Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a frequency generation circuit including a control module, an oscillator circuit coupled to the control module, the oscillator circuit having a start-up time defined by the time required to reach a desired frequency. The oscillator circuit includes an amplifier having an input and an output and being programmably-alterable by the control module, a first capacitor coupled to the input of the amplifier and being programmably-alterable, in capacitance, by the control module, a second capacitor coupled to the output of the amplifier, a crystal resonator coupled to the first and second capacitors for generating an output signal having a desired frequency, wherein fast start-up time is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring CPT is disclosed. The apparatus includes a quantum absorber that is irradiated by radiation from an electromagnetic radiation source. The quantum absorber includes a material that exhibits CPT. The electromagnetic radiation source generates electromagnetic radiation having first and second CPT-generating frequency components. The first CPT-generating frequency component has a frequency ?L??, and a first CPT component amplitude. The second CPT generating frequency component has a frequency ?L+? and a second CPT component amplitude. The apparatus also includes a detector for generating a detector signal related to the power of electromagnetic radiation that leaves the quantum absorber. The detector signal exhibits an asymmetry as a function of frequency ? in a frequency range about a frequency ?0. The apparatus includes an asymmetry servo loop that alters one of ?L, the first CPT component amplitude, and the second CPT component amplitude to reduce the asymmetry.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for tracking the poles of an integrated RC filter as well as the absolute value of a current source. A single tracking oscillator contains integrated elements such as a programmable resistor and fixed capacitor or a programmable capacitor and fixed resistor. The programmable element is programmed such that a particular response from the RC filter is achieved and the word used to program the programmable element is then supplied to other integrated RC filters having components that were fabricated at the same time as the RC filter in the tracking oscillator. A highly accurate external capacitor or resistor is supplied to determinate the absolute value of the programming element, which is used to program one or more current sources containing the programmable resistor.

Abstract: A tunable oscillator suitable for use in a frequency synthesizer of a transceiver is controlled by varying one or more parameters associated with the oscillator. In particular, a digital control signal affects one or more of the capacitances of the oscillator, the bias voltage of the oscillator, the supply voltage, or the bias current of the oscillator. Changes to one or more of these parameters allows the frequency of the oscillator to be controlled as desired.

Abstract: A time-to-digital converter comprises a ring oscillator, a counter, an encoder, and a multi-bit latch. The ring oscillator comprises a first input and a clock input, as well as, a first output responsive to a single cycle of the ring oscillator and a second output responsive to a signal applied at the first input. A counter coupled to the first output generates a first binary word. An encoder coupled to the second output generates a second binary word. The multi-bit latch receives the first and second binary words and generates a composite representation of a phase-frequency error signal. The time-to-digital converter is well suited for digital phase-locked loops used in communications applications and digital phase-locked loops in electromechanical control systems that require high-precision phase-frequency error detection.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method computes the steady-state and control voltage of a voltage controlled oscillator, given a known frequency or a known period of oscillation of the voltage controlled oscillator. Differential algebraic equations representative of the voltage controlled oscillator are generated, where the differential algebraic equations includes a known period or frequency of oscillation and an unknown control voltage of the voltage controlled oscillator. The differential algebraic equations are modified using a finite difference method, a shooting method, or a harmonic balance method, to obtain a set of matrix equations corresponding to the differential algebraic equations. A solution to the matrix equations is obtained using a Krylov subspace method, using a preconditioner for the Krylov subspace method that is derived from a Jacobian matrix corresponding to the matrix equations, where the solution includes the control voltage of the voltage controlled oscillator in steady state.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention is a method that can include utilizing a ring oscillator module to determine a process corner of an integrated circuit as fabricated that includes the ring oscillator module. The impedance of an output driver of the integrated circuit can be altered based on the process corner of the integrated circuit as fabricated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a phase-locked loop (PLL) device includes test circuitry for entering/exiting a test mode upon receiving a particular pulse train at a reference clock input of the PLL. In addition, exemplary methods are provided herein for entering a test mode and detecting loop filter leakage within the PLL. The methods described herein are performed without the use of a dedicated test pin.

Abstract: An inverting circuit comprises a first inverter in a main path having a first input and a common ouput. A second inverter receives the first input and is coupled with a first voltage controlled pass gate to the common output. A third inverter couples a second input to the common output using a second voltage controlled pass gate. A fourth inverter couples the second input to the common output using the first voltage controlled pass gate. A ring oscillator is formed using a number N of the inverting circuits with each common output coupled to the first inputs forming a main ring of a ring oscillator. The second inputs are coupled to feed-forward signals from selected outputs. The resulting signals at the common outputs are an interpolation of the first and second input signals modulated by a control voltage coupled to the first and second pass gates.

