Synthesizer Patents (Class 327/105)
  • Patent number: 8664980
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer for generating a low noise and low jitter timebase of a reference signal generates first and second output signals a difference frequency that is low enough for use in sub-scanning is implemented with a first incrementer, having a preset increment and a preset end value E1 controlling a first fractional divider and a second incrementer having a preset increment and a present end value E2 controlling a second fractional divider, wherein each of the incrementers is clocked from the output signal of each fractional divider so that, when the end value E1, E2 is reached, an end signal is output and the incrementers are reset to a carryover value as a new starting value and the end signal is switched between the division factors of the fractional dividers so that the switching sequence of the end signal is periodic with the output signals of the fractional dividers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: KROHNE Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Musch, Robert Storch
  • Patent number: 8659323
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer includes: a delta sigma modulator that outputs an input value to a sequentially changing digital value; an analog path unit that converts the digital value to an analog value according to a first conversion gain; an accumulator that accumulates a difference between the input and digital values; a digital to analog converter (DAC) that compensates an output value of the accumulator according to a second conversion gain; a correction loop that extracts analog tendency by adding an output of the analog path unit and an output of the DAC and that extracts digital tendency from an output of the accumulator and adjusts the second conversion gain by comparing the analog and digital tendency; and a voltage control oscillator that generates an output frequency by adding an output of the analog path unit and an output according to an adjusted second conversion gain of the DAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Sang-Gug Lee, Seungjin Kim
  • Patent number: 8659330
    Abstract: In order to output an accurate waveform in which quantization noise has been cancelled out, provided is a signal generating apparatus that outputs an output signal corresponding to a waveform data sequence expressing a waveform, the signal generating apparatus comprising a DA converting section that outputs an analog signal by sequentially performing digital/analog conversion on each piece of data included in the waveform data sequence, at a timing of a sampling clock; and a jitter injecting section that injects jitter decreasing a quantization noise component of the output signal, into the sampling clock supplied to the DA converting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyotaka Ichiyama
  • Patent number: 8653860
    Abstract: In forming a frequency synthesizer by using PLL using processing of digital signals, an A/D converting unit is not required. By the integration of a digital value that depends on a set frequency, a saw-tooth wave serving as a phase signal is generated. A frequency signal output from a voltage-controlled oscillator is input via a frequency divider to an edge detecting unit, which then detects a rising edge or a falling edge of the frequency signal to generate a rectangular-wave signal that depends on a frequency of the frequency signal. Then, a latched circuit latches a value of the saw-tooth wave in response to the rectangular-wave signal, and this value is integrated in a loop filter and the resultant is used as a control voltage of the voltage-controlled oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Akaike, Tsukasa Kobata
  • Patent number: 8648611
    Abstract: An RF sensing circuit with a voltage-controlled oscillator comprises a low noise amplifier (LNA), a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), a frequency demodulating unit, a bandpass filter (BPF) and a digital signal processing unit. The VCO has an injection signal input port and a voltage input port, wherein the injection signal input port is electrically connected with an output of the LNA. The frequency demodulating unit is electrically connected with an output of the VCO and the BPF is electrically connected with an output of the frequency demodulating unit. The digital signal processing unit is electrically connected with an output of the BPF and the voltage input port of the VCO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: Industrial Technology Research Institute, National Sun Yat-Sen University
    Inventors: Tzyy-Sheng Horng, Chien-Jung Li, Kang-Chun Peng, Fu-Kang Wang
  • Patent number: 8648625
    Abstract: There is provided a frequency synthesizer capable of improving phase noise. A sinusoidal signal with a frequency set by a frequency setting part is output as a digital signal from a set signal output part, and the digital signal is D/A-converted. A difference between a sinusoidal signal with a frequency corresponding to an output frequency of a voltage controlled oscillating part and a sinusoidal signal output from a D/A converting part is amplified by a differential amplifier, and an amplified signal is input via an A/D converting part to a means for extracting a phase difference between the aforesaid sinusoidal signals. A voltage corresponding to a signal being the result of integration of the phase difference is input as a control voltage to the voltage controlled oscillating part. Then, a gain of the differential amplifier is set larger than a maximum value of phase noise degradation of the A/D converting part, whereby the phase noise degradation of the A/D converting part is cancelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Akaike, Nobuo Tsukamoto, Tsukasa Kobata
