# Patent

## Title
VCO with automatic calibration

## Abstract

Voltage-controlled oscillator with apparatus for automatic calibration. The voltage-controlled oscillator includes switches connecting associated coarse-tuning capacitors to an LC resonant tank of the oscillator. The voltage-controlled oscillator also comprises a calibration loop used to appropriately set the switches associated with the coarse tuning apparatus based on a oscillator control signal.

## Background
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This Application claims the benefit of priority of a co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “VCO WITH AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION” Ser. No. 60/373,177 filed on Apr. 17, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.


FIELD
The present invention relates generally to voltage-controlled oscillators, and more particularly, to automatic calibration of voltage-controlled oscillators with coarse tuning elements to operate over a wide frequency band or multiple frequency bands.
BACKGROUND
Voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO) are critical components in phase-locked loop (PLL) circuits used to synthesize radio frequencies in communication transceivers. A typical PLL circuit is shown in FIG. 1. The PLL implements a feedback system and consists of a VCO, N counter, phase/frequency detector (P/FD) and charge pump (CP). The feedback drives the phase difference (□θ) between the reference signal (Ref) and the output of the N counter towards zero by creating a control voltage νcrtl that adjusts the VCO to the proper frequency and phase offset. When locked, the PLL generates an output signal (RF signal) with a frequency fVCO equal to;

fVCO=NfREF 

where N is the value of the N-counter and fREF is the frequency of the reference signal.

The PLL and associated VCO typically support one or more frequency bands. A single frequency band, such as those used in the Personal Communication System (PCS) or the Universal Mobile Telephony System (UMTS), spans 60 MHz, while these two bands together cover 180 MHz. However, using a conventional VCO to cover such a wide frequency band or multiple bands produces degraded performance and phase noise. This makes the PLL design especially challenging.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a VCO that can operator over a wide frequency range without sacrificing performance or degraded phase noise.
SUMMARY
In one or more embodiments, a PLL system that includes automatic calibration and coarse tuning of a VCO is provided. Because of the automatic calibration of the VCO, the PLL system is capable of operating over a wide frequency range.
In one embodiment included in the present invention, apparatus is provided for automatic tuning of a voltage-controlled oscillator within a phase-locked loop. The apparatus comprises a voltage-controlled oscillator that includes switches connecting associated coarse-tuning capacitors to an LC resonant tank of the oscillator. The apparatus also comprises a calibration loop used to appropriately set the switches associated with the coarse tuning capacitors.
In another embodiment included in the present invention, a method is provided for automatic tuning of a voltage-controlled oscillator within a phase-locked loop. The method comprises steps of operating a phase-locked loop that includes a voltage-controlled oscillator with coarse-tuning elements, setting switches in a way that successively disconnects coarse-tuning elements to the voltage-controlled oscillator, monitoring a phase-locked loop control voltage after each successive switch is opened, and indicating whether the control voltage is above, below, or within a prescribed operating range.
In another embodiment included in the present invention, apparatus is provided for monitoring the control voltage generated by the phase-locked loop. The apparatus comprises a reference circuit that produces two voltages that define the prescribed operating range for the phase-locked loop's control voltage, a set of comparators that connect to the phase-locked loop's control voltage as well as one each of the two voltages produced by the reference circuit, producing a pair of output signals, and a latch generator that drives a pair of latches used to sample the output of the comparators.
In another embodiment included in the present invention, apparatus is provided for generating a latch signal that samples the output of a window comparator. The apparatus comprises a counter, initialized each time a coarse-tuning element is switched, that produces an output signal after a period of time equal to or greater to than the longest settling delay of a phase-locked loop.
In another embodiment included in the present invention, apparatus is provided for generating a latch signal that samples the output of a window comparator. The apparatus comprises a differentiating circuit coupled to the control signal of the phase-locked loop that produces a derivative signal, an absolute function circuit that operates on the derivative signal and produces a settling error signal, and a comparator that toggles every time the settling error drops below a prescribed threshold and thus provides the latch signal.
In another embodiment, a communication device is provided that comprises a PLL and associated VCO, wherein the VCO comprises an LC resonant tank circuit and the communication device further comprises apparatus for automatic calibration of the VCO. The apparatus comprises a plurality of coarse-tuning capacitors, and a plurality of switches operable to selectively connect the plurality of coarse-tuning capacitors to the LC resonant tank circuit based on a VCO control voltage.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing aspects and the attendant advantages of the embodiments described herein will become more readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a typical PLL circuit;
FIG. 2 shows a PLL feedback system used to synthesize a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal;
FIG. 3 shows a mathematical model of the PLL system of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a VCO;
FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a VCO with course tuning capacitors constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 6 shows a functional diagram of one embodiment of a PLL system constructed in accordance with the present invention that comprises the VCO with coarse tuning capacitors, as shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a successive approximation algorithm for adjusting a control voltage (νcrtl) of the PLL system shown in FIG. 6 in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 8 shows a graph that illustrates how the feedback system of the PLL's of FIG. 6 responds in one of the three ways to the level of the νcrtl signal;
FIG. 9 shows a detailed diagram of one embodiment of the search network and SAR register shown in FIG. 6 constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of a search network that operates to ensure that settling of the control signal νcrtl has occurred;
FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a search network that operates to ensure that settling of the control signal νcrtl has occurred;
FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of a circuit for generating reference voltages VREF1 and VREF2; and
FIG. 13 shows a communication network that includes various communication devices that comprise PLL systems with VCOs constructed in accordance with the present invention.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In one or more embodiments, a PLL system that includes automatic calibration and coarse tuning of a voltage-controlled oscillator is provided.
FIG. 2 shows a PLL feedback system used to synthesize a radio frequency (RF) carrier signal. The system comprises a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), N counter, phase/frequency detector (P/FD), charge pump (CP), and integration filter. The integration filter comprises resistor (R) and capacitor (C).
FIG. 3 shows a mathematical model of the PLL system of FIG. 2. The VCO 302 produces an output signal 304 at a frequency set by control voltage νcrtl, which can be expressed as;

