Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit is used to synchronize a local clock frequency with an edge of a reference clock frequency, employing a phase detector to compare the local clock frequency and the reference clock frequency to generate a control signal indicative of the need to increase or to decrease the local clock frequency for phase locking thereof to the reference clock frequency. A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is responsive to a signal voltage derived from the control signal to vary the local clock frequency as necessary to achieve phase locking. A loop filter has a reference voltage threshold level which is pre-programmable to enable the loop filter to respond to the control signal by adjusting the signal voltage as a virtual step function toward the programmed reference voltage threshold level before application to the VCO, and then cycling up and down in a search for a stable control signal voltage to reduce the time necessary to achieve the desired phase locking.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit has a phase comparator for comparing the phases of a local clock frequency and a reference frequency to generate a control signal indicative of a direction of adjustment of the local clock frequency for reducing the phase difference between the two frequencies. A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) of the PLL responds to application of a control voltage thereto to generate an oscillation signal frequency from which the local clock frequency is derived. A loop filter responds to the control signal from the phase comparator to develop a control voltage for application to the VCO to adjust the local clock frequency in the direction indicated by the control signal to reduce the relative phase difference.