Patent ID: 11296860

Abstract:
Embodiments of the present invention synchronize multiple synthesizers, such as phase-locked loops (PLLs), in a manner that does not require communication or coordination between the synthesizers. Specifically, each synthesizer is part of a synthesizer circuit that includes a synthesizer (e.g., a PLL), a phase measurement circuit, and a synchronization circuit. A common reference signal (e.g., an alternating clock signal) is provided to the synthesizer circuits. In one exemplary embodiment, in each synthesizer circuit, the phase measurement circuit measures a phase difference between the reference signal and a corresponding output of the synthesizer, and the synchronization circuit adjusts the synthesizer operation based on the measured phase difference in such a way that all of the synthesizers operate in-phase with one another relative to the common reference signal, without having any communication or coordination between the two synthesizer circuits other than provision of the common reference signal.