  • Patent number: 8648626
    Abstract: A clock generator and generating method, and a mobile communication device using the clock generator. A clock generator comprises a first accumulator, an oscillating signal generating circuit and a frequency adjustment circuit. The oscillating signal generating circuit generates a first oscillating signal and adjusts a frequency of the first oscillating signal according to a first overflow output signal of the first accumulator. The frequency adjustment circuit generates a frequency control value according to the first oscillating signal and a reference oscillating signal. The first accumulator accumulates the frequency control value according to the first oscillating signal to generate the first overflow output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Via Telecom Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Hong Lin
  • Publication number: 20140036970
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transceiver including a sub-sampling based frequency synthesizer with a sampling frequency fsmp, configured to generate M different output signals 3 for use as a carrier signal for transmission and/or a signal with a channel frequency for reception. M is an integer greater than 4, each output signal has a corresponding predefined frequency. The predefined frequencies are within a frequency band with a predefined bandwidth CFR. CFR is greater than fsmp. The frequency synthesizer includes a frequency shift unit configured for shifting a version of the output signal over a predefined frequency shift fshift to obtain a frequency shifted signal which is supplied to a sampling unit of the sub-sampling based frequency synthesizer, wherein ?fsmp/2?fshift?+fsmp/2. The frequency shift unit is configured to use for the generation of each of the N different output signals a corresponding predefined frequency shift fshift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Greenpeak Tecnologies B.V.
    Inventors: Anton Willem Roodnat, Hans Van Driest, Jan Hendrik Haanstra
  • Patent number: 8633735
    Abstract: To provide, in a frequency synthesizer including: a variable attenuator provided at a subsequent stage of a voltage controlled oscillator; a detector; and a control unit outputting a control voltage for adjusting an attenuation amount of the variable attenuator via a digital/analog converter in accordance with a detection voltage, a technology with which a spurious due to a change in an output of the digital/analog converter can be suppressed. A low-pass filter is provided between an output side of a digital/analog converter and a variable attenuator to cut a frequency component corresponding to an overshoot generated when an output of the digital/analog converter is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Kitayama, Hiroyuki Demura, Naoki Onishi
  • Patent number: 8633746
    Abstract: A phase detector, which forms a semiconductor device, detects a phase difference between a reference signal and a feedback signal obtained by feeding back an output signal of an oscillator, and generates a phase difference value indicating a value in accordance with the phase difference. An amplifier amplifies the phase difference value at a gain determined in accordance with a control signal from outside the device. A filter smoothes an output value of the amplifier. The oscillator controls a frequency of the output signal in accordance with an output value of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Mobile Corporation
    Inventors: Takayasu Norimatsu, Satoru Yamamoto, Taizo Yamawaki
  • Publication number: 20140015569
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer circuit includes a phase determinator configured to output a phase difference signal based on a phase difference between an output signal and a reference signal. The frequency synthesizer circuit may further include a voltage controlled oscillator configured, during a fine tuning mode, to generate the output signal based on the phase difference signal and a value of a frequency band signal. The voltage controlled oscillator may be further configured, during a coarse tuning mode, to generate the output signal based on a voltage and the value of the frequency band signal. The frequency synthesizer circuit may further include a control unit configured to generate the frequency band signal. The value of the frequency band signal may be static during the fine tuning mode and changing during the coarse tuning mode based on a frequency difference between the reference signal and the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: William W. WALKER
  • Patent number: 8618840
