Particular Error Voltage Control (e.g., Intergrating Network) Patents (Class 331/17)
  • Patent number: 7956695
    Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator operates at high frequency without high gain by dividing the frequency range into a plurality of subranges, which preferably are substantially equal in size. Within any subrange, the full extent of variation in the control signal changes the frequency only by the extent of the subrange. The gain is thus substantially equal to the gain one would expect for the full frequency range, divided by the number of subranges. The subrange may be selected manually, or by an initial calibration process. In one embodiment, the oscillator includes a voltage-to-current converter and a current-controlled oscillator, with a current mirror arrangement. In that embodiment, selection of the subrange may be controlled by turning on the correct number of current legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Weiqi Ding, Mengchi Liu
  • Patent number: 7956693
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting PLL and/or DLL timing offsets have been disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley Hronik
  • Patent number: 7952437
    Abstract: A systems and methods for providing phase lock conditions detection, such as a quality of phase lock and loss of lock detection, are described herein. One exemplary method comprises detecting an output frequency, comparing the output frequency with a first reference signal, providing a first signal and a second signal as a function of the output frequency and first reference signal comparison, receiving a predetermined threshold from a second reference signal, monitoring a deviation of the first and second signals from the predetermined threshold, generating a third signal as a function of the deviation, comparing the third signal to a window threshold wherein the window threshold is set based on a predetermined loop variable, generating a fourth signal a function of the third signal and the window threshold comparison, and providing an alarm based on the fourth signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Aviat U.S., Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Victor
  • Publication number: 20110121871
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to achieve a transconductance amplifier and a voltage/current converting method which can provide a sufficient amplitude and a high degree of design freedom. The method comprises the steps of converting a first voltage signal to a first current signal; converting a second voltage signal to a second current signal; obtaining the common-mode components of the first and second current signals; and subtracting the common-mode components from the first and second current signals to obtain third and fourth signals, and further, subtracting the fourth current signal from the third current signal to generate a first output, while subtracting the third current signal from the fourth current signal to generate a second output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroyuki OKADA
  • Patent number: 7948325
    Abstract: A gain compensator compensates for the gain variation of a varactor-tuned voltage tuned oscillator (VCO) in a phase lock loop (PLL). The VCO includes a parallel LC circuit having multiple fixed capacitors that can be switched-in or switched-out of the LC circuit according to a capacitor control signal to perform band-select tuning of the VCO. The gain compensator compensates for the variable VCO gain by generating a charge pump reference current that is based on the same capacitor control signal that controls the fixed capacitors in the LC circuit. The gain compensator generates the charge pump reference current by replicating a reference scale current using unit current sources. The number of times the reference scale current is replicated is based on the fixed capacitance that is switched-in to the LC circuit and therefore the frequency band of the PLL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ramon A. Gomez
  • Patent number: 7948330
    Abstract: An integrated circuit incorporating a bias circuit for a current-controlled oscillator (ICO) with improved power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) is described. The bias circuit for the ICO includes two error amplifiers. The first error amplifier regulates the bias voltage, VBN, referenced to a ground supply (GND). The second error amplifier regulates the bias voltage, VBP, referenced to a positive power supply (VDD). The VBP and VBN bias voltages have improved PSRR relative to conventional ICO bias circuits for noise injected into VDD and GND.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Dongwon Seo, Sameer Wadhwa
  • Patent number: 7944312
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) device and a method for providing a stable free-running voltage signal to a voltage controlled oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Igor Ullmann
  • Patent number: 7944313
    Abstract: Systems and techniques to calibrate a control loop include, in at least one implementation, a system including the control loop configured to generate a clock signal and lock the clock signal to timing marks detected on a machine readable medium, a repetitive error correction module configured to receive a predicted phase and a corrected phase error for the clock signal, generate a predicted repetitive phase disturbance using the predicted phase and the corrected phase error for the clock signal, and calibrate a phase error to compensate for variations in repetitive phase errors in the clock signal using the predicted repetitive phase disturbance; and a servo track generator configured to generate servo tracks using the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Edward Ying, Pantas Sutardja, David Rutherford