νout(t)=Ac cos(ωfreet+Kvco∫νctrl(t)dt) 

where ωfree is the free-running frequency of the oscillator and Kvco is its gain function. The gain function Kvco describes the relationship between the excess phase of the carrier Φout(s) and the control voltage νctrl, i.e.; 



  
    
      
        Φ
        out
      
      ⁡
      
        (
        s
        )
      
    
    
      
        ν
        ctrl
      
      ⁡
      
        (
        s
        )
      
    
  
  =
  
    
      K
      vco
    
    s
  




The N counter 306 simply divides the output phase Φout(s) by N. When the PLL is locked, the phase/frequency detector 308 and charge pump 310 generate a charge pump output signal icp(s) based the phase difference □θ between the N counter's output signal and the reference signal (Ref) expressed as; 



  
    
      i
      CP
    
    ⁡
    
      (
      s
      )
    
  
  =
  
    
      K
      PD
    
    ⁢
    
      
        Δθ
        ⁡
        
          (
          s
          )
        
      
      
        2
        ⁢
        π
      
    
  




A simple integration filter, consisting of resistor R and capacitor C, transforms the charge pump output signal to the control voltage (Vctrl), where; 



  
    
      ν
      ctrl
    
    ⁡
    
      (
      s
      )
    
  
  =
  
    
      
        i
        CP
      
      ⁡
      
        (
        s
        )
      
    
    ⁢
    
      (
      
        R
        +
        
          1
          sC
        
      
      )
    
  




Combining the above transfer functions yields the following composite transfer function; 



  
    T
    ⁡
    
      (
      s
      )
    
  
  =
  
    
      
        K
        PD
      
      ⁢
      
        
          K
          VCO
        
        ⁡
        
          (
          
            Rs
            +
            
              1
              C
            
          
          )
        
      
    
    
      
        s
        2
      
      +
      
        
          K
          PD
        
        ⁢
        
          K
          VCO
        
        ⁢
        
          1
          N
        
        ⁢
        
          (
          
            Rs
            +
            
              1
              C
            
          
          )
        
      
    
  




where a zero (at 1/RC) provides added stability to the second order system.

