Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a method including determining a change in a lock state of a phase lock loop (PLL). Current provided to a charge pump (CP) is adjusted based on the change in the lock state of the PLL. The adjusting of the current is synchronized to occur during an idle state of the CP.

Abstract: A phase/frequency detector has a modulo counter for outputting a counter word with a predetermined word length depending on an oscillator signal. In addition, a modulo integrator for outputting an integrator word with the predetermined word length as a function of integration of a channel word is provided. The phase/frequency detector also has a difference element for outputting a phase error word with the predetermined word length as a function of a difference between the counter word and the integrator word.

Abstract: A phase interpolator includes a first circuit to generate a first signal having a first phase delay and a second signal having a second phase delay and a phase mixer. The phase mixer is coupled to receive the first and second signals from the first circuit. The phase mixer includes multiple current drivers each including a current driver input coupled to selectively delay one of the first or second signals and a current driver output coupled to output a phase delayed signal. The current driver outputs of the current drivers are coupled together to combine the phase delayed signals from the current drivers to generate an output phase delayed signal having a phase interpolated from the first and second signals.

Abstract: A high frequency signal detection circuit includes an input terminal for a high frequency signal to be detected, a switch transferring the high frequency signal as intermittent ringing signal to a first node in response to a pulse signal whose frequency is lower than that of the high frequency signal, a transistor amplifying the signal at the first node, and outputting to a second node, a bias generator generating a bias voltage by which the transistor is operated in its weak inversion region, a resonant circuit outputting the bias voltage to the first node, and resonating the high frequency signal, a capacitor removing a high frequency component of the signal at the second node; and a judgment circuit judging whether or not the high frequency signal is inputted by detecting the signal at the second node, which has the same frequency as the pulse signal.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer with a single PLL and multiple SSB mixers is presented. The frequency synthesizer includes a single PLL outputting a reference signal that is fed to a plurality of dividers coupled in sequence. The outputs from the dividers are mixed by the SSB mixers to produce signals with different frequencies. These signals with different frequencies can be selected through use of multiple selectors.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for using a frequency locked loop LOGEN in oscillator systems may include generating an oscillating signal via one or more circuits comprising a feedback loop. The generation may be controlled by enabling or disabling the feedback loop, based on the generated oscillating signal. The one or more circuits may comprise a frequency-locked loop (FLL) that may enable the generation of the oscillating signal. The frequency-locked loop may comprise a voltage-controlled oscillator. The feedback loop may be disabled when an estimated frequency difference between a reference signal and a feedback signal may be less than or equal to a specified threshold. The feedback loop may be enabled when an estimated frequency difference between a reference signal and a feedback signal may be greater than a particular threshold.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop includes a phase-to-digital converter portion as well as a novel correction portion. The phase-to-digital converter (PDC) portion outputs a stream of first phase error words. The novel correction portion receives the first phase error words and generates a stream of second phase error words that is supplied to a loop filter. The PDC portion has a phase-to-digital transfer function that exhibits certain imperfections. In a first example, the correction portion determines an average difference between pairs of first phase error words, and uses this average difference to normalize the first phase error words to correct for changes in PDC portion transfer function slope due to changes in delay element propagation delay. In a second example, the correction portion corrects for gain mismatches in PDC portion transfer function. In a third example, the correction portion corrects for offset mismatches in PDC portion transfer function.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer comprising an input large step frequency source suitable for generating a large step frequency, a variable frequency source suitable for generating a small step frequency, a first phase detector, a first voltage controlled oscillator, a first mixer, a second phase detector, a second voltage controlled oscillator, a second mixer, at least two frequency divide circuits and a feedback loop is disclosed. The input large step frequency source and the variable frequency source are suitable for combining to form mixed frequency, second voltage controlled oscillator is in the feedback loop and the feedback loop is suitable for receiving the combination of the large step frequency and the variable frequency.

