Patent ID: 7411464
Filing Date: 2008-08-12
Classification: H03K,H03L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for providing a periodic signal, the apparatus comprising: a first circuit that generates a periodic signal, wherein the first circuit comprises a sub-circuit that is a voltage controlled oscillator cell; a second circuit that is substantially identical to the sub-circuit; configurable connections coupled to the sub-circuit and the second circuit; a control circuit that configures the configurable connections, wherein in a first configuration, the configurable connections are connected such that the sub-circuit and the second circuit are connected in parallel, and in a second configuration, the configurable connections are disconnected such that the sub-circuit and the second circuit are not connected in parallel; and a regulator circuit coupled to the second circuit wherein the regulator circuit provides power to the second circuit in the first configuration and provides substantially no power to the second circuit in the second configuration.