IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,256,629
Granted Patent B2
US 7,256,629 · App. 11/385,181 · Granted Aug 14, 2007

Phase-locked loops

Assignee: Skyworks, Solutions, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,256,629
App. No.
11/385,181
Granted
Aug 14, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A phase-locked loop (PLL) is disclosed. One embodiment, among others, includes a PLL that provides a control signal and a square root module configured to receive state information, the state information corresponding to tuning information, the square root module further configured to multiply the control signal by a square root of the state information to provide a tuning signal.

Claims (42)

1. A method for operating a phase-locked loop (PLL), said method comprising:

providing a control signal;

receiving state information, the state information corresponding to tuning information;

multiplying the control signal by a square root of the state information to provide a tuning signal; and

providing the tuning signal to a capacitor array, the capacitor array comprising a weighted variable capacitor and a weighted switched capacitor.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the weighted variable capacitor and the weighted switched capacitor array are binary weighted.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is provided by a charge pump through a low pass filter.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the state information is provided by a frequency control circuit.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the capacitor array is disposed in an oscillator, the oscillator located in the PLL.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the multiplying is performed in a square root module.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing a control signal comprises providing a control current.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:

varying the control current in proportion to the inverse of N squared, wherein N is a ratio of an output frequency of the PLL to a reference frequency of the PLL, wherein varying the control current compensates for bandwidth changes of the PLL.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein varying includes varying a magnitude of the control current.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein varying includes altering current flow provided by at least one current source, wherein the at least one current source provides the control current.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one current source is disposed in a charge pump, the charge pump disposed in the PLL.

12. The method of claim 10 , further including receiving a value of N, wherein the altering is based on the value of N.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a detector; and

varying the gain of the detector in proportion to the inverse of N squared, wherein N is a ratio of an output frequency of the PLL to a reference frequency of the PLL, wherein varying the gain of the detector compensates for bandwidth changes of the PLL.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the detector includes at least one of a phase detector and a frequency detector.

15. A phase-locked loop (PLL), comprising:

a signal device configured to provide a control signal; and

a square root module configured to receive state information, the state information corresponding to tuning information, the square root module further configured to multiply the control signal by a square root of the state information to provide a tuning signal.

16. The phase-locked loop of claim 15 , further including an oscillator having a capacitor array, the oscillator coupled to the square root module, the capacitor array comprising at least one weighted variable capacitor and at least one weighted switched capacitor.

17. The phase-locked loop of claim 16 , wherein the oscillator is configured to receive the tuning signal such that the capacitor array is tuned.

18. The phase-locked loop of claim 16 , wherein the at least one weighted variable capacitor and at least one weighted switched capacitor array are binary weighted.

19. The phase-locked loop of claim 15 , wherein the signal device comprises a current generating device that is configured to generate a control current.

20. The phase-locked loop of claim 19 , further comprising:

a switching module configured to vary the control current in proportion to the inverse of N squared, wherein N is a ratio of an output frequency of the PLL to a reference frequency of the PLL.

21. The phase-locked loop of claim 20 , wherein the current generating device includes at least one current source and at least one switch that controls a flow of current through the at least one current source.

22. The phase-locked loop of claim 20 , wherein the switching module is configured to activate the at least one switch based on a value of N programmed into the PLL.

23. The phase-locked loop of claim 20 , wherein the switching module is configured to activate the at least one switch based on a threshold range of N.

24. The phase-locked loop of claim 19 , wherein the current generating device is a charge pump.

25. The phase-locked loop of claim 24 , further including a loop filter, an oscillator, a divide-by-N module, and a phase/frequency detection device, wherein the loop filter is disposed between the charge pump and the oscillator, the divide-by-N module is disposed between the oscillator and the phase/frequency device, the phase/frequency device is coupled to the charge pump.

26. The phase-locked loop of claim 25 , wherein the charge pump, the loop filter, the oscillator, the divide-by-N module, and the phase/frequency detection device are disposed on a single semiconductor chip.

27. The phase-locked loop of claim 15 , further comprising:

a detector; and

a switching module configured to vary the gain of the detector in proportion to the inverse of N squared, wherein N is a ratio of an output frequency of the PLL to a reference frequency of the PLL.

28. The phase-locked loop of claim 27 , wherein the detector includes one of a phase detector and a frequency detector.

29. The phase-locked loop of claim 28 , further including a loop filter, an oscillator, and a divide-by-N module, the loop filter disposed between the detector and the oscillator, the divide-by-N module disposed between the oscillator and the detector.

30. The phase-locked loop of claim 29 , wherein the loop filter, the oscillator, the divide-by-N module, and the detector are disposed on a single semiconductor chip.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 6, 2007
From: ZACHAN, JEFFREY M.; HATCHER, GEOFF; YOUSSOUFIAN, EDWARD
To: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 019389/0417 →
Continuity (2)
Division 1084926600 · May 19, 2004
Related Publication 20060158235A1 · Jul 20, 2006