Phase-Coherent Signal Generator Using Timed Phase Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase-locked loops (PLLs) lose initial phase information upon reset or reinitialization, resulting in non-coherent source signals, which complicates applications requiring coherent signals and increases system complexity, power consumption, and cost.
Innovation Solution
A signal generator with a phase setting circuit and memory circuit that loads a phase setting value at specific times to control the phase of the source signal, allowing for coherent phase maintenance across different operational periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple PLLs are used to achieve phase coherency, then phase coherence is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing phase setting values in a memory circuit before signal generation. When the signal generator is reinitialized, it loads the pre-computed phase setting value from memory, which determines the initial phase of the VCO. This ensures that the phase trajectory is coherent with previous operations without requiring multiple PLLs, thus maintaining phase coherence while reducing system complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple PLLs are used to achieve phase coherency, then phase coherence is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent computes and stores the required phase setting values in advance in a memory circuit. During operation, the system simply retrieves the pre-computed value from memory and loads it into the phase setting circuit, rather than maintaining multiple active PLLs. This preliminary computation approach significantly reduces power consumption while ensuring phase coherence is maintained across reinitialization events.
3Adaptability or versatility
If PLL is reset or settings are changed, then system is reinitialized, but phase coherence is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores pre-computed phase setting values in a memory circuit before reinitialization occurs. When the PLL is reset or settings are changed, the system loads the appropriate phase setting value from memory, which was pre-calculated to ensure coherent phase trajectory. This allows the system to be reinitialized while maintaining phase coherence with previous operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the phase setting value stored in memory is determined based on the phase trajectory of previously generated signals. The system uses information about the original phase trajectory to compute and store the correct phase setting value that will maintain coherence upon reinitialization, creating a feedback loop that preserves phase information.
Data Source
AI summary
A signal generator and a method which provides a source signal with a coherent phase at arbitrary times is presented. There is provided a signal generator for generating a source signal based on a reference signal. The signal generator has a phase setting circuit with a memory circuit operable between a plurality of states. The memory circuit has a phase setting input adapted to receive a phase setting value to set the memory circuit to a known state. The signal generator is adapted to load the phase setting value at a specific time to control a phase of the source signal.