Abstract: The phase comparison circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a fractional frequency divider 31 which generates a fractional frequency-divided signal Svn obtained by performing fractional frequency division on a clock on the basis of a control signal from a control circuit 32, a first integer frequency divider 33 which generates a first integer frequency-divided signal obtained by performing integer frequency division on the fractional frequency-divided signal Svn, a second integer frequency divider 34 which generates a second integer frequency-divided signal obtained by performing integer frequency division on a reference clock, a first selection circuit 35 which selectively outputs either the fractional frequency-divided signal Svn or the first integer frequency-divided signal on the basis of a switching signal, a second selection circuit 36 which selectively outputs either the reference clock or the second integer frequency-divided signal on the basis of the switching signal fr

Abstract: An arrangement for determining a gradient factor for a digitally controlled oscillator has a data alignment device and an identification device. The data alignment device can be supplied a modulation signal, a phase error signal and an oscillator control word. The data alignment device is configured to output a modulation setting word based on the modulation signal, output a time interval magnitude based on the phase error signal and a reference interval, and output an oscillator modulation word based on the oscillator control word. The identification device is configured to adapt and output the gradient factor based on the modulation setting word, the time interval magnitude and the oscillator modulation word.

Abstract: A plurality of inverters are arranged serially to form a ring oscillator and coupled to receive a reference clock signal. The reference clock signal is used to switch the inverters on and off so that not all of the inverters are on at a same time. The ring oscillator circuit is used as a divider circuit to divide the frequency of the reference clock signal to produce a local oscillator signal at a second frequency.

Abstract: A method for comparing phases of two signals including placing a first output node in a floating state, detecting a first edge of a first signal on a first input node after placing the first output node in the floating state, coupling the first edge of the first signal to the first output node and resetting the first output node to the floating state after coupling the first edge of the first signal to the first output node. A system for comparing phases of two signals can also be included.

Abstract: A PLL system for generating an output signal according to a first reference signal is disclosed. The PLL system includes a clock generator to generate the output signal according to a phase difference between the first reference signal and the frequency-divided signal; and a phase-shift detector for detecting a position difference between the physical address and an updated logical address of the recording data to generate a phase adjusting signal. The PLL system also includes an adder for updating a detected logical address with a random value to output the updated logical address to the position difference detector; and a phase-controllable frequency divider for generating the frequency-divided signal and for receiving the phase adjusting signal to adjust the phase of the frequency-divided signal.

Abstract: Phase-locked loop (PLL) logic comprises an oscillator that produces a first oscillator signal and phase detect logic that determines a phase difference between the first oscillator signal and a second oscillator signal. After the second oscillator signal is replaced by a third oscillator signal, the phase detect logic determines another phase difference between the first oscillator signal and the third oscillator signal. The PLL removes the phase difference from the another phase difference to produce an intermediate signal. The oscillator adjusts the first oscillator signal using the intermediate signal.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) achieves initial lock using a course fractional-N divider driving a binary phase detector. Once frequency lock is achieved, this divider may be turned off, while an adaptive phase detector takes over control of the PLL front end. The adaptive phase detector (APD) receives input directly from the VCO and the reference clock, deriving digital control signals and a precision phase detector output. The APD operates at the update rate, generating a digital delta sigma modulator (DSM) data stream output at the update rate. The APD automatically locks to a digitally generated ramp corresponding to an expected difference between the VCO output and the reference clock, while adaptively correcting for DC errors and ramp cancellation errors.

Abstract: A PLL circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a phase comparator to output an up signal and a down signal based on a phase difference between a reference clock signal and a feedback clock signal; an offset correcting circuit to correct a pulse width of at least one of the up signal and the down signal to output a modified up signal and a modified down signal; a first charge pump circuit to increase or decrease a charge pump output voltage to be output in accordance with the modified up signal and the modified down signal; a loop filter to filter out noise of the charge pump output voltage and generate a filter voltage; and a voltage-controlled oscillation circuit having an oscillation frequency controlled based on a voltage value of the filter voltage and outputting an output clock signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a phase-locked loop circuit and a data reproduction apparatus, which can reduce a processing time that is required for initial adjustment in the data reproduction apparatus. In a digital data reproduction apparatus having two control functions, i.e., phase and duty adjustments for binarized data, the phase comparison with one edge is performed only at the phase adjustment by means of a phase-locked loop circuit 33 having an edge switching means 4 which controls the phase comparator 1. The phase comparator 1 inputs the binarized and a bit synchronous clock, and switches the output between a comparison result with one edge, i.e., a rising edge or a falling edge of binarized data, and a comparison result with both edges.

