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 system comprising a voltage controlled oscillator is disclosed. The voltage controlled oscillator includes a single input, a power input, and an oscillation input. The oscillation input is coupled to a amplitude detection device, which in turn provides an indication of an amplitude of the output of the VCO to a threshold detect module. Based upon the threshold detected at the threshold detect module, a threshold indicator is provided to a voltage supply module. The voltage supply powering the voltage controlled oscillator is varied, based upon a value of the threshold indicator.