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer circuit includes a phase determinator configured to output a phase difference signal based on a phase difference between an output signal and a reference signal. The frequency synthesizer circuit may further include a voltage controlled oscillator configured, during a fine tuning mode, to generate the output signal based on the phase difference signal and a value of a frequency band signal. The voltage controlled oscillator may be further configured, during a coarse tuning mode, to generate the output signal based on a voltage and the value of the frequency band signal. The frequency synthesizer circuit may further include a control unit configured to generate the frequency band signal. The value of the frequency band signal may be static during the fine tuning mode and changing during the coarse tuning mode based on a frequency difference between the reference signal and the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: William W. Walker
  • Patent number: 8614594
    Abstract: A downconverter capable of being normally operated even in the case where a universal dual downconverter is made up by use of multiple downconverter circuits. The downconverter includes first and second downconverter circuits, and an amplification unit having at least a first amplifier LNA for receiving a horizontally polarized wave signal, and a second amplifier LNA for receiving a vertically polarized wave signal. If a Tone/Pola signal is a signal indicating a power-saving mode, a control circuit of the first downconverter circuit causes both a local oscillator and a frequency converter to be in a non-operating state, controlling a bias circuit such that power is supplied to the first amplifier LNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8612794
    Abstract: To provide a clock signal generating device that changes the frequency of a predetermined clock signal in a short time and prevents or mitigates instability in the operation of the supply destinations of the clock signal when the frequency of the clock signal is changing. The clock signal generating device is provided with a second control unit that, when the target frequency changes, successively changes the voltage impressed on the clock signal generating unit with a preset change value and a preset interval in a preset time in place of the first control unit, causing the frequency of the clock signal newly generated by the clock signal generating unit to approach the target frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Casio Electronics Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Kojima
  • Publication number: 20130321031
    Abstract: The CMOS programmable non-linear function synthesizer utilizes CMOS current-mode electronics to provide synthesis of arbitrary analog functions. The circuit approximates a seventh-order Taylor series expansion to synthesize an arbitrary nonlinear function. Each term of the Taylor series expansion is realized using a current-mode basic building block, and the output weighted currents of these basic building blocks are algebraically added in addition to a DC current, if needed. The CMOS current mode electronic circuit can be easily integrated, extended to include higher order terms of the Taylor series, and programmed to generate arbitrary nonlinear functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: MUHAMMAD TAHER ABUELMA'ATTI, ABDULLAH MUHAMMAD TAHER ABUELMAATTI
  • Patent number: 8598915
    Abstract: The CMOS programmable non-linear function synthesizer utilizes CMOS current-mode electronics to provide synthesis of arbitrary analog functions. The circuit approximates a seventh-order Taylor series expansion to synthesize an arbitrary nonlinear function. Each term of the Taylor series expansion is realized using a current-mode basic building block, and the output weighted currents of these basic building blocks are algebraically added in addition to a DC current, if needed. The CMOS current mode electronic circuit can be easily integrated, extended to include higher order terms of the Taylor series, and programmed to generate arbitrary nonlinear functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Muhammad Taher Abuelma'atti, Abdullah Muhammad Taher Abuelmaatti
  • Publication number: 20130314130
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer system may generate two intermediate clock signals, each intermediate clock signal having the same nominal frequency (fN), the same cycle pattern with deterministic jitter, and the same corresponding average frequency (fA). However, the cycle pattern in one intermediate clock signal may be a specified number (N) of cycles out of phase with respect to the cycle pattern in the other intermediate clock signal. The cycle pattern may recur every 2N cycles in each intermediate clock signal. The duration of each cycle in each of the two intermediate clock signals is defined by fN and the deterministic jitter in the cycle pattern. An output clock signal may be generated by phase interpolating by two (2) the two intermediate clock signals, and dividing the resulting phase interpolated clock signal by N. The resulting output clock signal has an accurate frequency commensurate with fA/N, and is free of deterministic jitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Xianyao Wang, Peter E. Sheldon, Christopher M. Green
  • Publication number: 20130307588