Abstract: A synthesizer module/oscillator assembly includes a voltage controlled oscillator with a coaxial resonator. In one embodiment, the module measures 20.3 mm×14.8 mm×3.9 mm and the coaxial resonator is positioned on the circuit board of the module between a phase locked loop integrated circuit and a main section of the voltage controlled oscillator. The phase locked loop circuit includes a loop filter and is adapted to receive the frequency signal generated by the voltage controlled oscillator and generate an adjusted frequency signal.

Abstract: A MASH modulator. The MASH modulator receives a fractional input value, generates an integer output value, and comprises three cascaded first order sigma delta modulators (SDMs) each comprising an accumulator, a plurality of first multipliers, a second multiplier, a first adder, and a second adder. Each of the first multipliers is coupled to a corresponding accumulator. The first adder receives the fractional input value. The second multiplier is coupled between the first adder and the cascaded first order sigma delta modulators. The second adder is coupled to the cascaded first order sigma delta modulators to generate the integer output value.

Abstract: A method and enhanced phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit enable effective testing of the PLL. A phase frequency detector generates a differential signal, receiving a reference signal and a feedback signal of an output signal of the PLL circuit. A charge pump is coupled to the phase frequency detector receiving the differential signal. The charge pump applies either negative or positive charge pulses to a low-pass filter, which generates a tuning voltage input applied to a voltage controlled oscillator. A first divider is coupled to the voltage controlled oscillator receives and divides down the VCO output signal, providing the output signal of the PLL circuit. A second divider receives the output signal of the PLL circuit and provides the feedback signal to the phase frequency detector. The output signal of PLL circuit is applied to a clock distribution.

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.

Abstract: A synthesizer that has a phase detector 8 and a charge pump circuit 9 for injecting an electric charge, or pulling it out that corresponded to a frequency difference of an input, a low-pass filter 11 for converting this electric charge into a voltage, a voltage control oscillator (VCO) 13 for changing an output frequency for this input voltage, a divider 14 for dividing the frequency of the input, and a voltage holding circuit 10 for holding the input voltage for a plurality of output frequencies of the VCO. A holding voltage of the voltage holding circuit 10 is switched with a switch 12, and the frequency of an output clock signal 3 is switched.

Abstract: The PWM control circuit is provided. The PWM control circuit includes: a PWM control signal generator that generates a PWM period signal defining a period of a PWM signal and a PWM resolution signal specifying a resolution in one period of the PWM period signal; and a PWM unit that generates the PWM signal based on the PWM period signal and the PWM resolution signal, wherein the PWM control signal generator changes a frequency of the PWM resolution signal while keeping a frequency of the PWM period signal unchanged.

Abstract: Clock signal distribution systems with reduced parasitic loading effects are provided. A reference clock is frequency-divided to produce a lower frequency clock signal. A delay-locked loop (DLL) circuit locks to the lower frequency clock signal, and outputs a corresponding lower frequency clock signal for distribution over a long trace. Power consumption caused by parasitic capacitance of the trace is thereby reduced. Parasitic effects associated with clock jitter are also reduced. A frequency multiplying phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit locks to the lower frequency clock signal, and outputs at least one clock signal having a higher frequency than the lower frequency signal.

Abstract: A time information management method includes: managing time information using an oscillation signal of a first oscillator and data relating to an actual oscillation frequency of the first oscillator; calculating an oscillation frequency difference between a second oscillator and the first oscillator; and estimating the actual oscillation frequency of the first oscillator using the calculated oscillation frequency difference and a nominal frequency of the second oscillator, and updating the data relating to the actual oscillation frequency of the first oscillator.

Abstract: A digital frequency multiplier circuit is disclosed. The digital frequency multiplier circuit includes a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO), a phase detector and a control circuit. The DCO generates an internal feedback signal. The phase detector detects a phase difference between the internal feedback signal and an external reference clock signal. Coupled between the phase detector and the DCO, the control circuit adjusts the DCO to align the internal feedback signal with the external reference clock signal after a phase difference between the internal feedback signal and the external reference clock signal has been detected. The control circuit also locks a modulation frequency of the DCO and monitors the state of the digital frequency multiplier circuit in order to maintain the lock.

