Patent ID: 7298194

Claim:
A steering current generator for a phase interpolator, comprising: a plurality of steering current outputs, first and second summing nodes, a plurality of current source blocks, each having two output legs respectively connected to one of the summing nodes, having a first control input and being responsive to the first control input to switch an output current to one or other of the legs, first and second switching circuit stages, each having a current input respectively connected to one of the summing nodes and a second control input, and each being connected so that in response to the second control input they switch the currents from their respective summing nodes to different ones of the steering current outputs wherein the first switching circuit stage is connected to switch the current from the first summing node to either a first or a second one of the current steering outputs and the second switching circuit stage is connected to switch the current from the first summing node to either a third or a fourth one of the current steering outputs, the third and fourth ones being different from the first and second ones.