Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for low-latency start-up of a free-running harmonic oscillator. The exemplary apparatus embodiment comprises a first and second current sources to generate first and second currents; a bias current monitor adapted to detect a magnitude of the second current and to provide a control signal when the magnitude of the second current is equal to or greater than a predetermined magnitude; and a bias controller adapted to switch the first current from the oscillator and to switch the second current to the oscillator in response to the control signal. a reference voltage generator, a comparator, and a bias controller. Exemplary embodiments include reference voltage generator, a comparator, and a bias controller.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a clock generation apparatus, system, and method, which include power management. The apparatus is couplable to second circuitry which has a clock input terminal and an inverted clock output terminal. An exemplary apparatus comprises a clock generator, a sensor, and a processor. The clock generator provides a clock signal on a first terminal which is couplable to the clock input terminal of the second circuitry. The sensor is coupled to a second terminal which is couplable to the inverted clock output terminal, and detects a power conservation mode and a power resumption mode of the second circuitry. The processor is adapted to reduce power to the clock generator and to provide a first predetermined voltage or a second predetermined voltage to the first and second terminals in response to the detection of the power conservation mode, and to increase power to the clock generator in response to the detection of the power resumption mode.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a system, method and apparatus for spread spectrum functionality for a free-running, reference harmonic oscillator. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises a reference oscillator adapted to provide a reference signal having a reference frequency; and a spread spectrum controller adapted to control the reference oscillator to generate a spread-spectrum reference signal at a plurality of different reference frequencies during a predetermined or selected time period. An exemplary apparatus may also include a coefficient register adapted to store a plurality of coefficients and a plurality of controlled reactance modules responsive to a corresponding coefficient of the plurality of coefficients to modify an amount of reactance effectively coupled to the reference oscillator.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a reference harmonic oscillator integrated circuit having three or more terminals, with systems and methods for calibrating the harmonic oscillator to a selected first frequency using a limited number of terminals. An exemplary apparatus comprises: a reference harmonic oscillator, a first terminal to receive a supply voltage, a second terminal to receive a ground potential, a third terminal to provide an output signal having an output frequency, and may also include a fourth terminal. One of the first, second, third or fourth terminals is further adapted for input of a calibration of the first frequency. The exemplary apparatus may enter calibration and testing modes in response to various commands such as a calibration mode signal, and may also be configured through one of the terminals for output frequency selection, spread-spectrum output, and output voltage levels.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a system, method and apparatus for frequency calibration of a free-running, reference harmonic oscillator. An exemplary system comprises the harmonic oscillator, a frequency divider, a comparator, and a reactance modulator. The reference harmonic oscillator includes a plurality of switchable reactance modules controlled by corresponding coefficients, and provides an oscillation signal having an oscillation frequency, which is divided or multiplied by the frequency divider to provide an output signal having an output frequency. The comparator compares the output frequency to an externally supplied reference frequency using first and second predetermined levels of discrimination, and provides first or second comparison signals when the output frequency is higher or lower than the reference frequency.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides a clock generator and/or a timing and frequency reference, with multiple operating modes, such power conservation, clock, reference, and pulsed modes. The various apparatus embodiments include a resonator adapted to provide a first signal having a resonant frequency; an amplifier; a temperature compensator adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to temperature; and a process variation compensator adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to fabrication process variation. In addition, the various embodiments may also include a frequency divider adapted to divide the first signal having the resonant frequency into a plurality of second signals having a corresponding plurality of frequencies substantially equal to or lower than the resonant frequency; and a frequency selector adapted to provide an output signal from the plurality of second signals.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides a frequency controller and a temperature compensator for frequency control and selection in a clock generator and/or a timing and frequency reference. The various apparatus embodiments include a resonator adapted to provide a first signal having a resonant frequency; an amplifier; a temperature compensator adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to temperature; and a process variation compensator adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to fabrication process variation. In addition, the various embodiments may also include a frequency divider adapted to divide the first signal having the resonant frequency into a plurality of second signals having a corresponding plurality of frequencies substantially equal to or lower than the resonant frequency; and a frequency selector adapted to provide an output signal from the plurality of second signals.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides a discrete clock generator and/or a timing and frequency reference using an LC-oscillator topology, having a frequency controller to control and provide a stable resonant frequency, which may then be provided to other, second circuitry such as a processor or controller. Frequency stability is provided over variations in a selected parameter such as temperature and fabrication process variations. The various apparatus embodiments include a sensor adapted to provide a signal in response to at least one parameter of a plurality of parameters; and a frequency controller adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to the second signal. In exemplary embodiments, the sensor is implemented as a current source responsive to temperature fluctuations, and the frequency controller is implemented as a plurality of controlled reactance modules which are selectively couplable to the resonator or to one or more control voltages.