Adaptively reconfigurable time-to-digital converter for digital phase-locked loops

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9979405
SERIAL NO

15429481

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Abstract

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A digital PLL is disclosed. In one embodiment, the digital PLL includes a TDC coupled to receive a reference clock signal and feedback signal. The TDC includes a chain of serially-coupled delay elements. An oscillator in the PLL is configured to generate a periodic output signal. A divider is coupled to receive the periodic output signal and generate the feedback signal provided to the TDC. The digital PLL also includes a control circuit. During a phase-locking procedure, each of the serially-coupled delay elements is enabled for fast phase capture. However, once phase-lock has been detected by observing TDC output code, the control circuit is adaptively configured to disable all but a subset of the delay elements for saving power.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
APPLE INC1 INFINITE LOOP CUPERTINO CA 95014

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Chiang, Meei-Ling Cupertino, US 14 183
Deng, Wei San Jose, US 180 1768
Fischette,, Jr Dennis M Mountain View, US 11 25
Maltabas, Samed Santa Clara, US 7 9

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