Patent ID: 8149028
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A method for dividing a frequency, comprising: receiving a first signal having a first frequency as a clock input to a first digital counter; receiving a desired division ratio as a digitally input number; outputting a second signal as a clock input to a second digital counter having a higher counting capacity than the first counter, the output occurring when the first counter reaches a first number of count cycles; and generating a third signal having a high cycle and a low cycle, which are determined at least as a function of the first number of count cycles, the third signal having, in accordance with the desired division ratio, a frequency lower than the first frequency, wherein the high and low cycles of the third signal are determined as a function of the first number of count cycles, and not a second number of count cycles associated with the second counter, when a value of the desired division ratio does not exceed a predetermined threshold division ratio value, and as a function of both the first number of count cycles and the second number of count cycles when the value of the desired division ratio exceeds the threshold division ratio value.