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides a clock generator and/or a timing and frequency reference comprising an LC oscillator with a frequency controller to control and provide a stable resonant frequency. Such stability is provided over variations in a selected parameter such as temperature and fabrication process variations. The various apparatus embodiments include a sensor adapted to provide a signal in response to at least one parameter of a plurality of parameters; and a frequency controller adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to the second signal. In exemplary embodiments, the sensor is implemented as a current source responsive to temperature fluctuations, and the frequency controller is implemented as a plurality of controlled reactance modules which are selectively couplable to the oscillator or to one or more control voltages. The controlled reactance modules may include fixed or variable capacitances or inductances, and may be binary weighted.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides a clock generator and/or a timing and frequency reference using an LC-oscillator topology, having a frequency controller to control and provide a stable resonant frequency, which is integrated with other, second circuitry such as a processor or controller. Frequency stability is provided over variations in a selected parameter such as temperature and fabrication process variations. The various apparatus embodiments include a sensor adapted to provide a signal in response to at least one parameter of a plurality of parameters; and a frequency controller adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to the second signal. In exemplary embodiments, the sensor is implemented as a current source responsive to temperature fluctuations, and the frequency controller is implemented as a plurality of controlled reactance modules which are selectively couplable to the resonator or to one or more control voltages.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a system, method and apparatus for frequency calibration of a free-running, harmonic oscillator. A reference oscillator provides a reference frequency. An exemplary system comprises the harmonic oscillator, a frequency divider, a comparator, and a reactance modulator. The oscillator comprises a plurality of switchable reactance modules and a coefficient register, and provides an oscillation signal having an oscillation frequency. The frequency divider provides an output frequency as a fraction of the oscillation frequency. The comparator compares the output and reference frequencies and provides a comparison signal when the output frequency is not substantially equal to the reference frequency.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides a frequency controller to control and provide a stable resonant frequency of a clock generator and/or a timing and frequency reference. Such stability is provided over variations in a selected parameter such as temperature and fabrication process variations. The various apparatus embodiments include a sensor adapted to provide a signal in response to at least one parameter of a plurality of parameters; and a frequency controller adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to the second signal. In exemplary embodiments, the sensor is implemented as a current source responsive to temperature fluctuations, and the frequency controller is implemented as a plurality of controlled reactance modules which are selectively couplable to the resonator or to one or more control voltages. The controlled reactance modules may include fixed or variable capacitances or inductances, and may be binary weighted.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for low-latency start-up of a free-running harmonic oscillator. The exemplary apparatus embodiment comprises a first and second current sources to generate first and second currents; a bias current monitor adapted to detect a magnitude of the second current and to provide a control signal when the magnitude of the second current is equal to or greater than a predetermined magnitude; and a bias controller adapted to switch the first current from the oscillator and to switch the second current to the oscillator in response to the control signal. a reference voltage generator, a comparator, and a bias controller. Exemplary embodiments include reference voltage generator, a comparator, and a bias controller.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides a clock generator and/or a timing and frequency reference, with multiple operating modes, such power conservation, clock, reference, and pulsed modes. The various apparatus embodiments include a resonator adapted to provide a first signal having a resonant frequency; an amplifier; a temperature compensator adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to temperature; and a process variation compensator adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to fabrication process variation. In addition, the various embodiments may also include a frequency divider adapted to divide the first signal having the resonant frequency into a plurality of second signals having a corresponding plurality of frequencies substantially equal to or lower than the resonant frequency; and a frequency selector adapted to provide an output signal from the plurality of second signals.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides a frequency controller and a temperature compensator for frequency control and selection in a clock generator and/or a timing and frequency reference. The various apparatus embodiments include a resonator adapted to provide a first signal having a resonant frequency; an amplifier; a temperature compensator adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to temperature; and a process variation compensator adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to fabrication process variation. In addition, the various embodiments may also include a frequency divider adapted to divide the first signal having the resonant frequency into a plurality of second signals having a corresponding plurality of frequencies substantially equal to or lower than the resonant frequency; and a frequency selector adapted to provide an output signal from the plurality of second signals.