    Abstract: A method and system for compensating for offsets when measuring parameters of a phase-locked loop (PLL). In one embodiment, a proportional path in the PLL is temporarily shut off, a measurement is made of a real time-to-zero crossing in the PLL to measure a defined parameter of the PLL, the proportional path is switched on, and the defined loop parameter is adjusted based on this measurement. In one embodiment, the real time-to-zero crossing is measured after introducing a phase step into the PLL between a reference signal and an output signal of the PLL. In an embodiment, two phase steps, having opposite polarities, are successively introduced into the PLL, and the time-to-crossing measurements resulting from these two phase steps may be averaged, and this average is used to determine a loop parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Ferriss, Arun Natarajan, Benjamin Parker, Alexander Rylyakov, Jose A. Tierno, Soner Yaldiz
  • Patent number: 8575972
    Abstract: A first plurality of clock signals including a first clock signal and a second clock signal is received, the first and second clock signal out of phase with each other. A second plurality of clock signals comprising a third clock signal and a fourth clock signal is received, the third and fourth clock signals out of phase with each other. A plurality of enable signals are received. A fifth clock signal is determined based on the first plurality of clock signals and the plurality of enable signals. A sixth clock signal is determined based on the second plurality of clock signals and the plurality of enable signals. A seventh clock signal is determined based on the fifth clock signal and the sixth clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Reeves, Spencer M. Gold, Steven J. Kommrusch, Anwar P. Kashem
  • Patent number: 8575973
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer system may generate two intermediate clock signals, each intermediate clock signal having the same nominal frequency (fN), the same cycle pattern with deterministic jitter, and the same corresponding average frequency (fA). However, the cycle pattern in one intermediate clock signal may be a specified number (N) of cycles out of phase with respect to the cycle pattern in the other intermediate clock signal. The cycle pattern may recur every 2N cycles in each intermediate clock signal. The duration of each cycle in each of the two intermediate clock signals is defined by fN and the deterministic jitter in the cycle pattern. An output clock signal may be generated by phase interpolating by two (2) the two intermediate clock signals, and dividing the resulting phase interpolated clock signal by N. The resulting output clock signal has an accurate frequency commensurate with fA/N, and is free of deterministic jitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: SMSC Holdings S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Xianyao Wang, Peter E. Sheldon, Christopher M. Green
  • Patent number: 8572143
    Abstract: An output signal is generated from a received input data stream representing a sequence of digital data values. For each group of successive data values in the sequence of data values, a respective waveform pattern is assigned in dependence of the data content of the respective group of successive data values. The output signal is generated by generating the assigned respective waveform patterns corresponding to the input data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dippon, Clemens Rabenstein
  • Publication number: 20130278295
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a high speed signal may comprise a plurality of Analog-Digital converters (AD converter) that are arranged in parallel to each other to sample an input signal at different frequencies; a plurality of frequency synthesizers configured to provide each AD converter with a different sampling frequency; a signal processor configured to receive an output of the plurality of AD converters to reconstruct the input signal; and/or a controller configured to receive and process a trigger signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicants: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Yeol KIM, Hyun Woo CHOI, Nicholas TZOU, Xian WANG, Thomas MOON, Abhijit CHATTERJEE, Ho Sun YOO
  • Patent number: 8552767
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuits provide a digital frequency synthesizer where the output of the frequency synthesizer is a fractional factor of an input signal frequency. The digital frequency synthesizer may comprise a time to digital converter. A ramp offset signal may be added to the output of the time to digital converter. The ramp offset signal may be added to the output of a TDC until a reference dock signal reaches a value of pi. At such a point, the reference clock signal may be switched and the ramp offset signal may be restarted. As such, a frequency offset may be introduced at the input of the time to digital converter where the frequency offset may be modified by changing the slope of the ramp offset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Parastoo Nikaeen, Stefanos Sidiropoulos, Marc Joseph Loinaz
  • Publication number: 20130259103
    Abstract: A digital delta sigma modulator includes an input integration stage, a resonating stage, a quantizer, and a plurality of feedback paths operably coupled to the quantizer, the input integration stage, and the resonating stage. The input integration stage is operably coupled to integrate a digital input signal to produce an integrated digital signal, wherein the input integration stage has a pole at substantially zero Hertz. The resonating stage is operably coupled to resonate the integrated digital signal to produce a resonating digital signal, wherein the resonating stage has poles at a frequency above zero Hertz. The quantizer stage is operably coupled to produce a quantized signal from the resonating digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Henrik T. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20130241600
    Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a spread spectrum clocking signal. In a frequency synthesizer, a sequence of values may be generated and used to modulate a frequency of an input signal to the frequency synthesizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Nicola DA DALT, Peter PRIDNIG, Werner GROLLITSCH
  • Patent number: 8531223
    Abstract: There is provided a signal generator outputting an analog frequency signal based on a digital value according to a set frequency, which provides excellent noise characteristics, requires no ROM table corresponding to waveform data, and has a simple configuration. A digital signal having a digital value according to a set frequency is integrated to generate a waveform in a sawtooth shape, a waveform in a triangular wave shape is generated based on the waveform, and this waveform output is differentiated and then D/A converted and integrated. A comparator using, for example, the voltage at a midpoint of the triangular wave as a threshold value is used for the integrated output, and a frequency signal of an objective frequency is obtained from the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Akaike, Tsukasa Kobata
  • Patent number: 8504867
    Abstract: A clock signal generator having first and second coarse delay circuits connected in series delays pulses of a reference signal having period TP to produce pulses of the clock signal. The first coarse delay circuit delays pulses of the reference signal with a delay resolution of TP/N seconds over a range spanning TP seconds to produce pulses of an output signal. The second coarse delay circuit delays pulses of the output signal of the first coarse delay circuit over a range spanning TP seconds with a delay resolution of TP/M seconds to provide pulses of the clock signal with a timing resolution of TP/(M*N) seconds when the integers N and M are relatively prime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Eric B Kushnick
  • Publication number: 20130176059
    Abstract: A fractional-N PLL synthesizer has an up-down counter counting up for positive edges of a frequency-divided signal produced by a frequency divider with a fractional divide ratio in a feedback path of the synthesizer and down for positive edges of a reference signal. A phase offset between portions of the synthesizer signal before and after a loss-of-lock interval is then assessed as a numerical value proportional to the product of the divide ratio and the cycle difference registered by the up-down counter (36) after the loss-of-lock interval. A correction term derived from the phase offset can be used in a signal processing device as employed, e.g., in a GNSS receiver, for producing, from an analog input signal, a phase-corrected baseband signal where portions of the signal before and after loss of lock are phase coherent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: u-blox AG
    Inventor: Thomas Brauner
  • Publication number: 20130169315
    Abstract: A method for encoder frequency-shift compensation includes determining frequency values of an input encoder signal, determining repeatable frequency-shifts of the frequency values and generating a frequency-shift compensated clock using the repeatable frequency-shifts. A frequency-shift compensated clock includes a synthesizer configured to generate a frequency-shift compensated clock signal using repeatable frequency shifts and encoder clock signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
  • Patent number: 8479030
    Abstract: A method and system for managing power consumption of a component that employs a clock processing circuit to produce a processed clock signal used by the component from a clock signal supplied to the clock processing circuit. A frequency of a clock signal supplied to the clock processing circuit is changed based on operating characteristics of a voltage regulator module (VRM) or power supply unit so as to maintain acceptable operating parameters of the power supply unit during a change in frequency of a clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel J. Allen
  • Patent number: 8471736
    Abstract: An automatically calibrating time to digital conversion circuit. The circuit includes a first circuit node for switchably receiving a first calibration signal and a second circuit node coupled with the first circuit node via a first delay path. A third circuit node for switchably receiving a second calibration signal the same as the first calibration signal is coupled with a fourth circuit node via a second delay path. A calibration portion has a third delay path switchably connected with the fourth circuit node and a fourth delay path switchably connected with the second circuit node. The calibration portion generates a delay adjustment signal for adjusting a time delay of the first delay path such that the first time delay combined with the fourth time delay equals the second time delay combined with the third time delay. The calibration portion is disconnected when calibration is not desired for conserving power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. D. Booth, Koji Takinami
  • Publication number: 20130154690
