
                                   
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                             
                               R 
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     C 
                                     ′ 
                                   
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     i 
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                                 , 
                                 
                                   C 
                                    
                                   
                                     ( 
                                     
                                       i 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                     ) 
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                           
                            
                           
                               
                           
                            
                           for 
                            
                           
                               
                           
                            
                           μ 
                         
                       
                       &gt; 
                       0 
                     
                   
                   , 
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   29 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    which allows the numerator (R i,C(i+1) −R C(i),C(i+1)  to be calculated initially because of common terms in the expression while the denominator 2R C(i′),C(i+1)  is calculated more often to track the time-varying statistics of the input signal X(t). 
         [0033]    Turning to  FIG. 2D , TI ADC  200 - 4  can be seen, which can be also used for non-stationary signals. A difference between ADC  200 - 3  and ADC  200 - 4  is that ADC  200 - 4  also employs differentiator  206  and coarse ADC  210 - 2 . For this configuration, the outputs for ADC  210 - 1  and  104 - 0  to  104 -(M−1) can be represented (respectively) as equations (20) and (21) above, while the output of ADC  210 - 2  is: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         X 
                         C 
                         ′ 
                       
                        
                       
                         ( 
                         k 
                         ) 
                       
                     
                     ≈ 
                     
                       
                          
                         
                           X 
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             t 
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                       
                          
                         t 
                       
                     
                   
                    
                   
                      
                     
                       t 
                       = 
                       
                         kT 
                         s 
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   30 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    so that equation (15) above applies, and similarly, using the analysis for ADC  200 - 2  and ADC  200 - 3 , the delays can be calculated. As an example (using TI ADC  200 - 4 ), one can consider the non-trivial case of a two tone input signal having the form: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       x 
                        
                       
                         ( 
                         t 
                         ) 
                       
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         cos 
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               ω 
                               1 
                             
                              
                             t 
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                       - 
                       
                         cos 
                          
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               
                                 ω 
                                 2 
                               
                                
                               t 
                             
                             - 
                             θ 
                           
                           ) 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   , 
                   
                     
 
                   
                    
                   where 
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   31 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         ω 
                         1 
                       
                       - 
                       
                         ω 
                         2 
                       
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         2 
                          
                         π 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         
                           F 
                           s 
                         
                       
                       M 
                     
                   
                    
                   
                     
 
                   
                    
                   and 
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   32 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     ω 
                     1 
                   
                   ≠ 
                   
                     ω 
                     2 
                   
                   ≠ 
                   0. 
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   33 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    The time averaged correlations from equation (22) can be shown to be: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       R 
                       
                         i 
                         , 
                         
                           C 
                            
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               i 
                               + 
                               1 
                             
                             ) 
                           
                         
                       
                     
                     ≈ 
                     
                       
                         R 
                         
                           
                             C 
                              
                             
                               ( 
                               i 
                               ) 
                             
                           
                           , 
                           
                             C 
                              
                             
                               ( 
                               
                                 i 
                                 + 
                                 1 
                               
                               ) 
                             
                           
                         
                       
                       + 
                       
                         
                           δ 
                           i 
                         
                          
                         
                           R 
                           
                             
                               C 
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   i 
                                   ′ 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                             , 
                             
                               C 
                                
                               
                                 ( 
                                 
                                   i 
                                   + 
                                   1 
                                 
                                 ) 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       { 
                       
                         
                           
                             1 
                             2 
                           
                            
                           
                             [ 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     
                                       cos 
                                        
                                       
                                         ( 
                                         
                                           
                                             ω 
                                             1 
                                           
                                            
                                           
                                             T 
                                             s 
                                           
                                         
                                         ) 
                                       
                                     
                                     + 
                                   
                                 
                               
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     cos 
                                      
                                     
                                       ( 
                                       
                                         
                                           ω 
                                           2 
                                         
                                          
                                         
                                           T 
                                           s 
                                         
                                       
                                       ) 
                                     
