Patent ID: 8581668

Claim:
A multiphase oscillator comprising: one or an odd number of means for reversing a polarity of a wave traveling thereon; a pair of conductors arranged to form a closed loop when coupled with the polarity reversing means such that the wave traveling between the conductors imparts a first polarity between the conductors after a first traversal of the closed loop and a second polarity after a second traversal of the loop, wherein the pair of conductors comprises a first conductor and a second conductor; and a plurality of regeneration devices, each said regeneration device connected between the pair of conductors of the closed loop at a particular position on the loop and having an output that matches the polarity between the conductors at the position of the regeneration device after a traveling wave has passed the position, each said regeneration device having an output that transitions as the traveling wave is passing the position of the device, said transition including a dwell time during which the device output neither sources nor sinks current, wherein a first regeneration device of the plurality of regeneration devices comprises a first input, a second input, an output, and at least two transistors electrically connected in series, wherein the first and second inputs are connected to different positions on the first conductor, and wherein the output of the first regeneration device is connected to the second conductor, wherein the output of the first regeneration device is in a high-impedance state during the dwell time.