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that provide a radio frequency synthesizer that generates precise frequencies over a large radio frequency range. The radio frequency synthesizer can provide a high resolution of frequency generation and still provide precise frequencies over a range of radio frequencies. The precision and resolution while maintaining a large operating range come from the ability of the frequency synthesizer to generate frequencies as a product of a plurality of moduli. For example, the frequency can be generated from a reference frequency using a first modulus and a second modulus. The plurality of modulo can be implemented using nested digital delta-sigma modulators in a fractional-N frequency synthesizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: University College Cork -National University of Ireland, Cork
    Inventor: University College Cork -National University of Ireland, Cork
  • Patent number: 8466716
    Abstract: A synthesizer including an oscillator for outputting an oscillation signal based on an output signal from a comparator, a frequency divider for dividing a frequency of an output signal from the oscillator based on control from a controller, and a temperature sensor for detecting an error between a preset frequency and a frequency based on a reference oscillation signal. The comparator compares an output signal from the frequency divider with an output signal from a MEMS oscillator and outputs a signal indicating the comparison result to the oscillator. The controller changes the frequency division ratio of the frequency divider based on an output signal from the temperature sensor and changes the frequency division ratio in a state in which the frequency division ratio is kept at the past value. Thus, phase noise deterioration in the synthesizer can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Namba, Takeshi Fujii, Yasunobu Tsukio
  • Patent number: 8466717
    Abstract: The provision of a technique capable of determining a state where PLL control does not operate normally instantly or in advance in a frequency synthesizer that frequency-divides, A/D converts, and quadranture-detects a frequency signal from a voltage controlled oscillating unit, and extracts a rotation vector rotating at a frequency difference between the frequency signal used for the detection and the A/D converted frequency signal, and integrates a difference between a frequency of the above rotation vector and a set frequency to set an integration result as a control voltage to the voltage controlled oscillating unit. The control voltage to be input to the voltage controlled oscillating unit is monitored, and it is determined whether or not a level of the monitored control voltage deviates from a set range determined in advance, and an unlock detection signal is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Onishi, Tsukasa Kobata
  • Publication number: 20130147522
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer for generating a low noise and low jitter timebase of a reference signal generates first and second output signals a difference frequency that is low enough for use in sub-scanning is implemented with a first incrementer, having a preset increment and a preset end value E1 controlling a first fractional divider and a second incrementer having a preset increment and a present end value E2 controlling a second fractional divider, wherein each of the incrementers is clocked from the output signal of each fractional divider so that, when the end value E1, E2 is reached, an end signal is output and the incrementers are reset to a carryover value as a new starting value and the end signal is switched between the division factors of the fractional dividers so that the switching sequence of the end signal is periodic with the output signals of the fractional dividers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventor: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
  • Patent number: 8451029
    Abstract: A frequency synthesizer in which a satisfactory frequency stability can be obtained over the entire long period of service immediately after power activation is disclosed. The reference signal generation circuit includes an OCXO, a TCXO, weight converters which regulate weights with respect to outputs, and an adder which adds up the outputs from the weight converters to output the added output as a reference signal. The CPU controls weight converters B and C so that the weight of the TCXO is set to 100% and the weight of the OCXO is set to 0% at the time of the power activation, so that the weight of the OCXO gradually rises, and so that the weight of the TCXO is set to 0% and the weight of the OCXO is set to 100% after preset time, whereby the frequency can quickly be stabilized after the power activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Onishi
  • Publication number: 20130127499
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a synthesizer. The synthesizer includes one or more tunable oscillators, a frequency-dividing circuit coupled to the tunable oscillators, and a multiplexer coupled to the frequency-dividing circuit. The frequency-dividing circuit includes a number of frequency dividers, and is configured to generate a number of frequency-dividing outputs. At least one frequency-dividing output has a different frequency division factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: AVIACOMM INC.
