Patent ID: 7304909

Claim:
A control unit for generating and outputting periodic clock signals, which are in sync with and at the same frequency as a periodic basic clock which is input into it, and periodic control signals, which are likewise in sync with the basic clock, and for activating/deactivating output of at least one of the clock signals in reaction to an activation/deactivation signal, supplied to the control unit externally, to a synchronous parallel/serial converter executing synchronization and serialization of a parallel-applied data signal in sync with the basic clock, the control unit further comprising: turn-off means for turning off output of at least the clock signal and optionally the control signals as soon as the activation/deactivation signal assumes its deactivation state; and synchronization and turn-on means for turning on output of the clock signal in sync with the next edge of the basic clock that immediately follows the time at which the activation/deactivation signal assumes its activation state.