Patent · US Active

Phase-locked loop circuit and communication apparatus

US8331520B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
2References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 28, 2010
Grant dateDec 11, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 22, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03L2207/50
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A PLL circuit of which low power consumption and miniaturization are satisfied at the same time is provided. A phase comparator of the PLL circuit includes a counter and a time-to-digital converter. The counter receives a reference clock signal and a low frequency clock signal obtained by dividing an output of a digital controlled oscillator, and a high frequency clock signal. The counter detects a phase difference between the reference clock signal and the low frequency clock signal by counting the clock number of the high frequency clock signal. The time-to-digital converter receives the reference clock signal and the low frequency clock signal. The time-to-digital converter detects the phase difference between the reference clock signal and the low frequency clock signal to the accuracy of a time period shorter than a cycle of the high frequency clock signal, after the output of counter reaches a predetermined range.

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