    Inventors: Shih Hsiung Mo, Yan Cui, Chung-Hsing Chang
  • Publication number: 20130099829
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a frequency synthesizer wherein a value of an first control signal associated with a fine frequency feedback loop connected to a signal generator is monitored, and a second control signal associated with a medium or coarse frequency feedback loop connected to the signal generator is adjusted based on the monitoring. The first and second control signals are then output to control the frequency synthesizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Ari VILANDER, Liangge Xu, Kristian Jouni Kaukovuori
  • Patent number: 8427205
    Abstract: A synthesizer comprises a first processing unit that receives digital information relating to a required final frequency of the synthesizer and determines a primary frequency value and a corresponding frequency multiplier mode. A primary synthesizer receives the primary frequency value and an external reference frequency signal to generate a signal of the primary frequency. The synthesizer further comprises a second processing unit that receives the primary frequency value, determines a pre-charge voltage value corresponding to the primary frequency value, and transmits the pre-charge voltage value to a delay locked loop in response to a change in the primary frequency value. The delay locked loop receives the signal of primary frequency and the pre-charge value. The DLL is pre-charged to the pre-charge voltage value for a predetermined time, by opening and closing the delay locked loop to obtain fast locking of the synthesizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Geetha B. Nagaraj, Nicholas G. Cafaro, Robert E. Stengel, Sumit A. Talwalkar
  • Patent number: 8428213
    Abstract: A digital waveform synthesizer (1) is implemented as a single chip integrated circuit on a single chip (2) and comprises a direct digital synthesizer (10) which produces a synthesized output signal waveform on an output terminal (4) which is substantially phase and frequency locked to the phase and frequency of an externally generated input signal applied to an input terminal (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Juergen Tucholski
  • Publication number: 20130093468
    Abstract: Frequency synthesizers for use with oscillators that generate an arbitrary frequency are described, as well as related devices and methods. Divider information can be generated or otherwise accessed for use in configuring a phase lock loop device that is adapted for coupling with the oscillator, where the phase lock loop device can include a plurality of integer dividers without utilizing a fractional divider, where the divider information can include frequency deviations corresponding to groups of integer divider settings for the phase lock loop device, and where each deviation of the frequency deviations can be based on a frequency differential between a standard operating frequency and an output frequency for the phase lock loop utilizing one group of integer divider settings from the groups of integer divider settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Sand 9, Inc.
    Inventors: REIMUND REBEL, Klaus Juergen Schoepf
  • Patent number: 8405465
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for translating duty cycle information in duty-cycle-modulated signals to higher frequencies or higher data rates. An exemplary duty cycle translator includes a duty cycle evaluator, a high-speed digital counter, and a comparator. The duty cycle evaluator generates a first digital number representing a duty cycle of a low-frequency input duty-cycle-modulated (DCM) signal. The comparator compares the first digital number to a second digital number generated by the high-speed digital counter, and generates, based on the comparison, an output DCM signal having a higher frequency or data rate than the frequency or data rate of the low-frequency input DCM signal but a duty cycle that is substantially the same as the duty cycle of the low-frequency input DCM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Earl W. McCune, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8400818
    Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator includes an oscillating unit configured to output first and second output clock signals at first and second nodes, respectively, the first and second output clock signals having a frequency that is variable in response to a control voltage. An active element unit connected to the oscillating unit is configured to maintain oscillation of the oscillating unit. A bias current generating unit connected to the active element unit at a bias node provides a bias current to the bias node and is adapted to adjust the bias current in response to a control code. First and second capacitor blocks connected to the oscillating unit and the active element unit provide first and second load capacitances, respectively, to the first and second nodes, respectively, in response to the control code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho-Seok Seol, Seung-Jun Bae, Sang-Hyup Kwak
  • Patent number: 8390334
    Abstract: A synthesizer includes: a synthesizer unit that outputs an oscillation signal based on a reference oscillation signal; a temperature detecting unit that detects a temperature; a time variation detecting unit that detects a time variation in frequency of the reference oscillation signal based on a result of temperature detection by the temperature detecting unit; and a control unit that adjusts a frequency of the oscillation signal outputted from the synthesizer unit based on a result of detection by the time variation detecting unit. With such a configuration, frequency compensation control is performed on a transducer having a large temperature coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunobu Tsukio, Akihiko Namba
