Crystal Oscillator Quick Startup Using Resonator Ringing Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rapid start-up oscillator circuits face challenges in achieving low power consumption and fast startup times due to frequency mismatches between injection oscillators and high-Q resonators, which are often addressed with costly and energy-intensive calibration methods.
Innovation Solution
The technology automatically adjusts the frequency of an injection oscillator to match the resonance frequency of a high-Q resonator by observing the ringing response to a voltage step input, using a delay-line that locks within 5 cycles, allowing for sub-1000 ppm accuracy and enabling quick startup of crystal or other high-Q oscillators without factory calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If factory calibration is used to achieve precise injection frequency, then frequency matching accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically measuring the resonator's actual frequency and adjusting the injection oscillator to match it, eliminating the need for external factory calibration processes
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency measurement and adjustment is performed in advance during startup before normal operation begins, ensuring accurate frequency matching without requiring complex factory calibration procedures
2Measurement precision
If injection oscillator frequency is swept or dithered to address mismatches, then frequency matching is improved, but startup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator frequency is measured and the injection oscillator is adjusted to match it during a brief preliminary startup phase, enabling fast startup without requiring continuous sweeping or dithering operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the measured resonator frequency to automatically adjust the injection oscillator frequency, eliminating the need for open-loop sweeping or dithering techniques that extend startup time
3Measurement precision
If factory calibration is performed for each chip, then frequency matching accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each device performs its own frequency calibration during startup without requiring external factory calibration equipment or processes, dramatically reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining high frequency matching accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration function is extracted from the factory manufacturing process and integrated into the device's startup operation, eliminating the need for costly external calibration equipment and processes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables extremely fast startup times with minimal energy penalty, achieving sub-1000 ppm frequency matching and reducing the need for costly calibration, thus addressing the limitations of prior techniques.
Implementation Method 1
switching said resonator from said at least one voltage source to said amplifier induces a voltage step to the resonator of the primary oscillator, thus causing the resonator to generate a ringing response having a given period
Data Source
AI summary
Oscillator quick-startup circuit and method in which a voltage step is applied to a resonator (crystal) resulting in ringing which is amplified and fed into a locking circuit which locks to it, such as a programmable delay circuit. Once locking is complete, then the circuit is switched into a standalone oscillator mode, having a feedback path, the output of this injection oscillator energizes the resonator for achieving quick startup of a primary oscillator, in response to it automatically adjusting injection oscillator frequency to match the frequency of the resonator. A digital circuit controls the configuring of the circuit for applying the voltage step, adjusting the locking circuit, and then switching into a standalone oscillator mode.