Abstract: A PLL comprises a VCO and a loop filter, wherein the VCO generates an AC output signal having a frequency which depends on an applied control voltage, and wherein the loop filter provides a control voltage to the VCO. The control voltage reflects determined phase differences between a potentially frequency divided output signal of the VCO and a reference signal. When operating the PLL, frequency deviations between a potentially frequency divided output signal of the VCO and a reference signal are detected and in addition, a resolution employed for detecting the frequency deviations is lower than a resolution employed for determining the phase differences. In case a frequency deviation is detected, a direct-current voltage shift is added to the control voltage provided by the loop filter.

Abstract: A method and circuit arrangement is provided for load modulation in a receiving oscillator circuit, which can be mutually coupled with a transmitting oscillator circuit, having at least one inductance, at least one capacitance, and at least one controllable impedance. The controllable impedance can have at least one depletion layer element and at least one ohmic resistance.

Abstract: The oscillator circuit comprises a capacitor and first to fourth constant current supplies and switches are connected to the capacitor. Both terminals of the capacitor are used for charges and discharges. One period comprises four steps; charging the first terminal of the capacitor, discharging the second terminal, charging the first terminal, and discharging the second terminal.

Abstract: An oscillation frequency control circuit comprises a frequency counter that counts to measure a frequency of an oscillating signal outputted from an oscillation circuit which produces the oscillating signal of the frequency corresponding to analog control voltages inputted, a plurality of D/A converters that produce the analog control voltages respectively corresponding to digital values inputted, a digital value generator that generates the digital values according to control signals inputted, and an operation circuit that compares the frequency measured by the frequency counter with a reference frequency and produces the control signals, which are inputted to the digital value generator, corresponding to the comparing result.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate; at least one integrated circuit block formed in the semiconductor substrate; a first electrode pad which receives a first clock, the first electrode pad being disposed on the semiconductor substrate; a wiring line which electrically connects the integrated circuit block and the first electrode pad, the wiring line being disposed on the semiconductor substrate; and a second electrode pad which receives a second clock having the same frequency as and opposite polarity from the first clock, the second electrode pad being disposed in a position adjacent to the first electrode pad on the semiconductor substrate and isolated from the integrated circuit block.

Abstract: An amplitude demodulation method and device comprising a converter sampling an input signal having its sampling frequency corresponding to three times the modulation carrier frequency.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit with a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) built therein is used in a semiconductor integrated circuit for wireless communication. The PLL circuit generates an oscillation signal having a predetermined frequency, which is combined with a receive signal or a transmit signal for wireless communication. The PLL circuit includes a VCO capable of switching an oscillation frequency band, a variable divider, a loop filter and a phase comparator. An oscillation frequency of the VCO is controlled according to the difference in phase between a signal obtained by dividing the output of the VCO and a reference signal, and a discrimination circuit makes a decision as to a lead or delay of the phase of an output of the variable divider with respect to a reference signal having a predetermined frequency. An auto band selection circuit generates a signal for selecting a frequency band for the VCO.

Abstract: For use in a multi-band wireless communication system, a local oscillator includes a voltage-controlled oscillator that generates an oscillating signal in response to a control signal. A local oscillating signal generator includes buffers and frequency dividers for generating from the oscillating signal a plurality of frequency signals having different frequencies. A switching circuit selects one of the frequency signals, and a phase locked loop generates the control signal from the selected frequency signal.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to obtain a stable operation with a low phase noise. Moreover, it is another object to obtain an oscillating output which does not cause the delay of a starting time. According to the invention, it is possible to implement a crystal oscillating circuit capable of superposing a signal obtained by feeding back the oscillating output of a crystal oscillating member (10) by a feedback circuit (5) on a control signal for selecting the load capacity of a load capacity selecting portion (3), and influencing an MOS transistor (50) by the voltage noise of the control signal with difficulty, thereby reducing a phase noise, and furthermore, limiting a control signal to be input to the load capacity selecting portion (3) for a certain time in starting and carrying out the starting in a short time.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator for generating differential output is disclosed. The voltage-controlled oscillator comprises a Colpitts oscillator having a first inductor and a capacitive divider having at least two capacitors connected in series. A varactor is connected in series with the capacitive divider and to a reference voltage, and a second inductor is mutually coupled to the first inductor for providing the differential output. A second inductor is substantially centrally tapped and connected to the reference voltage for providing a substantially balanced output. The operating frequency of the voltage-controlled oscillator is dependent on an applicable potential difference across the varactor.

Abstract: Reset signal generators for a frequency-phase detector include a first signal source circuit is coupled to a pump-up signal of the frequency-phase detector. The first signal source circuit includes a first load therein establishing a voltage level at a first node when a first current flows through the first load. The first signal source circuit is configured to activate the first current responsive to the pump-up signal. A second signal source circuit is coupled to a pump-down signal of the frequency-phase detector. The second signal source circuit includes a second load therein establishing a voltage level at a second node when a second current flows through the second load. The second signal source circuit is configured to activate the second current responsive to the pump-down signal. A logic circuit is configured to generate the reset signal responsive to the voltage levels at the first node and at the second node.