The behavior of the feedback system depends on key parameters in the transfer function, namely the damping factor ζ and the natural frequency ωn of the system. These parameters are found by mapping the denominator of the composite transfer function to the general 2nd order characteristic equation s2+2ζωns+ωn2.
In practice, the values of KPD and Kvco change with control voltage νctrl. This is because both the charge pump current icp(s) (which affects KPD) and the response of a variable capacitor in the VCO (which affects KVCO) vary with the level of νctrl. The variable capacitor is actually nonlinear and its operating range is important. A large operating range allows the VCO to be tuned over a wide bandwidth of frequencies. However, this also results in a large sensitivity to νctrl and thus increases the noise level of the PLL. In contrast, a small operating range reduces the system's sensitivity to noise while shrinking the VCO's tuning range.
FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a VCO 400. The VCO 400 oscillates at a radio frequency set by the resonance of an LC tank circuit 402. A variable capacitor C2—that may be realized as a varactor diode—allows the VCO 400 to be tuned to different radio frequencies. Capacitors C3a and C3b cross-couple the output signal (VLO) and provide positive feedback to a transistor differential pair (Q1, Q2) to replace energy lost in the resonant LC tank 402, and thereby sustain oscillation.
FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a VCO 500 with course tuning capacitors constructed in accordance with the present invention. The coarse tuning capacitors (CT1a, CT2a, CT1b, and CT2b) are typically binary weighted and subdivide the tuning range so that the sensitivity of the VCO (at the varactor C2) can be reduced. The course tuning capacitors are also referred to tuning elements, and it is also possible that any other suitable tuning element may be substituted for the coarse tuning capacitors.
The NMOS transistors (S1a, S2a, S1b, and S2b) operate as switches. The switch control signals B1 and B2 are used to activate or deactivate the switches. Since these switches are not ideal, they present a limited impedance when in the off state and a non-zero impedance when in the on state. The limited off impedance is due to the drain-gate capacitance of the MOSFETs, which adds unwanted capacitance to the VCO 500. This unwanted capacitance limits the maximum frequency of oscillation and reduces the capacitance change attributed to the coarse-tuning capacitors. The non-zero on impedance is due to the channel resistance of the MOSFETs, which impacts the quality factor (Q) of the coarse-tuning capacitors and consequently degrades the phase noise of the VCO 500. As a result, there is a limit on the number or coarse-tuning capacitors that may be used before degraded VCO performance occurs. In one embodiment, the switches (S) may comprise mechanical switches or any other suitable type switch.
FIG. 6 shows a functional diagram of one embodiment of a PLL system 600 constructed in accordance with the present invention that comprises the VCO 500 with coarse tuning capacitors and switches as shown in FIG. 5 represented as (C Network). The system 600 also includes a successive approximation register (SAR) 602 that comprises a group of settable output bits (i.e., bits B1 and B2 in this embodiment), which are coupled to the switches (S). The system 600 also comprises search logic 604 that is used to control the SAR 602. The search logic 604 and the SAR 602 form a calibration loop with the VCO.
FIG. 7 shows one embodiment of a successive approximation algorithm 700 for adjusting a control voltage (νcrtl) of the PLL system 600 shown in FIG. 6 in accordance with the present invention. The algorithm 700 operates to step the values of the coarse-tuning capacitors (i.e., selectively enabling capacitors via the switches) of the VCO 500 until the control voltage νcrtl is centered midway between ground and V+.
The algorithm 700 performs an initialization 702 by setting the successive approximation register (S AR) 602, which connects the coarse-tuning capacitors to the LC resonant tank of the VCO 500 by setting the bits B1 and B2. As a result, the VCO oscillates at its minimum frequency—outside the frequency band and well below the program frequency (set by the value applied to the N counter). The phase/frequency detector drives the charge pump down (νcrtl approaches ground and thereby decreases the capacitance of the varactor diode), in an attempt to increase the VCO's frequency of oscillation high enough to obtain frequency lock.
At 704, the SAR is then triggered to clear its first bit, which disconnects the coarse-tuning capacitors CT1a and CT1b from the LC resonant tank of the VCO. This further decreases the capacitance of the LC resonant tank and raises the VCO's frequency of oscillation. At 706, a wait is performed to allow the control signal νctrl to settle.
At 708, a test is performed to compare the νctrl signal to the reference voltage (VREF2). If the νctrl is less than VREF2 the method proceeds to block 710. If the νctrl is greater than VREF2 the algorithm proceeds to block 712.
At block 710, the bit in the SAR register is set to zero and the algorithm proceeds to block 714. At block 712, a test is performed to compare the νctrl signal to the reference voltage (VREF1). If the νctrl signal is greater than VREF1 the algorithm proceeds to block 716. If the νctrl signal is less then VREF1 the algorithm proceeds to block 718.
At block 718, the bit is set to zero and the algorithm proceeds to block 720 where the algorithm is completed. At block 716, the bit is set to one and the algorithm proceeds to block 714. At block 714, a test is performed to determine if more bits in the SAR register need to be evaluated. If more bits need to be evaluated, the algorithm proceeds to block 722 where the SAR is stepped to the next bit. At block 724, that bit is cleared and the algorithm proceeds to block 706 to process that bit. Thus, the algorithm sets or clears the bits (B) in the SAR register, which activate or deactivate the switches (S), until the νctrl signal reaches the desired level.
In one embodiment, if the removal of coarse-tuning capacitors CT1a and CT1b (controlled by bit B1) causes νctrl>VREF1, then the associated tuning switch S1 is closed and the next tuning switch S2 is opened by clearing B2, thereby removing CT2a and CT2b from the circuit, which represent approximately one-half of the previous coarse-tuning capacitance of CT1a and CT1b.
If the removal of the capacitors CT1a and CT1b causes νctrl<VREF1, then the associated tuning switch S1 remains opened. If, even after the addition of the capacitors CT1 and CT1b, νctrl<VREF1, then the next tuning switch S2 is opened. If VREF1>νctrl>VREF2, then the coarse tuning capacitor network is properly adjusted and the program is terminated.
The tuning capacitors CT1 and CT2 are binary weighted, with capacitors CT2 slightly more than one-half the value of capacitors CT1. This ensures that the tuning ranges overlap.
FIG. 8 shows a graph that illustrates how the PLL's feedback system responds in one of the three ways to the νctrl signal. First, the resulting VCO frequency may still be too low, causing little effect on the charge pump output and keeping νctrl near ground. Second, the resulting VCO frequency may allow frequency lock, meaning the faster output of the N counter now matches the frequency of the reference signal. As a result, the charge pump output steps to a level midway between the ground and the positive supply (V+). Lastly, the resulting VCO frequency may be too high, causing the charge pump output to jump towards the positive supply. Operation of the VCO depends on the program frequency and the value of the coarse-tuning capacitors.
FIG. 9 shows a detailed diagram of one embodiment of the search network 604 and SAR register 602 shown in FIG. 6 constructed in accordance with the present invention. The search network 604 comprises a window comparator 902 used to monitor the charge pump output voltage (νctrl). Ideally, the (νctrl) signal level is centered midway between ground and V+. Obtaining a centered (νctrl) is one of the goals of the VCO coarse tuning algorithm. The window comparator 902 compares the control voltage νctrl to two reference voltages (VREF1 and VREF2) that correspond to the preferred operating range of the charge pump and varactor diode in the VCO. The two reference voltages are the reference voltages used in the algorithm shown in FIG. 7.
Each time the coarse-tuning capacitors are switched (via the (B) bits) the control signal νctrl changes. The response can be subtle or abrupt. Nonetheless, the outputs of the window comparator 902 cannot be latched by latch circuit 904 until after the control signal νctrl has settled. The settling time for the control signal νctrl can be approximated for a second order system by; 