  • Patent number: 7940127
    Abstract: An all digital phase lock loop is disclosed, including a digitally controlled oscillator, a phase detector, and a loop filter. The digitally controlled oscillator is controlled by an oscillator tuning word to generate a variable signal. The oscillator tuning word includes a first tuning word and a second tuning word, where the frequency range of the digitally controlled oscillator, capable to be adjusted by the second tuning word, is broader than that capable to be adjusted by the first tuning word. The phase detector detects a phase error between the variable signal and a reference signal. The phase error is received by the loop filter to output the oscillator tuning word. The loop filter has several stages of the low pass filters and a modification circuit. The modification circuit detects two filter outputs from two low pass filters among the filters and accordingly adjusts the second tuning word.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Huan-Ke Chiu, Chun-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 7940129
    Abstract: A phase-locked loop that supports a large frequency drift capability, yet maintains a low Kvco, and does not introduce noise or discontinuities in the frequency of the generated phase-locked loop output signal. The phase-locked loop may include a VCO with an LC tank circuit, the capacitance of which may be adjusted in incremental units. By gradually adjusting a control signal applied to a selected VCO LC tank circuit frequency adjustment control line, e.g., in a continuous ramped function, or time-averaged ramped function, from LOW-to-HIGH or from HIGH-to-LOW, over a period of time that is greater than the response time of the phase-locked loop, a frequency range supported by the VCO may be shifted to either a higher frequency range or a lower frequency range, as needed, to accommodate environmentally induced frequency drift in the VCO, without introducing noise or discontinuities in the frequency of the generated phase-locked loop output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Randy Tsang, Yu-chi Lee, David Cousinard
  • Patent number: 7936229
    Abstract: A novel and useful apparatus for and method of local oscillator generation employing an exception handling mechanism that permits an oscillator having a limited modulation range to handle the large modulation ranges demanded by modern wideband wireless standards such as 3G WCDMA, etc. A controllable oscillator generates an RF signal having four quadrature phases in accordance with an input command signal. An exception handler compares the frequency command information against a threshold. If it exceeds the threshold a phase jump and a residue frequency command are generated. The residue frequency command is input to an oscillator which is operative to generate an RF signal having four quadrature phases. The phase jump is input to a quadrature switch which functions to select one of the four quadrature phase signals as the output RF signal which is then fed to a digital power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Siraj Akhtar, Mehmet Ipek, Robert B. Staszewski
  • Patent number: 7936222
    Abstract: A phase-locked loop circuit. The phase-locked loop circuit comprises a phase detector, a proportional charge pump, a decimator, an integral charge pimp, and a voltage-controlled oscillator. The phase detector obtains an phase error information according to a phase difference between a reference signal and a clock signal input to the phase detector. The proportional charge pump coupled to the phase detector generates a first voltage according to the phase error information. The decimator generates a decimated version of the phase error information by a decimation factor of N. The integral charge pump generates a second voltage according to the decimated version of the phase error information. The voltage-controlled oscillator generating the clock signal according to a combination of the first and second voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Ping-Ying Wang
  • Patent number: 7936223
    Abstract: A low spur phase-locked loop (PLL) architecture is provided. A frequency-synthesizing PLL that includes a differential Kvco gain linearization circuit with adjustable DC offset is used to reduce clock jitter. The free-running oscillation frequency of the VCO of the PLL is centered near the desired frequency using programmable loads to minimize the required control voltage range. The PLL uses a differential architecture that includes a charge pump that compensates for variations in Kvco and a LC tank oscillator with differential controlled varactor. The differential PLL architecture demonstrates that the reference spur can be well controlled to below ?80 dBc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Vintomie Networks B.V., LLC
    Inventors: James M. Little, Perry Leigh Heedley, David Vieira, Maoyou Sun
  • Patent number: 7932760
    Abstract: An apparatus for implementing a digital phase-locked loop includes a voltage-controlled oscillator that generates a primary clock signal in response to a VCO control voltage. Detection means generates counter control signals, including count up signals and count down signals, to indicate a current relationship between the primary clock signal and a reference signal. An up/down counter then either increments or decrements a counter value in response to corresponding counter control signals. The counter value is then converted by a digital-to-analog converter into the VCO control voltage for adjusting the frequency of the primary clock signal generated by the voltage-controlled oscillator. In alternate embodiments, the foregoing up/down counter may be utilized to adjust the frequency of the voltage-controlled oscillator in proportion to the counter value by utilizing appropriate techniques other than generating a VCO control voltage with a digital-to-analog converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard J. Griffiths
