Patent ID: 8731502

Claim:
An integrated circuit comprising: frequency generation circuitry for controlling a frequency source for use in an automotive radar system, the frequency generation circuitry comprising: low-path modulation circuitry arranged to generate a first, low-path control signal for providing lower frequency modulation of the frequency source wherein the low-path modulation circuitry comprises a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) arranged to generate the low-path control signal for controlling the frequency source and a fractional-N divider located within a feedback loop of the PLL; a frequency pattern control module operably coupled to the fractional-N divider and arranged to control the fractional-N divider by way of at least a first, lower frequency pattern control signal, wherein the frequency pattern control module comprises ramp generator logic arranged to generate the frequency control signal, wherein the ramp generator logic comprises accumulator logic arranged to increment or decrement the frequency pattern control signal by a ramp slope value each clock cycle; and high-path modulation circuitry arranged to generate a second, high-path control signal for providing higher frequency modulation of the frequency source.