Inductor and capacitor-based clock generator and timing/frequency reference
US7504899B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 20, 2006 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03J2200/10
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In various embodiments, the invention provides a clock generator and/or a timing and frequency reference comprising an LC oscillator with a frequency controller to control and provide a stable resonant frequency. Such stability is provided over variations in a selected parameter such as temperature and fabrication process variations. The various apparatus embodiments include a sensor adapted to provide a signal in response to at least one parameter of a plurality of parameters; and a frequency controller adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to the second signal. In exemplary embodiments, the sensor is implemented as a current source responsive to temperature fluctuations, and the frequency controller is implemented as a plurality of controlled reactance modules which are selectively couplable to the oscillator or to one or more control voltages. The controlled reactance modules may include fixed or variable capacitances or inductances, and may be binary weighted. Arrays of resistive modules are also provided, to generate one or more control voltages.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.