  • Patent number: 7932785
    Abstract: A circuit includes a phase lock loop circuit and a continuous phase lock loop calibration circuit. The continuous phase lock loop calibration circuit is operatively coupled to the PLL circuit and produces a continuous calibration signal based on a reference voltage from a reference voltage circuit to calibrate the PLL circuit on a continuous basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Oleg Drapkin, Grigori Temkine, Mikhail Rodionov, Michael Foxcroft
  • Patent number: 7928806
    Abstract: Provided is a low voltage frequency synthesizer using a boosting method for a power supply voltage of a charge pump. The low voltage frequency synthesizer includes a phase/frequency detector (PFD) that receives and compares a reference frequency and a feedback frequency to output a comparison signal, a charge pump that receives the comparison signal to output a current corresponding to the comparison signal, a low-pass filter (LPF) that generates a voltage corresponding to the output current of the charge pump, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) that receives the voltage of the LPF, amplifies the voltage to generate a boosting voltage, and outputs a frequency corresponding to the received voltage, and a DC converter that receives the boosting voltage of the VCO, converts the boosting voltage into a DC voltage, and applies the DC voltage as a power supply voltage of the charge pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hui Dong Lee, Kwi Dong Kim, Jong Kee Kwon, Jong Pil Hong, Sang Gug Lee
  • Patent number: 7924104
    Abstract: A method for compensating a clock bias in a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver includes deriving at least one clock drift value comprising a first clock drift value corresponding to a first time point, and calculating the clock bias according to the at least one clock drift value and at least one interval within the time period between the first time point and a specific time point after the first time point. An apparatus for compensating a clock bias in a GNSS receiver is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventors: Kung-Shuan Huang, Yu-Chi Yeh
  • Patent number: 7920081
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a phase locked loop that operates on clock signals derived from an RF clock signal generated by the phase locked loop. A frequency reference input provides a reference clock. A controllable oscillator generates the RF clock signal. A phase detection circuit operates on the reference clock to provide digital phase error samples indicative of a phase difference between the reference clock and the RF clock. A dithering circuit is coupled to the reference signal and injects a short sequence dither signal into the reference signal in order to overcome quantization noise and thereby improve RMS phase-error detection for integer channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Khurram Waheed, Mahbuba Sheba, Robert Bogdan Staszewski, Socrates Vamvakos
  • Patent number: 7915962
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for use in a device having a local oscillator. The method includes performing, for the local oscillator that is disciplined by an external reference signal, while locked to the external reference signal, training at least two mathematical models of the oscillator to determine a predicted correction signal for each mathematical model based at least in part on a correction signal that is a function of the external reference signal and which is used to discipline drift in the oscillator. The method also includes selecting a mathematical model of the at least two mathematical models that results in a smallest time error when disciplining the oscillator to use when the external reference signal is unavailable and an alternative correction signal is to be used to discipline drift in the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Charles Nicholls, Philippe Wu
  • Patent number: 7915963
    Abstract: A current controlled, phase locked loop device includes a phase detector configured to compare a reference frequency to an output frequency of a current controlled oscillator (ICO), a charge pump coupled to the phase detector and a low pass filter coupled to the charge pump. A voltage to current (V to I) converter is coupled to the low pass filter, providing an output current for integral control of the ICO. A control circuit is coupled to the ICO, and receives increment and decrement outputs of the phase detector, wherein the control circuit is configured to provide proportional control of the ICO through an amount of bias current applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ram Kelkar, Anjali R. Malladi
  • Patent number: 7907019
    Abstract: A method for operating a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) scanner on a resonant mode frequency is provided. The method includes generating a drive signal for a MEMS scanner. A sensor signal is received from the MEMS scanner. The drive signal is compared to the sensor signal. An accumulated correction signal is generated based on the comparison of the drive signal and the sensor signal. The drive signal for the MEMS scanner is then adjusted based on the accumulated correction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: James Steven Brown
  • Patent number: 7907022
    Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) system generates an oscillator signal based on an input reference signal. A calibration circuit generates a calibration current, and a voltage-to-current converter converts a control voltage into a first current. A current-controlled oscillator generates the oscillator signal based on the first current and the calibration current. A charge pump circuit, which is connected to a phase detector, the voltage-to-current converter, and the calibration circuit, generates a charge pump current based on the first current and the calibration current. The charge pump current is used to generate the control voltage based on an error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishna Thakur, Deependra K Jain, Vinod Jain
  • Patent number: 7907021
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a two-step VCO calibration method. The two-step VCO calibration method, comprising power-on calibration, used to provide a coarse VCO tuning; real-time calibration, used to provide a fine VCO tuning according to the loaded result of said power-on calibration. The two-step VCO calibration method according to the present invention can cover all the variation of process and temperature and gain the advantages of shorter calibration time, smaller gain of VCO, pretty smaller size of passive loop filter and less operating power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: ISSC Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Yi-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 7907020
    Abstract: An oscillating signal of relatively precise frequency can be generated by tuning an oscillator using an external stable oscillating source as a reference. Calibration logic can be included to compare a signal from the local oscillator to the reference signal and vary the local signal to a desired frequency. In one embodiment, the frequency of the local signal can be constantly or periodically compared with a threshold value and if the frequency exceeds the threshold value, the local oscillator can be modified to produce a signal having a frequency that is closer to a desired frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas James Wilson
  • Patent number: 7902932
    Abstract: There is provided a frequency-variable oscillator that varies, even when a frequency of an input signal is varied, a frequency of an oscillation signal according to the varied frequency of the input signal. The frequency-variable oscillator includes: a voltage-to-current converter circuit for converting a voltage level of an input signal into a current level within a predetermined range; and an oscillator circuit for varying a frequency according to the current level from the voltage-to-current converter circuit and oscillating the varied frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Jin Jang, Byoung Own Min, Seung Kon Kong, Sang Cheol Shin, Jung Chul Gong
  • Patent number: 7902929
    Abstract: A method of operating a phase lock loop includes generating a control voltage based on both an output signal of a voltage-controlled oscillator and a reference signal. An operating mode is selected from one of a high-gain mode, a zero-gain mode and a low-gain mode based on the control voltage. The phase lock loop is operated in the selected one of the high-gain mode, the zero-gain mode, and the low-gain mode. The control voltage is offset to generate an offset voltage based on the selected operating mode. The output signal is generated based on the offset voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Adil Koukab, Michel Declercq
  • Patent number: 7902928
    Abstract: A phase-locked loop circuit. The phase-locked loop circuit comprises a phase detector, a proportional charge pump, a decimator, an integral charge pimp, and a voltage-controlled oscillator. The phase detector obtains an phase error information according to a phase difference between a reference signal and a clock signal input to the phase detector. The proportional charge pump coupled to the phase detector generates a first voltage according to the phase error information. The decimator generates a decimated version of the phase error information by a decimation factor of N. The integral charge pump generates a second voltage according to the decimated version of the phase error information. The voltage-controlled oscillator generating the clock signal according to a combination of the first and second voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Ping-Ying Wang
  • Patent number: 7898343
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a calibrated phase-locked loop (PLL), which has a calibration mode for measuring a tuning gain of a variable frequency oscillator (VFO) and a PLL mode for normal operation. Calibration information based on the tuning gain is used during the PLL mode to regulate a PLL loop gain. During the calibration mode, the calibrated PLL operates as a frequency-locked loop (FLL) for low frequency lock times, and during the PLL mode the calibrated PLL operates as a PLL for high frequency accuracy and low noise. By regulating the PLL loop gain, the desired noise spectrum and dynamic behavior of the PLL may be maintained in spite of variations in the operating characteristics or in the characteristics of the PLL components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen T. Janesch
  • Patent number: 7898344
    Abstract: In a multi-radar system, configured comprising a plurality of radar units which generate and output signals the frequency of which increases and decreases periodically, each radar unit generates and outputs signals synchronized with a prescribed sync signal, such that the upper limit and lower limit of the periodically increasing and decreasing frequency is different for the signals of each radar unit, and moreover the timing of the upper limit and lower limit of the signals substantially coincide. By this means, the frequency intervals between signals can be reduced, and more channels can be set, without causing radio wave interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hironobu Hongo
