Phase detector in a digital phase reference source

A basic structure of a computer controlled digital phase reference source is described in the paper and the need for some kind of phase measuring device, as a part of the system, is stressed out. A novel approach to the design of such a device, as a means for phase correction of output phase of the digital phase source, is proposed in the paper. The phase measuring device within a feedback phase correction loop functions as a phase auto-zero circuit. The proposed auto-zero circuit uses two independent measurement methods. Measurement results, taken on the prototype of the proposed measurement system are presented. By that, the system's performance is evaluated and the level of agreement between the results, taken using each of the two methods, is discussed. The advantages, as well as the drawbacks, of each of the two methods are revealed.