This invention relates to a reference sampling phase-locked loop (PLL) adapted for low-
voltage applications, comprising: a reference sampling
phase detector module, a low-pass filter module, a
voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), a
frequency divider module, and a
clock signal generation module. This invention achieves normal sample-and-hold functionality by employing a high-level
boost inverter to reduce the on-resistance of the sampling switch and decrease the sampling
time constant under
low voltage. Simultaneously, it allows for the use of a larger sampling
capacitor to improve
noise, enabling normal sampling operation of the PLL under
low voltage and superior
clock jitter performance. Furthermore, by adding a low-pass filter at the output of the reference sampling
phase detector, high-frequency poles are introduced, improving reference spurious signals without affecting the
phase margin. Finally, a combination of a current-mode logic divider and a multi-mode programmable divider is used to ensure normal operation of the reference sampling PLL under
low voltage and superior spurious and
clock jitter performance.