  t
  =
  
    
      -
      
        1
        
          ζω
          n
        
      
    
    ⁢
    
      ln
      ⁡
      
        (
        
          δ
          ⁢
          
            
              1
              -
              
                ζ
                2
              
            
          
        
        )
      
    
  




where δ is the settling time error and the change in control voltage νctrl is abrupt (i.e. step input).

FIG. 10 shows one embodiment of the search network 604 that operates to ensure settling of the control signal νctrl has occurred. In one embodiment, a counter 1002 is used to delay the output of a latch signal applied to the latch circuit 904 until the PLL's maximum settling time has elapsed. The signal (DIV) is either the output of the N counter or the reference signal input to the phase/frequency detector.
FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the search network 604 that operates to ensure settling of the control signal νcrtl has occurred. In one embodiment, the derivative of the control signal νcrtl is monitored, and this derivative approaches zero as the νcrtl settles towards its final value. This embodiment comprises a differentiating circuit that comprises a differentiator 102, absolute function circuit 1104, and a comparator 1106. The output of the comparator 1106 is used to latch the latch circuit 904.
The successive approximation register (SAR) 602 controls switches S1 and S2 through the bits B1 and B2. This can be expanded to additional bits with associated switches and coarse tuning capacitors. However, the practical limit is about four bits as the effects of the coarse-tuning network on the VCO become increasing more severe.
FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of a circuit for generating the reference voltages VREF1 and VREF2. The reference voltages are formed using a simple resistor divider comprising four resistors (R1-R4).
FIG. 13 shows a communication network 1300 that includes various communication devices that comprise PLL systems with VCOs constructed in accordance with the present invention. The network 1300 includes multiple network servers, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, and an email/pager device all communicating over a wireless data network. Each of the devices includes a PLL system that includes automatic calibration and coarse tuning of a voltage-controlled oscillator in accordance with the present invention. The network 1300 illustrates only some of the devices that may comprise one or more embodiments included in the present invention. However, one or more embodiments included in the present invention are to suitable for use in virtually any type of communication device.
In one or more embodiments, a PLL system that includes automatic calibration and coarse tuning of a voltage-controlled oscillator is provided. Accordingly, while one or more embodiments of a PLL system have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made to the embodiments without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

