Importance

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Abstract

A fractional-n frequency divider that overcomes the presence of so-called dead zones in known frequency divider circuits, n divider cells (3) are connected so as to form a ripple counter (n being an integer greater than or equal to two) and an output multiplexer (22) is provided with a clock signal (24) and an inverted clock signal (25) by the nth divider cell. A polarity circuit (26) generates a polarity signal (23) which clocks the output multiplexer (22) so as to controllably combine the clock signal and the inverted clock signal to produce an output signal (5). A toggle signal (9) toggles between a first and a second integer division configuration so as to provide for fractional divisional outputs therebetween. With n 2/3 divider cells (3) the division ratio therefore can take any fractional value that satisfies the following inequality 2 (n-1) less than or equal to division ratio less than or equal to 2 (n+1)-1.

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First Claim