Abstract: A method and apparatus for a fast and automatic setting of the phase locked loop (PLL) output frequency that significantly improves linearity, locking range as well as spectrum purity, jitter and phase noise performances is disclosed. In one embodiment, a PLL frequency synthesizer is disclosed having a reconfigurable voltage controlled oscillator VCO with three modes of operation: a Linear-High-gain, Zero-gain, and Low-gain mode. During a first tuning operation, the VCO work in a linear high gain mode, enabling a totally analogue self-calibration of the PLL over a wide frequency tuning range and with a fast settling time. During this operation the control voltage at the input of the VCO is varied by the PLL until the appropriate output frequency is found. A method for providing a linear variation of the frequency over all the voltage tuning range during this mode is disclosed. When the loop is locked, the VCO is automatically switched to the Zero-gain mode while keeping its frequency unchanged.