IP Library Granted Patent US 8,212,597
Granted Patent B2
US 8,212,597 · App. 12/688,098 · Granted Jul 3, 2012

Method for detecting the locking of a phase-locked loop and associated device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,212,597
App. No.
12/688,098
Granted
Jul 3, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method is for detecting locking of a phase-locked loop that generates an output signal and includes a phase comparator receiving, as an input, a reference signal and a second signal based upon the output signal. A time window having a duration of at least two periods of a third signal based upon the output signal, and located about a payload edge of the second signal, is generated. A first comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a first payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a first side of the payload edge of the second signal is performed. A second comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a second payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a second side of the payload edge of the second signal is then performed. Locking of the phase-locked loop based upon the reference signal and the second signal being equal during the first and second comparisons is detected.

Claims (40)

1. A method of detecting locking of a phase-locked loop that generates an output signal and comprises a phase comparator receiving, as an input, a reference signal and a second signal based upon the output signal, the method comprising:

generating a time window having a duration of at least two periods of a third signal based upon the output signal, and located about a payload edge of the second signal;

performing a first comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a first payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a first side of the payload edge of the second signal;

performing a second comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a second payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a second side of the payload edge of the second signal; and

detecting locking of the phase-locked loop based upon the reference signal and the second signal being equal during the first and second comparisons.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time window is generated centered on the payload edge of the second signal.

3. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising generating another time window having a duration equal to two periods of the third signal and being centered on a falling edge of the second signal.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the generating, performing the first and second comparisons, and the generating are successively performed a plurality of times.

5. A method of detecting locking of a phase-locked loop that generates an output signal and comprises a phase comparator receiving, as an input, a reference signal and a second signal based upon the output signal, the method comprising:

generating a time window having a duration of at least two periods of a third signal based upon the output signal, and centered on a payload edge of the second signal;

performing a first comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a first payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a first side of the payload edge of the second signal;

performing a second comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a second payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a second side of the payload edge of the second signal; and

detecting locking of the phase-locked loop based upon the reference signal and the second signal being equal during the first and second comparisons;

the generating, performing the first and second comparisons, and the generating being successively performed a plurality of times.

6. A method according to claim 5 , further comprising generating another time window having a duration equal to two periods of the third signal and being centered on a falling edge of the second signal.

7. An electronic device for detecting locking of a phase-locked loop and generating an output signal, the electronic device comprising:

a phase comparator receiving as an input a reference signal and a second signal based upon the output signal;

generation circuitry configured to generate a time window having a time width equal to at least two periods of a third signal based upon the output signal;

comparison circuitry configured to perform

a first comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a first payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a first side of the payload edge of the second signal, and

a second comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a second payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a second side of the payload edge of the second signal;

control circuitry configured to activate the generation and comparison circuitry; and

detection circuitry configured to generate a signal for detecting the locking of the phase-locked loop based upon the reference signal and the second signal being equal.

8. A device according to claim 7 , wherein the generation circuitry is further configured to generate the time window centered on a payload edge of the second signal.

9. A device according to claim 7 , wherein the comparison circuitry comprises a D flip-flop having a clock input that receives the time window, and a comparison logic module configured to perform a logic AND operation.

10. A device according claim 7 , wherein the generation circuitry is further configured to generate another time window with a time width corresponding to two periods of the third signal and centered on a falling edge of the second signal.

11. A device according to claim 10 , wherein the comparison circuitry comprises first and second D flip-flops having clock inputs each receiving the output signal from a windowing logic module configured to perform an AND logic operation of the time window signal with the third signal, the first D flip-flop receiving as an input the reference signal, and the second D flip-flop receiving as an input the output signal of the first D flip-flop.

12. A device according to claim 10 , wherein the comparison circuitry comprises first and second D flip-flops having clock inputs and receiving as an input the reference signal, the clock input of the first D flip-flop receiving an output signal of a first logic module configured to perform an AND logic operation of the third signal with a first analysis-authorization signal for a first payload edge of the third signal, and the clock input of the second D flip-flop receiving an output signal of a second logic module configured to perform an AND logic operation of the third signal with a second analysis-authorization signal for a second payload edge of the third signal.

13. An electronic device for detecting locking of a phase-locked loop and generating an output signal, the electronic device comprising:

a phase comparator receiving as an input a reference signal and a second signal based upon the output signal;

generation circuitry configured to generate a time window having a time width equal to at least two periods of a third signal based upon the output signal and located about a payload edge of the second signal;

comparison circuitry configured to perform

a first comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a first payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a first side of the payload edge of the second signal, and

a second comparison of the reference signal and the second signal at a second payload edge of the third signal within the time window and on a second side of the said payload edge of the second signal;

control circuitry configured to activate the generation and comparison circuitry; and

detection circuitry configured to generate a signal for detecting the locking of the phase-locked loop based upon the reference signal and the second signal being equal.

14. A device according to claim 13 , wherein the comparison circuitry comprises a D flip-flop having a clock input that receives the time window, and a comparison logic module configured for performing a logic AND operation.

15. A device according claim 13 , wherein the generation circuitry is further configured to generate another time window with a time width corresponding to two periods of the third signal and centered on a falling edge of the second signal.

16. A device according to claim 15 , wherein the comparison circuitry comprises first and second D flip-flops having clock inputs each receiving the output signal from a windowing logic module configured to perform an AND logic operation of the time window signal with the third signal, the first D flip-flop receiving as an input the reference signal, and the second D flip-flop receiving as an input the output signal of the first D flip-flop.

17. A device according to claim 15 , wherein the comparison circuitry comprises first and second D flip-flops having clock inputs and receiving as an input the reference signal, the clock input of the first D flip-flop receiving an output signal of a first logic module configured to perform an AND logic operation of the third signal with a first analysis-authorization signal for a first payload edge of the third signal, and the clock input of the second D flip-flop receiving an output signal of a second logic module configured to perform an AND logic operation of the third signal with a second analysis-authorization signal for a second payload edge of the third signal.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE ASSIGNEE ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 060161 FRAME: 0346. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jun 16, 2022
From: FRANCE BREVETS
To: MICROELECTRONIC INNOVATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 060389/0768 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2022
From: FRANCE BREVETS
To: MICROELECTRONIC INNOVATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 060161/0346 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2016
From: STMICROELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL NV
To: FRANCE BREVETS
Reel/Frame 039140/0584 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2016
From: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS
To: STMICROELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL NV
Reel/Frame 037841/0777 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 15, 2010
From: KRAEMER, MICHAEL; RIEUBON, SEBASTIEN
To: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS
Reel/Frame 023795/0230 →