  • Patent number: 7893774
    Abstract: A VCO driving circuit and a frequency synthesizer wherein the impedance viewed from a VCO control terminal is reduced to prevent the VCO phase noise characteristic from degrading. A VCO driving circuit and a frequency synthesizer having the VCO driving circuit, which comprises a coarse adjustment DAC that receives a digital data, which has a coarse adjustment frequency, to output an analog signal; a fine adjustment DAC that receives a digital data, which has a fine adjustment frequency, to output an analog signal; a low response speed LPF5 that removes noise from the output signal from the coarse adjustment DAC and then provides the resultant signal as an input to a VCO control terminal; a high response speed LPF7 that converts the output signal from the fine adjustment DAC to a voltage, thereby smoothing the signal; a resistor that connects an input stage of the LPF5 to that of the LPF7; and a capacitor used for providing a capacitive coupling such that the output of the LPF7 is added to that of the LPF5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nihon Dempa Kogyo Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yasuo Kitayama, Hiroki Kimura, Naoki Onishi, Nobuo Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 7893773
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a phase locked loop begins by determining a gain offset of a voltage controlled oscillator of the phase locked loop. The processing then continues by adjusting current of a charge pump of the phase locked loop based on the gain offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Henrik T. Jensen, Hea Joung Kim
  • Patent number: 7884674
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a clock and data recovery circuit. The clock and data recovery circuit comprises a phase detector, a pre-accumulator, a register, an accumulator and a digital controlled oscillator. By using the transmission path formed by the pre-accumulator, the output of the phase detector can be transmitted to the digital controlled oscillator in advance to adjust the frequency of its output clock signal and the latency due to the accumulator can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: I-Fong Chen, Shen-Iuan Liu
  • Publication number: 20110025424
    Abstract: An FLL circuit having a capability of configuring a desired loop bandwidth in a short period of time is provided. An FDC 17 generates a feedback of an output signal of a VCO 15. An error detector 11 detects an error of the output signal of the VCO 15. A voltage retainer 13 retains an output of a control voltage of the VCO 15. A reference signal generator 16 generates a reference signal. An adder 14 adds the reference signal to a control voltage outputted by the voltage retainer 13. A Kv calculator 18 calculates a gain Kv of the VCO 15 based on a degree of transition of an output frequency of the VCO 15. A loop bandwidth controller 19 adjusts, based on the gain Kv of the VCO 15, a gain of a loop filter 12 to an optimum value, and configures a desired loop bandwidth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventor: Kenji MIYANAGA
  • Patent number: 7880550
    Abstract: Apparatus are provided for a voltage-controlled oscillator module. A voltage-controlled oscillator module comprises an input node for receiving an input voltage, a voltage-controlled oscillator, and voltage translation circuitry coupled between the input node and the voltage-controlled oscillator. The voltage translation circuitry is configured to generate a control voltage based on the input voltage and the voltage-controlled oscillator generates an oscillating signal at an oscillation frequency in response to the control voltage. Biasing circuitry is coupled to the voltage translation circuitry, and the biasing circuitry is configured to adjust the ratio of the control voltage to the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Khoi B. Mai, Hector Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7880516
    Abstract: A method for reducing noise in a device that includes at least one phase locked loop (PLL), the method includes: adjusting at least one adjustable component of a PLL such as to determine a time shift; modulating a frequency divider such as to generate a modulation noise within a modulation noise period and to provide a frequency divided signal; introducing the time shift between the modulation noise period and a measurement period; and measuring during a measurement period a difference between a reference signal and the frequency divided signal. A device that includes a phased locked loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugues Beaulaton, Stephane Colomines, Philippe Gorisse
  • Patent number: 7873881
    Abstract: A reconfigurable bit-manipulation node is disclosed. The node includes an execution unit configured to perform a number of bit-oriented functions and a control unit configured to control the execution unit to allow one of the bit-oriented functions to be performed. The execution unit includes a number of elements interconnected with one another to allow the bit-oriented functions to be performed. The elements include a programmable butterfly unit, a number of non-programmable butterfly units, a number of data path elements, a look-up table memory, and a reorder memory. The execution unit is capable of engaging in one of a number of operating modes to perform the bit-oriented functions. The operating modes include a programmable mode and a number of fixed operating modes including Viterbi decoding, turbo decoding and variable length encoding and decoding. The data path elements include a programmable shifter and a programmable combiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Box, John M. Rudosky, Walter James Scheuermann
