Apparatus and method for data synchronizing and tracking

This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for asynchronous data synchronizing and tracking, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for asynchronous data synchronizing and tracking that utilizes a plurality of clocks oscillating at different phases to set up a plurality of sampling windows for receiving asynchronous data therein, and to develop an synchronous clock based on the particular sampling window in which the data was received. An apparatus and method for synchronizing and tracking an input data stream and for generating a synchronous clock therefrom, comprising means for generating a plurality of clock signals oscillating at substantially the same frequency, but with different phases; a plurality of delay lines having a common data input for receiving said input data stream, each delay line having multiple delay elements connected in series and having a common clock input for receiving one of said clock signals for clocking data of said data stream along said delay line in a direction away from said common data input; means for detecting which of said plurality of delay lines said data from said data stream is propagating therein; and means for generating the synchronous clock based on one of said clock signals that clocks the delay line that data from said data stream is propagating therein.