Phase locked loop with numerically controlled oscillator divider in feedback loop
US6650721B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03L7/0891
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A digital phase locked loop (PLL) frequency synthesizer includes a 1-bit numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) to negate the requirement that a VCO frequency be an integer multiple of its reference frequency. Thus, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) or numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) is used to form a frequency divider in a feedback path of a PLL. Thus, a synthesizer with fine frequency control and very fast settling time is disclosed. The conventional integer-ratio relationship between the reference frequency fREF and the synthesized output frequency signal fVCO is overcome by replacement of a conventional VCO divider in a feedback path of a digital PLL with a 1-bit NCO. This allows the reference frequency fREF to be greater than the channel spacing, i.e., the channel spacing can be smaller than the reference frequency fREF. Thus, a much quicker settling time and improved VCO phase noise are provided, either of which results in a significant improvement in the performance of virtually any communications system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.