## Claims

1. Apparatus for automatic tuning of a voltage-controlled oscillator within a phase-locked loop, the apparatus comprising:
a voltage-controlled oscillator that includes switches connecting associated coarse-tuning capacitors to an LC resonant tank of the oscillator; and 
a calibration loop used to appropriately set the switches associated with the coarse tuning capacitors, wherein the calibration loop comprises logic that operates to provide a selected settling time.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the calibration loop comprises a search network coupled to receive a control voltage that controls operation of the oscillator.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the search network comprises a mirror comparator coupled to latch logic, wherein the mirror comparator receives the control voltage.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the logic comprises a counter that outputs a latch signal to the latch logic.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the logic comprises differentiation logic that outputs a latch signal to the latch logic.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the calibration loop further comprises a SAR coupled between the search network and the oscillator.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the SAR comprises one or more bit outputs that are used to set the switches.

8. A method for automatic tuning of a voltage-controlled oscillator within a phase-locked loop, the method comprising steps of:
operating a phase-locked loop that includes a voltage-controlled oscillator with coarse-tuning elements; 
setting switches in a way that successively disconnects the coarse-tuning elements to the voltage-controlled oscillator; 
waiting for a selected settling time; 
monitoring a phase-locked loop control voltage after each successive switch is opened; and 
indicating whether the control voltage is one of above, below, and within a prescribed operating range.

9. A method for automatic calibration of a VCO within a PLL, the method comprising steps of:
operating the PLL and the VCO to produce a VCO control signal, wherein a plurality of coarse-tuning elements are coupled to a tank circuit of the VCO by a plurality of switches; 
setting selected switches so that coarse-tuning elements associated with the selected switches are coupled to the tank circuit; 
waiting for a selected settling time; 
comparing the VCO control signal to one or more reference signals to determine if the VCO control signal is within a desired range; and 
repeating the steps of setting and comparing until the VCO control signal is within the desired range.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of setting comprises a step of setting the selected switches in a specific order so that specific coarse-tuning elements are coupled to the tank circuit.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the coarse tuning elements are capacitive elements.

12. Apparatus for automatic calibration of a VCO in a PLL, wherein the VCO comprises an LC resonant tank circuit, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of coarse-tuning capacitors; 
a plurality of switches operable to selectively connect the plurality of coarse-tuning capacitors to the LC resonant tank circuit based on a VCO control voltage; and 
logic to wait a selected settling time.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:
a search network coupled to receive the control voltage and output a control signal; and 
a SAR coupled to the search network and having logic to receive the control signal, the SAR having one or more output bits that are used to operate the plurality of switches.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the search network comprises:
comparator logic to compare the control voltage to one or more reference signals and produce a comparator output signal; and 
latch logic to latch the comparator output signal in response to a latch signal and output the control signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the search network further comprises a counter coupled to receive a phase signal and output the latch control signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the search network further comprises a differentiating circuit coupled to receive the VCO control signal and output the latch control signal.

17. A communication device that comprises a PLL and associated VCO, wherein the VCO comprises an LC resonant tank circuit and the communication device further comprises apparatus for automatic calibration of the VCO, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of coarse-tuning capacitors; 
a plurality of switches operable to selectively connect the plurality of coarse-tuning capacitors to the LC resonant tank circuit based on a VCO control voltage; and 
logic to wait a selected settling time.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:
a search network coupled to receive the control voltage and output a control signal; and 
a SAR coupled to the search network and having logic to receive the control signal, the SAR having one or more output bits that are used to operate the plurality of switches.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the search network comprises:
comparator logic to compare the control voltage to one or more reference signals and produce a comparator output signal; and 
latch logic to latch the comparator output signal in response to a latch signal and output the control signal.

20. Apparatus for automatic tuning of a voltage-controlled oscillator, the apparatus comprising:
course tuning means coupled to the voltage-controlled oscillator, the course tuning means operates to selectively connect coarse-tuning elements to an LC resonant tank of the voltage-controlled oscillator based on a switch signal; 
calibration loop means that operates to output the switch signal; and 
settling time means that operates to provide a selected settling time for the calibration loop means.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the calibration loop means comprises a search network means that operates to receive a control voltage that controls operation of the voltage-controlled oscillator.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the search network means comprises a mirror comparator means coupled to latch logic, wherein the mirror comparator means receives the control voltage.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the search network means comprises a counter means that outputs a latch signal to the latch logic.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the search network means comprises differentiation means that outputs a latch signal to the latch logic.

25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the calibration loop means further comprises a SAR means coupled between the search network means and the oscillator.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the SAR means comprises one or more bit outputs that are used to adjust the course tuning means.