Multiphase Frequency-to-Voltage Converter for Fast VCO Settling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closed loop oscillators in electronic systems have significant settling times upon reactivation, which degrades system performance and is sensitive to operating temperature, affecting power consumption and stability.
Innovation Solution
A multiphase frequency to voltage converter with a fast settling response is developed, utilizing a divide by three sequencer and three-phase frequency to voltage circuit with error amplification and compensation networks to stabilize the Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) system, reducing sensitivity to temperature variations and process gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If existing closed loop oscillators are used, then the system can operate with a frequency reference, but the settling time upon reactivation is significant which degrades system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator system is segmented into multiple independent phases (first phase oscillator, second phase oscillator, third phase oscillator) that can operate independently. This segmentation allows the system to switch between phases without requiring complete settling of all oscillators, thereby reducing settling time while maintaining reliability through phase diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains multiple oscillators running in parallel beforehand, with at least one oscillator already in a stable state. When reactivation is needed, the system can immediately switch to a pre-stabilized phase rather than waiting for settling, thus eliminating the settling time penalty while preserving system performance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If existing closed loop oscillators are used, then the system can maintain frequency stability, but the settling time and stability significantly depend on operating temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters by maintaining multiple oscillators at different phases simultaneously, rather than relying on a single oscillator's temperature-compensated stability. This parameter change allows the system to achieve temperature-insensitive performance through phase selection rather than temperature-dependent tuning.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillator system uses a composite architecture combining multiple oscillators with different phase characteristics. This composite structure provides temperature compensation through diversity, where the combined system's stability is less sensitive to temperature variations than individual oscillators, achieving both frequency stability and temperature independence.
3Use of energy by moving object
If existing closed loop oscillators are used, then the system can function with a single frequency reference, but power consumption increases due to significant settling times
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by keeping multiple oscillators running in parallel rather than shutting down and resetting a single oscillator. This continuity eliminates the energy-wasting settling period while maintaining the frequency reference function, thereby reducing overall power consumption without sacrificing performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for multiphase frequency to voltage conversion includes generating for each cycle of an oscillating input, one of a plurality of non-overlapping clocks. A respective voltage in proportion to an input frequency of the oscillating input, is generated in response to each of the non-overlapping clocks, with a respective one of a plurality of frequency to voltage converters. Each of the respective voltages is summated to generate a voltage sum proportional to the input frequency.