IP Library Granted Patent US 8,264,286
Granted Patent B2
US 8,264,286 · App. 12/461,931 · Granted Sep 11, 2012

Phase-locked loop circuit

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,264,286
App. No.
12/461,931
Granted
Sep 11, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A first exemplary aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is a phase-locked loop circuit including: a voltage-current converter that converts a control voltage into a control current, the control voltage generated according to a phase difference between an input pulse signal and a feedback pulse signal fed back from an output side of a current controlled oscillator; the current controlled oscillator that generates an output pulse signal having a frequency according to the control current; a current detection unit that detects the control current; and a frequency range switch that switches a frequency range of the output pulse signal according to the detected control current.

Claims (23)

1. A phase-locked loop circuit comprising:

a voltage-current converter that converts a control voltage into a control current, the control voltage generated according to a phase difference between an input pulse signal and a feedback pulse signal fed back from an output side of a current controlled oscillator;

the current controlled oscillator that generates an output pulse signal having a frequency according to the control current;

a current detection unit that detects the control current;

a frequency range switch that switches a frequency range of the output pulse signal according to the detected control current; and

a lock detection circuit that detects a lock state in which the output pulse signal is locked to the input pulse signal,

wherein the frequency range switch switches the frequency range of the output pulse signal according to the detected control current and a detection result of the detection circuit.

2. The phase-locked loop circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the frequency range switch comprises a frequency divider that determines a dividing ratio based on the detected control current.

3. A phase-locked loop circuit comprising:

a voltage-current converter that converts a control voltage into a control current, the control voltage generated according to a phase difference between an input pulse signal and a feedback pulse signal fed back from an output side of a current controlled oscillator;

the current controlled oscillator that generates an output pulse signal having a frequency according to the control current;

a current detection unit that detects the control current; and

a frequency range switch that switches a frequency range of the output pulse signal according to the detected control current,

wherein the frequency range switch comprises one or a plurality of capacitors, each of the capacitors connected to an inverter in the current controlled oscillator through a switch.

4. The phase-locked loop circuit according to claim 3 , further comprising a lock detection circuit that detects a lock state in which the output pulse signal is locked to the input pulse signal,

wherein switching of the switch is controlled according to the detected control current and a detection result of the lock detection circuit.

5. The phase-locked loop circuit according to claim 1 , wherein a frequency of the input pulse signal is unknown.

6. The phase-locked loop circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the voltage-current converter and the current controlled oscillator constitute a voltage controlled oscillator.

7. The phase-locked loop circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising an offset current generation circuit that generates an offset current,

wherein the current controlled oscillator generates the output pulse signal having the frequency according to the control current to which the offset current is added.

8. The phase-locked loop circuit according to claim 3 , wherein the voltage-current converter and the current controlled oscillator constitute a voltage controlled oscillator.

9. The phase-locked loop circuit according to claim 3 , further comprising an offset current generation circuit that generates an offset current,

wherein the current controlled oscillator generates the output pulse signal having the frequency according to the control current to which the offset current is added.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Nov 29, 2017
From: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 044928/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 26, 2010
From: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025193/0165 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2009
From: HIRAI, YOSHITAKA
To: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 023200/0661 →