Crystal Oscillator Amplitude Control for Low Phase Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices face challenges in adjusting the amplitude of crystal oscillators to minimize phase noise at a low cost, as they often rely on expensive external elements like temperature-compensated crystal oscillators.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device comprising a signal generator, a comparator, and a control signal adjustor that adjusts the amplitude of a sinewave based on a comparison with a reference signal, optimizing the amplitude to minimize phase noise through current and timing control signals, implemented using hardware and/or software components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If temperature compensated crystal oscillators are used to achieve stable frequency output, then frequency stability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive temperature compensated crystal oscillators with a simpler crystal oscillator circuit that uses inexpensive components. The invention achieves acceptable frequency stability through software-based temperature compensation algorithms rather than relying on expensive hardware TCXO components, thereby reducing device cost while maintaining functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes hardware-based temperature compensation mechanisms with software-based algorithms. Instead of using mechanical or electrical temperature compensation circuits found in TCXO, the invention uses digital signal processing and software algorithms to compensate for temperature effects on crystal oscillator frequency, reducing hardware complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If crystal oscillator amplitude is adjusted to minimize phase noise, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic amplitude adjustment mechanism where the crystal oscillator circuit self-regulates its output amplitude through feedback control. The system automatically detects and adjusts amplitude levels to minimize phase noise without requiring complex external control circuits, thereby improving signal quality while keeping the device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the amplitude parameter of the crystal oscillator output signal to optimize phase noise characteristics. By dynamically changing the amplitude parameter through control signals, the system achieves improved signal quality and minimized phase noise without adding significant circuit complexity.
3Measurement precision
If external crystal elements are used in oscillators, then frequency accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive crystal elements instead of expensive temperature compensated crystal oscillators. The invention compensates for the lower inherent accuracy of simple crystal elements through software-based temperature compensation and calibration algorithms, achieving acceptable frequency accuracy at reduced cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device and a method for controlling amplitude of signal in the semiconductor device are provided. The semiconductor device comprises a signal generator configured to output a sinewave, a comparator configured to compare a magnitude of the sinewave with a magnitude of a reference signal at a first timing corresponding to a timing control signal and to output a comparison result, and a control signal adjustor configured to adjust one of the current control signal and a timing control signal depending on the comparison result of the comparator.