  • Publication number: 20130043909
    Abstract: A phase adjustment apparatus for providing a clock signal to a core circuit is provided. The core circuit is powered by a core voltage. The phase adjustment apparatus includes two clock receiving ends, a plurality of digital receiving ends and a combination circuit. The two clock receiving ends receive two original clocks having a same frequency while the two original clock signals possess different phases. The digital receiving ends receive a plurality of phase selection signals. The synthesizing circuit is powered by a first voltage lower than the core voltage, and generates the clock signal according to the phase control signals and the two original clock signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Jiunn-Yih LEE
  • Patent number: 8381146
    Abstract: A computer-readable, non-transitory medium stores therein a design support program that causes a computer capable of accessing a storage device storing therein for each cell, an output voltage value of the cell, for each elapsed time period from a start of variation of an input voltage applied to the cell, to execute a process. The process includes extracting from the storage device, the output voltage value for each elapsed time period related to an cell under design selected from circuit information of a circuit under design; determining based on a specific voltage value, an extracted elapsed time period to be corrected; adding a time constant of an output from the cell under design to the elapsed time period determined to correction; and outputting the output voltage value for each corrected elapsed time period and the output voltage value for each elapsed time period that is not determined for correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Mitsuru Onodera
  • Patent number: 8369476
    Abstract: A clock generator is illustrated. The clock generator mentioned above includes a multimodulus frequency divider and a delta-sigma modulator. The multimodulus frequency divider is archived by switching the phase thereof. The multimodulus frequency divider increases the operating frequency of the clock generator effectively, and has a characteristic with half period resolution for reducing the jitter of an output clock signal when its spectrum is spread. Besides, the delta-sigma modulator increases the accuracy of the triangle modulation and reduces error of quantization by adding a few components therein. Thus, the clock generator could be expanded to a programmable clock generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Wei-Sheng Tseng, Hong-Yi Huang, Kuo-Hsing Cheng, Yuan-Hua Chu
  • Patent number: 8368472
    Abstract: A high-accuracy clock signal is generated even when the settings of the clock frequency are changed or there is a variation in power supply, temperature, or the like. A frequency-voltage conversion circuit includes a switch portion including switches, electrostatic capacitive elements, and other switches. The electrostatic capacitive elements have different absolute capacitance values, and are provided so as to cover a frequency range intended by a designer. For example, based on 4-bit frequency adjustment control signals, the other switches select the electrostatic capacitive elements having the electrostatic capacitance values thereof each weighted with 2 to perform the switching of a frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Nakamura, Kosuke Yayama
  • Patent number: 8362809
    Abstract: The invention provides a dual-mode voltage-controlled oscillator (DMVCO), a frequency synthesizer and a wireless receiving device, and pertains to the technical field of integrated circuit of radio frequency wireless receiver. The DMVCO and the frequency synthesizer can operate in a wideband mode and a quadrature mode. When operating in the quadrature mode, a quadrature signal is provided for a Single Sideband Mixer of the frequency synthesizer by a quadrature coupling of a first voltage-controlled oscillator unit and a second voltage-controlled oscillator unit in the DMVCO in the overlapped frequency band so that the frequency synthesizer can cover a higher output frequency band. Therefore, the tuning range of the DMVCO of the invention is wide, and the frequency synthesizer using the DMVCO is low in power consumption, simple in structure and has good frequency spur performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fudan University
    Inventors: Wei Li, Jin Zhou
  • Patent number: 8339295
    Abstract: A method and system for managing Digital to Time Conversion (DTC) is provided. The method comprises receiving a first Radio Frequency (RF) signal and a second RF signal. The second RF signal is a phase-shifted first RF signal. The method further comprises converting the first RF signal to a first Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal and the second RF signal to a second IF signal. Further, a time delay between the first IF signal and the second IF signal is estimated based on a time difference measurement technique. The second RF signal is processed based on the estimated time delay to compensate for a delay error associated with the second RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Geetha B. Nagaraj, Nicholas G. Cafaro, Ralf Hekmann, Robert E. Stengel, Scott Miller