Abstract: An apparatus for the phase synchronization of several devices, wherein one device is the master device and the other devices are slave devices, with a phase synchronization unit for every device, each of which has: a first controlled oscillator for producing a master reference signal, a first phase detector which, in order to control the first oscillator, compares the phase of a first comparison signal derived from the master reference signal with the phase of a second comparison signal derived from an auxiliary reference signal if the device is itself the master device and a second phase detector which, in order to control the first oscillator, compares the phase of a third comparison signal derived from the master reference signal with the phase of a reference signal coming from the phase synchronization unit of the master device if the device is not itself the master device but a slave device.

Abstract: A delta-sigma modulated fractional-N PLL frequency synthesizer is provided. The frequency synthesizer includes a phase frequency detector for receiving a reference signal with a reference frequency (Fref) and an overflow signal to output a phase difference signal by detecting a phase and frequency difference between the reference signal and the overflow signal; a charge pump for generating an output current pulse in response to the phase difference signal; a loop filter for filtering the charge pump output current pulse and generating a corresponding control voltage; a VCO for generating a VCO output signal with a voltage controlled frequency (Fvco) in response to the control voltage; and a delta-sigma modulator, with a clock input terminal for receiving the VCO output signal, an overflow output terminal for generating the overflow signal and an integer input terminal, for determining the ratio of the VCO frequency (Fvco) and the reference frequency (Fref).

Abstract: In a portable dual mode receiver circuit, a dual modulus clock system is provided which can, by selective use of integer division on a multiplied master clock, select specific channels with two different channel spacings in several different bands, providing power and space savings and achieving simplicity of operation.

Abstract: The invention provides a phase-locked loop (PLL). Since a loop bandwidth of the PLL is a function of a gain of a phase detector and a gain of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), by adjusting the gain of the phase detector, the variation of the gain of the VCO (i.e., the tuning sensitivity) is compensated, so that the loop bandwidth of the PLL becomes more stable.

Abstract: Spread spectrum clock generation (SSCG) using asymmetric triangular profiles to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). The asymmetric triangular profiles provide better peak power attenuation and a more uniform power spectrum spread than conventional symmetric triangular profiles. The method receives a first clock signal that has a first frequency spectrum and modulates it with an asymmetric triangular profile to produce a second clock signal. The second clock signal has a wider frequency spectrum than the first clock signal and results in reduced electromagnetic interference compared with the first clock signal.

Abstract: The present invention is an indirect analog synthesizer utilizing a direct analog fractional frequency multiplier approach. A fractional frequency multiplier produces a source that is injected into an offset loop of an indirect analog synthesizer. The fractional frequency multiplier utilizes a source and a combination of multipliers, dividers, and switches to generate and select among different frequencies. This direct analog approach eliminates step recovery diodes and sample loops from the frequency synthesizer. Switching speed of the direct analog portion is less than 100 nanoseconds. This increase in switching speed of the direct analog portion greatly improves the overall switching speed of the overall frequency synthesizer. Also, the fractional frequency multiplier has phase noise 20 dB better than a sampling loop. Better phase noise of the signal feeding the offset loop pushes optimum loop bandwidth of the offset loop higher, which also improves switching speed.

Abstract: A data-directed frequency-and-phase lock loop for an offset-QAM modulated signal comprises a first multiplier that multiplies the signal by the output of a VCO. The output of the first multiplier is phase-shifted by a second multiplier, then convolved by a third multiplier. The output of the third multiplier is split, with each portion being passed through a frequency-shift multiplier and a frequency-and-phase lock loop. The output of the two frequency-and-phase lock loops is summed and returned to the VCO to complete the feedback loop.