  • Patent number: 7872536
    Abstract: A variance correction method includes generating a reference current depending on a resistance within a lowpass filter and outputting the reference current to a voltage controlled oscillator, and correcting characteristics of the lowpass filter and a gain of the voltage controlled oscillator based on an output clock of the voltage controlled oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Toshihiko Mori, Masafumi Kondo
  • Patent number: 7872535
    Abstract: An integrated circuit radio transceiver and method therefor includes capacitive loop filter with selectable capacitive elements that are operable to adjust a signal level provided to a voltage controlled oscillator to control a frequency of an output signal of the oscillator. A plurality of switches are controlled by logic to define a discharge mode, a charge mode and charge sharing mode in which a plurality of capacitive elements share charge while generating the input voltage to the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Seema B. Anand
  • Patent number: 7869492
    Abstract: The invention proposes a simple method suitable for automatically locking frequency during USB data communication. Based on the soft plug/unplug concept proposed in the contents and the error handling mechanism defined in the USB specification, we can calibrate the clock frequency of the digitally controlled oscillator (DCO), through the token packets, to be within the acceptable frequency when USB device is attached to the host controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Sonix Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Jheng Lin, Wen Hsiang Huang, Min-Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 7864910
    Abstract: A PLL is provided with an optimum operating point in order to have appropriately a frequency margin and a locking time. There is provided a phase looked loop which includes: a frequency divider for dividing an output signal by a dividing integer corresponding to an input code; an encoding unit for encoding the input code to generate an encoded code; and a loop filtering unit configured to adjust elements in response to the encoded code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Keun-Soo Song
  • Publication number: 20100327981
    Abstract: A delta-sigma fractional-N frequency synthesizer having a charge pump with error canceling circuitry eliminates a non-linear term from the charge pump transfer function. The charge pump includes a matched pair of charging current sources, each supplying a first current IP1 to a common node, when enabled. The charge pump also includes a matched pair of discharging current sources, each sinking a second current IN1 from the common node, when enabled. The error canceling circuitry includes a charging current source, which supplies a current equal to the second current IN1 to the common node, when enabled. The error canceling circuitry also includes a discharging current source, which sinks a current equal to the first current IP1 from the common node, when enabled. The charging and discharging current sources of the error canceling circuitry are both enabled when either one of the matched pairs of charging and discharging current sources is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: INTEGRATED DEVICE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Zhenyu Yang, Tianwei Liu
  • Patent number: 7859345
    Abstract: The semiconductor integrated circuit incorporates a PLL circuit including a phase-frequency comparator 1, first and second charge pumps 2 and 3, a loop filter 4, a voltage-control oscillator 5 and a divider 6. The operation mode of the PLL circuit includes a standby state where locking is stopped, a lock response operation where locking is started and a steady lock operation where the locking started by the lock response operation is continued. In the steady lock operation, setting is made so that the second charge pump 3 is smaller in charge/discharge current than the first charge pump 2. The first and second charge pumps 2 and 3 charge and discharge the loop filter 4 in response to outputs of the phase-frequency comparator 1 in reverse to each other in phase. In the lock response operation where locking is started, the second charge pump 3 is stopped from charging and discharging in reverse in phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20100315171
    Abstract: Apparatus are provided for a voltage-controlled oscillator module. A voltage-controlled oscillator module comprises an input node for receiving an input voltage, a voltage-controlled oscillator, and voltage translation circuitry coupled between the input node and the voltage-controlled oscillator. The voltage translation circuitry is configured to generate a control voltage based on the input voltage and the voltage-controlled oscillator generates an oscillating signal at an oscillation frequency in response to the control voltage. Biasing circuitry is coupled to the voltage translation circuitry, and the biasing circuitry is configured to adjust the ratio of the control voltage to the input voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Khoi Mai, Hector Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20100301961
