Patent · US Expired

Phase locked loop tuning control system including a timed sync activated AFT signal seeking arrangement

US4385315A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
12References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 8, 1981
Grant dateMay 24, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 8, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N5/50
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

In a phase locked loop PLL tuning control system for a voltage controlled oscillator of the type wherein an automatic fine tuning (AFT) voltage is selectively applied to the local oscillator after a PLL configuration has obtained lock at the nominal frequency value for the selected channel so as to accommodate frequency translated RF carriers, an AFT control circuit selectively activated by the average level of composite synchronization pulses indicative of an improper tuning condition caused by certain translated carriers clamps the AFT voltage at a predetermined level. The predetermined level is selected to force the local oscillator frequency to be driven to an offset value at which an offset detector causes reinitiation of PLL control at discrete frequency step from the nominal value for the selected channel so as to properly tune the translated carrier. A timed switching arrangement only allows the AFT control circuit to operate for a predetermined time after a new channel is selected so that channels, such as music channels, which do not provide synchronization pulses, can be tuned.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.