Frequency Synthesizer Locking Using Compensated Modulus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frequency generators in electronic devices face challenges with power management, as reducing power consumption increases latency and delays in communication operations, particularly in low-power modes where restarting locked loops after standby periods results in significant relocking delays, impacting device performance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a frequency synthesizer with accelerated locking by using a higher reference frequency and a compensated modulus value to quickly restart the frequency generator, combining a precise fixed-frequency oscillator signal with a less precise voltage-based reference signal to maintain accuracy and reduce latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power consumption is reduced by using lower reference frequencies in low-power mode, then energy efficiency is improved, but relocking duration and latency increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores a compensated modulus value that accounts for the frequency difference between the low-power reference signal and the fixed-frequency oscillator. This preliminary computation enables the frequency generator to lock quickly to the higher frequency reference signal without requiring lengthy calibration, thus reducing relocking duration while maintaining power efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the reference frequency parameter dynamically between high-power mode (higher frequency for fast locking) and low-power mode (lower frequency for energy efficiency). By applying a compensated modulus value, the system ensures that the output frequency remains accurate despite the parameter change, resolving the contradiction between power consumption and relocking speed
2Loss of time
If a higher reference frequency is used to accelerate locking, then relocking duration is reduced, but output frequency precision deteriorates due to voltage-based oscillator inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed-frequency oscillator acts as an intermediary reference that bridges the voltage-based reference signal and the frequency generator. The compensated modulus value is calculated based on the stable fixed-frequency oscillator characteristics, allowing the system to use the fast voltage-based reference signal while maintaining precision through the stable intermediary reference
Solution Approach 2:
The system substitutes the traditional direct use of voltage-based oscillator frequency for frequency generation with a compensated approach using a stable fixed-frequency oscillator as the primary reference. This substitution replaces the inaccurate voltage-based frequency determination with a precise oscillator reference, maintaining output frequency precision while allowing fast voltage-based oscillation for accelerated locking
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is disclosed that implements frequency synthesis with accelerated locking. In an example aspect, the apparatus includes an oscillating signal source, a modulus compensator, and a frequency generator. The oscillating signal source is configured to provide a reference signal having a reference frequency. The modulus compensator is coupled to the oscillating signal source and is configured to receive the reference signal. The modulus compensator is configured to produce a compensated modulus value based on the reference frequency, a fixed oscillator frequency of a fixed-frequency oscillator signal, and a modulus value. The frequency generator is coupled to the oscillating signal source and the modulus compensator and is configured to receive the compensated modulus value. The frequency generator is configured to generate an output signal having an output frequency that is based on the reference frequency and the compensated modulus value.