    Abstract: A phase locked loop comprising: an oscillator for generating an output signal of a frequency that is dependent on an input to the oscillator; sampling means for generating a sequence of digital values representing the output of the oscillator at moments synchronised with a reference frequency; a difference unit for generating a feedback signal representing the difference between successive values in the sequence; and an integrator for integrating the difference between the feedback signal and a signal of a desired output frequency; the signal input to the oscillator being dependent on the output of the integrator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: CAMBRIDGE SILICON RADIO LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Story, Nicolas Sornin
  • Patent number: 7843274
    Abstract: A phase lock loop apparatus is disclosed. The phase lock loop apparatus comprises a phase detecting module, a logic processing module, a charge pump and loop filter (CPLF), and a voltage control oscillator. The phase detecting module detects the phase difference between an input data signal and a clock signal to generate a first index signal. The logic processing module performs a high-frequency dithering process to the first index signal to generate a second index signal. The CPLF adjusts a control voltage according to the first index signal and the second index signal, and outputs the adjusted control voltage. The voltage control oscillator adjusts the frequency or phase of the clock signal and outputs the adjusted clock signal to the phase detecting module. The frequency of the second index signal is equal to or larger than the frequency of the first index signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Tse-Hsien Yeh
  • Patent number: 7839220
    Abstract: In a circuit having a runaway detector coupled to a phase-locked loop (PLL), the PLL may include a loop filter to receive a control voltage within the PLL and provide a filtered control voltage and a voltage-controlled oscillator to receive the filtered control voltage and provide an output clock signal. The runaway detector may provide a control signal for adjusting the filtered control voltage in response to a predetermined PLL condition. The runaway detector may include a comparator to receive a first and second input voltages, where the second input voltage is based on the output clock signal. When the predetermined PLL condition exists, the runaway detector may be active to adjust the filtered control voltage, thereby enabling the PLL to return to a lock condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Marvell Israel (M. I. S. L.) Ltd.
    Inventor: Mel Bazes
  • Patent number: 7839230
    Abstract: Provided is a PLL oscillation circuit that can reduce the variability of modulation sensitivity of a VCO 101 and obtain a desired output amplitude quickly with high precision. An amplitude detector 103 detects an output amplitude of the VCO 101. An amplitude controller 105 controls a current value of a variable current source 109 so as to have an output amplitude of the VCO 101 detected by the amplitude detector 103 to be a desired amplitude. A LPF 108 is connected between the amplitude controller 105 and the variable current source 109. A switch 107 connects or disconnects the LPF 108 between the amplitude controller 105 and the variable current source 109. The amplitude controller 105 is connected to the variable current source 109 through either the LPF 108 or the switching switch 107.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masakatsu Maeda, Takayuki Tsukizawa, Hiroyuki Yoshikawa, Shunsuke Hirano
  • Patent number: 7834708
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for analog smooth switch in VCO loading control, in one technique, receiving an input signal to adjust a frequency of an oscillator; activating one or more switches to control a current source/sink based on the received input signal; applying the current source/sink to a capacitor to adjust a voltage on the capacitor; and applying the voltage on the capacitor to one or more switches, each of the one or more switches connected between a load and a stage of the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chenxiao Ren
  • Patent number: 7834707
    Abstract: A charge pump provides charge based on a phase difference between a reference signal and a feedback signal. The relationship between the charge and the phase difference is referred to as the charge phase relationship. Charge pumps typically have a non-linear charge phase relationship. A non-linear portion of the charge phase relationship occurs about a point at which the charge and the phase difference are substantially zero. Points along charge phase relationship that represent the performance of charge pump are referred to as the charge phase characteristic of the charge pump. The charge pump includes an offset current circuit, which biases the charge pump to have a linear charge phase characteristic. For example, the charge pump is biased to have a charge phase characteristic that does not overlap with the non-linear portion of the charge phase relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Hung-Ming Chien
  • Patent number: 7834711
    Abstract: There is provided a frequency-variable oscillator that varies, even when a frequency of an input signal is varied, a frequency of an oscillation signal according to the varied frequency of the input signal. The frequency-variable oscillator includes: a voltage-to-current converter circuit for converting a voltage level of an input signal into a current level within a predetermined range; and an oscillator circuit for varying a frequency according to the current level from the voltage-to-current converter circuit and oscillating the varied frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Jin Jang, Byoung Own Min, Seung Kon Kong, Sang Cheol Shin, Jung Chul Gong