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Abstract

A signal generator including a calibration circuit for providing periodic recalibration of the generator, including a reference frequency source for producing a fixed frequency signal. A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) for producing a variable frequency signal in accordance with a voltage input to the VCO. An adjustable dividing network coupled to the VCO for dividing the variable frequency signal by a particular divider (N) to produce an output signal equal to the variable frequency signal divided by 'N'. A phase detector coupled to the reference frequency source and the dividing network for producing an error signal in accordance with the difference between the fixed frequency signal and the output signal. A filter coupled to the phase detector for producing an error voltage signal representative of the error signal. A programmable nonvolatile storage for storing a plurality of individual values representative of the plurality of frequency steps from the VCO. A converter coupled to the programmable storage for converting the stored values to a plurality of individual voltage signals. A summer coupled to the filter and the converter for summing the signals and applying the summed signals to the VCO for controlling the VCO to particular frequency steps. A comparator coupled to the phase detector for comparing the error signal to a fixed reference for producing a control signal in accordance with the comparison, and a controller coupled to the comparator and the programmable storage for reprogramming the plurality of individual values to recalibrate the frequency steps in accordance with the control signal.

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