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                             ] 
                           
                         
                         + 
                         
                           
                             1 
                             2 
                           
                            
                           
                             [ 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     
                                       cos 
                                        
                                       
                                         ( 
                                         
                                           
                                             
                                               2 
                                                
                                               π 
                                                
                                               
                                                   
                                               
                                                
                                               i 
                                             
                                             M 
                                           
                                           + 
                                           
                                             
                                               ω 
                                               2 
                                             
                                              
                                             
                                               T 
                                               s 
                                             
                                           
                                           + 
                                           θ 
                                         
                                         ) 
                                       
                                     
                                     + 
                                   
                                 
                               
                               
                                 
                                   
                                     cos 
                                      
                                     
                                       ( 
                                       
                                         
                                           
                                             2 
                                              
                                             π 
                                              
                                             
                                                 
                                             
                                              
                                             i 
                                           
                                           M 
                                         
                                         + 
                                         
                                           
                                             ω 
                                             1 
                                           
                                            
                                           
                                             T 
                                             s 
                                           
                                         
                                         + 
                                         θ 
                                       
                                       ) 
                                     
                                   
                                 
                               
                             
                             ] 
                           
                         
                       
                       } 
                     
                     + 
                     
                       
                         δ 
                         i 
                       
                        
                       
                         { 
                         
                           
                             
                               
                                 
                                   [ 
                                   
                                     
                                       
                                         
                                           ω 
                                           1 
                                         
                                         2 
                                       
                                        
                                       
                                         sin 
                                          
                                         
                                           ( 
                                           
                                             
                                               ω 
                                               1 
                                             
                                              
                                             
                                               T 
                                               s 
                                             
                                           
                                           ) 
                                         
                                       
                                     
                                     + 
                                     
                                       
                                         
                                           ω 
                                           2 
                                         
                                         2 
                                       
                                        
                                       
                                         sin 
                                          
                                         
                                           ( 
                                           
                                             
                                               ω 
                                               2 
                                             
                                              
                                             
                                               T 
                                               s 
                                             
                                           
                                           ) 
                                         
                                       
                                     
                                   
                                   ] 
                                 
                                 - 
                               
                             
                           
                           
                             
                               
                                 [ 
                                 
                                   
                                     
                                       
                                         
                                           
                                             
                                               ω 
                                               1 
                                             
                                             2 
                                           
                                            
                                           
                                             cos 
                                              
                                             
                                               ( 
                                               
                                                 
                                                   
                                                     2 
                                                      
                                                     π 
                                                      
                                                     
                                                         
                                                     
                                                      
                                                     i 
                                                   
                                                   M 
                                                 
                                                 + 
                                                 
                                                   
                                                     ω 
                                                     2 
                                                   
                                                    
                                                   
                                                     T 
                                                     s 
                                                   
                                                 
                                                 + 
                                                 θ 
                                               
                                               ) 
                                             
                                           
                                         
                                         + 
                                       
                                     
                                   
                                   
                                     
                                       
                                         
                                           
                                             ω 
                                             2 
                                           
                                           2 
                                         
                                          
                                         
                                           cos 
                                            
                                           
                                             ( 
                                             
                                               
                                                 
                                                   2 
                                                    
                                                   π 
                                                    
                                                   
                                                       
                                                   
                                                    
                                                   i 
                                                 
                                                 M 
                                               
                                               + 
                                               
                                                 
                                                   ω 
                                                   1 
                                                 
                                                  
                                                 
                                                   T 
                                                   s 
                                                 
                                               
                                               + 
                                               θ 
                                             
                                             ) 
                                           
                                         
                                       
                                     
                                   
                                 
                                 ] 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                         } 
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   34 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
       Therefore, for M=8, F S =2, ω 1 =2πF S /40, ω 2 =8πF S /40, and θ=π/3, R C(i′),C(i+1)  is (−0.35, −0.28, 0.18, 0.77, 1.14, 1.07, 0.60, 0.02). 
       [0034]    Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.