Abstract: This invention relates to a phase-locked loop circuit and a data reproduction apparatus, which can reduce a processing time that is required for initial adjustment in the data reproduction apparatus. In a digital data reproduction apparatus having two control functions, i.e., phase and duty adjustments for binarized data, the phase comparison with one edge is performed only at the phase adjustment by means of a phase-locked loop circuit 33 having an edge switching means 4 which controls the phase comparator 1. The phase comparator 1 inputs the binarized and a bit synchronous clock, and switches the output between a comparison result with one edge, i.e., a rising edge or a falling edge of binarized data, and a comparison result with both edges.

Abstract: A power converter includes a power switch adapted to receive an input power from an external power source and to generate an output power, and an adaptive oscillator adapted to output an adaptive minimum-on signal of the power switch in response to a change in measured magnitude of at least one of the input power and the output power.

Abstract: A High Frequency Digital Oscillator contains a ring oscillator having an output fn, and having coarse and fine frequency adjustments, wherein the input signal f1 is the input to both the ring oscillator and the High-Frequency Digital Oscillator, which has a multiplicity of output signals including f2, f4, and f8 at one-half, one fourth, and one-eighth the frequency of fn respectively, and wherein an input gating signal causes the oscillator to start or stop, a signal fc=¼*(f4) causing a coarse frequency adjustment and a signal ?=(1/f1?1/fc) making a fine adjustment, and by stopping the new output before the rising edge of f1; and then restarting starting the new output at the rising edge of so that the output and input are synchronized.

Abstract: There is disclosed a self-calibrating resistor-capacitor (RC) oscillator in which a resistor has a resistance value varied minimally by temperature change and process variation, a capacitor has a capacitance value selected adequately according to needs, and the resistor and capacitor are configurable as a one-chip by a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. The self-calibrating RC oscillator comprises a resistor part including a first resistor having a resistance value reduced with increase in temperature and a second resistor connected in series with the first resistor and having a resistance value increasing with increase in temperature.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for dynamically adjusting the frequency range of phase-locked loops (PLLs). Phase detection circuitry in a PLL generates a control signal in response to a periodic input signal and a feedback signal. When the control signal deviates outside a valid range, the input frequency range of the PLL is dynamically adjusted to include the periodic input signal frequency. The input frequency range of the PLL is adjusted by changing one or more frequency ratios in the PLL. The resistance and/or capacitance of a loop filter in the PLL can be dynamically adjusted to control the bandwidth of the PLL.

Abstract: A digital controlled oscillator including a programmable current source, a first variable capacitor and a second variable capacitor. A comparator compares the voltage across the variable capacitors with a reference voltage level and generates a DCO output clock signal. A switching means alternately switches the variable capacitors to either charge from a programmable current source or discharge in response to an output signal of the comparator. A clock divider divides the DCO output clock signal by a factor N substantially greater than 1. A frequency monitor receives the divided clock signal, determines the time difference of successive clock periods of the divided clock signal and generates a feedback signal to adapt the frequency of the DCO output clock signal.

Abstract: The phase locked loop (PLL) with adjustable phase shift is described. The PLL includes a voltage controlled oscillator which is capable of generating multiple phase shifted output signals, and multiple phase detectors capable of determining the phase differences between the output signals and a reference clock. The PLL further includes a weighting device capable of weighting the phase differences and generating a control signal for the voltage controlled oscillator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing timing recovery under conditions of low signal to noise ratios (SNRs) is disclosed herein. A preliminary phase error signal is generated by comparing an input signal with a preliminary estimation of an output signal corresponding to the input signal. A correction signal is generated as a function of the output signal, input signal, and preliminary phase error signal. The preliminary phase error signal and the correction signal are combined to generate a final phase error signal.

Abstract: A controllable oscillator includes an output oscillation adjust module operably coupled to an oscillator for producing an effective output oscillation based on an oscillation control signal. The output oscillation adjust module includes an output select block that produces the effective output oscillation from a sequence of selected taps from the plurality of taps of the oscillator. A tap adjust control generator, responsive to the oscillation control signal generates a sequence of tap adjust control signals that command the output select block to select the sequence of selected taps from the plurality of taps. The tap adjust control generator includes an integrator having an integrator output, responsive to the oscillation control signal and a modulo(x) module for producing the sequence of tap adjust control signals based on the integrator output.

