Programmable REG-VCO Realignment for Low Phase Noise and Jitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ring-type voltage controlled oscillators (RO-VCOs) in phase-locked loops experience performance degradation due to high gains and phase noise, leading to jitter performance issues that existing realignment techniques struggle to effectively address.
Innovation Solution
A programmable regulator voltage controlled ring oscillator (REG-VCO) is introduced, featuring a resistor bank array, PMOS devices, and a realignment portion that adjusts current and pulse width to realign the phase of the ring oscillator, improving phase noise and cycle-to-cycle jitter by using a programmable solution to control the strength of realignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing realignment techniques are used, then phase noise is reduced, but cycle-to-cycle jitter performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a programmable realignment mechanism where the realignment strength is dynamically adjustable through a programmable parameter. This allows the system to adapt the realignment intensity based on operating conditions, enabling optimization between phase noise reduction and cycle-to-cycle jitter performance. The dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to select appropriate realignment strength for different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of realignment strength from fixed to programmable variable. By introducing a programmable parameter that controls the realignment amount, the system can adjust this parameter to achieve optimal performance. This parameter change enables the system to reduce phase noise when needed while maintaining acceptable cycle-to-cycle jitter characteristics, resolving the technical contradiction between these two performance metrics.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If realignment strength is increased to reduce phase noise, then in-band noise decreases, but VCO gain increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the realignment strength programmable and adjustable, allowing dynamic control over the realignment amount. This dynamic capability enables the system to achieve sufficient in-band noise reduction while maintaining VCO gain within acceptable ranges by programmatically adjusting the realignment parameter to an optimal value that balances noise reduction with gain control.
Solution Approach 2:
By transforming the realignment strength from a fixed parameter to a programmable variable, the system can precisely control the amount of realignment applied. This parameter change allows optimization of the realignment strength to achieve the minimum necessary for in-band noise reduction without excessively increasing VCO gain, thereby resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and gain control.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed realignment techniques are applied, then implementation is simple, but adaptability to different operating conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a programmable realignment mechanism that allows the realignment strength to be adjusted based on different operating conditions. This dynamic programmability maintains relative implementation simplicity while significantly improving adaptability, as the same hardware structure can be configured for different realignment strengths through programming rather than requiring multiple fixed implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The programmable realignment structure serves multiple functions and adapts to different operating conditions through a single unified design. By making the realignment parameter programmable, the system achieves multi-functionality where the same circuit can be optimized for different performance requirements, resolving the contradiction between implementation simplicity and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods are described herein for aligning a phase of a ring oscillator and removing jitter. An oscillator includes a resistor bank array, an operational amplifier, a first and second transistor, and a realignment circuit. The resistor bank array has a plurality of resistors configured to generate a first signal. The operational amplifier is coupled to a PLL circuit and is configured to compare a voltage of the PLL circuit with a voltage of the resistor bank array. The first transistor is coupled between the operational amplifier and a ring oscillator. The first transistor is configured to generate a second signal to control a frequency of the ring oscillator during a realignment state. The realignment circuit is coupled to the first transistor and the ring oscillator. The realignment circuit is configured to generate a realignment signal to align the ring oscillator with a first clock signal.