Abstract: A design structure for a hybrid phase locked loop (PLL) circuit that obtains stabilized dynamic response and independent adjustment of damping factor and loop bandwidth is provided. The hybrid PLL circuit of the illustrative embodiments includes the resistance/capacitance (RC) filter elements of a conventional RC PLL and the feed-forward path from the output of the phase frequency detector to the voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The hybrid PLL essentially enhances the performance of the conventional feed-forward PLL by providing the RC filter whose components can be weighted to provide a dynamic response that is significantly less sensitive to parameter variation and which allows loop bandwidth optimization without sacrificing damping.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) for stably adjusting a frequency band of a voltage-controlled oscillator and a phase locking method. In the PLL, a frequency band controller alters the frequency band selection digital value in response to an input clock signal and an oscillation control signal generated from an LPF of a basic PLL circuit, and thus a voltage-controlled oscillator of the basic PLL circuit alters the frequency of an output clock signal in response to the oscillation control signal and the frequency band selection digital value. The output clock signal is rapidly and stably phase-locked at a target frequency depending on the frequency band selection digital value.

Abstract: A baseband clock synthesizer having particular use in a BLUETOOTH piconet device, having the capability of generating either 12 MHz or 13 MHz clock signals generated from any reference clock signal, e.g., 12.00, 12.80, 13.00, 15.36, 16.80, 19.20, 19.44, 19.68, 19.80, and 26.00 MHz. A fractional-N frequency divider is implemented with a PLL including a variable divider allowing the use of virtually any reference frequency input to generate a locked 156 MHz clock signal used as a basis for a 12 MHz or 13 MHz baseband clock signal. A residue feedback sigma-delta modulator provides a varying integer sequence to an integer divider in a feedback path of the PLL, effectively allowing division by non-integer numbers in the PLL. Thus, the PLL can be referenced to virtually any reference clock and still provide a fixed output clock signal (e.g., 12 or 13 MHz).

Abstract: An automatic switching phase-locked loop (PLL) is disclosed, including a phase detector, a charge pump generating a pump current, a band selector receiving a control voltage to produce a band selection signal and a voltage setting signal based the control voltage, a loop filter generating the control voltage corresponding to the pump current and setting the control voltage based on the voltage setting signal, and a multi-band voltage control oscillator (VCO) coupled to the control voltage and the band selection signal, selecting one of a plurality of operating bands based on the band selection signal, and providing an output signal of a frequency within the selected operating band based on the control voltage.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for and a method of estimating, calibrating and tracking in real-time the gain of a radio frequency (RF) digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) in an all-digital phase locked loop (ADPLL). Precise setting of the inverse DCO gain in the ADPLL modulating path allows direct wideband frequency modulation that is independent of the ADPLL loop bandwidth. The gain calibration technique is based on a steepest descent iterative algorithm wherein the phase ADPLL error is sampled and correlated with the modulating data to generate a gradient. The gradient is then scaled and added to the current value of the DCO gain multiplier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for reducing noise. The apparatus includes a phase detector adapted to determine a phase difference between a first and a second signal, a first circuit adapted to generate a control signal based upon the determined phase difference, and a second circuit. The second circuit is adapted to receive a third signal, receive a fourth signal, modify the fourth signal based upon the control signal, and provide the third signal and the modified fourth signal to the phase detector as the first and second signals.

Abstract: A phase frequency detector for improving in-band phase noise characteristics of a PLL is disclosed. The phase frequency detector compares a reference frequency with a division frequency created by dividing an output frequency of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) by a predetermined division ratio, creates a phase-difference signal corresponding to a phase difference between the reference frequency and the division frequency, and improves noise characteristics.

Abstract: A de-skew multiplier clock synthesizer with a clock divider outside the feedback loop of a PLL is provided. The clock synthesizer includes a phase locked loop (PLL), a clock divider, and a phase comparator. The PLL receives a reference clock and generates a PLL output clock. The clock divider receives the PLL output clock and generates a first output clock. The phase comparator receives the reference clock, the PLL output clock, and the first output clock and generates a phase difference signal. The clock divider adjusts the first output clock to be in phase with the reference clock according to the phase difference signal.