U.S. patent application number 09/729721 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-19 for phase-locked loop circuit and radio communication apparatus using the same.
Invention is credited to Furuya, Tomio, Hildersley, Julian, Kokubo, Masaru, Watanabe, Kazuo, Yamawaki, Taizo.
Application Number | 20010008551 09/729721 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11937784 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010008551 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamawaki, Taizo ; et
al. |
July 19, 2001 |
Phase-locked loop circuit and radio communication apparatus using
the same
Abstract
A communication apparatus includes a phase-locked loop circuit
which receives a first signal having a frequency and converts the
first signal into an output signal having a transmission frequency.
The phase-locked loop circuit includes a current output type phase
comparator which converts a phase difference between the first
signal and a second signal into a current signal, a low pass filter
which filters the current signal of the current output type phase
comparator to produce an output signal, a voltage controlled
oscillator which produces an output signal having a transmission
frequency corresponding to the output signal of the low pass
filter, the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator
constituting the output signal of the phase-locked loop circuit,
and a frequency converter which frequency-converts the output
signal of the voltage controlled oscillator to produce the second
signal.
Inventors: |
Yamawaki, Taizo;
(Kokubunji-shi, JP) ; Kokubo, Masaru; (Hanno-shi,
JP) ; Furuya, Tomio; (Gunma-ken, JP) ;
Watanabe, Kazuo; (Takasaki-shi, JP) ; Hildersley,
Julian; (Royston, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANTONELLI TERRY STOUT AND KRAUS
SUITE 1800
1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
ARLINGTON
VA
22209
|
Family ID: |
11937784 |
Appl. No.: |
09/729721 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09729721 |
Dec 6, 2000 |
|
|
|
09016302 |
Jan 30, 1998 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
375/376 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 1/403 20130101;
H03L 7/183 20130101; H03L 7/10 20130101; H04B 1/408 20130101; H03L
2207/12 20130101; H03L 7/085 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
375/376 |
International
Class: |
H03D 003/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 30, 1997 |
JP |
09-017217 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A radio communication apparatus comprising: an antenna; a
transmitter having an output; a receiver having an input; and a
duplexer which selectively couples either of the input of the
receiver and the output of the transmitter to the antenna; wherein
the transmitter includes: a phase-locked loop circuit which
receives a first signal having a frequency and converts the first
signal into an output signal having a transmission frequency; and
an output amplifier which amplifies the output signal of the
phase-locked loop circuit to produce an output signal of the
transmitter and supplies the output signal of the transmitter to
the output of the transmitter; and wherein the phase-locked loop
circuit includes: a current output type phase comparator which
converts a phase difference between the first signal and a second
signal into a current signal; a low pass filter which filters the
current signal of the current output type phase comparator to
produce an output signal; a voltage controlled oscillator which
produces an output signal having a transmission frequency
corresponding to the output signal of the low pass filter, the
output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator constituting the
output signal of the phase-locked loop circuit; and a frequency
converter which frequency-converts the output signal of the voltage
controlled oscillator to produce the second signal.
2. A radio transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
phase-locked loop circuit further includes: a current source which
supplies a current to an input of the low pass filter; and a reset
switch which applies to the voltage controlled oscillator a reset
voltage to cancel a phase-locked state of the phase-locked loop
circuit.
3. A radio communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the phase-locked loop circuit further includes: a first limiter
which limits an amplitude of an input signal of the phase-locked
loop circuit to a fixed amplitude to produce the first signal; and
a second limiter which limits an amplitude of an output signal of
the frequency converter to a fixed amplitude to produce the second
signal.
4. A radio communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
the phase-locked loop circuit further includes a current source
which supplies a current to an input of the low pass filter.
5. A radio communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein
the phase-locked loop circuit further includes: a second low pass
filter which filters the input signal of the phase-locked loop
circuit to produce an output signal and supplies the output signal
to the first limiter; a third low pass filter which filters an
output signal of the first limiter to produce the first signal and
supplies the first signal to the current output type phase
comparator; a fourth low pass filter which filters the output
signal of the frequency converter to produce an output signal and
supplies the output signal to the second limiter; and a fifth low
pass filter which filters an output signal of the second limiter to
produce the second signal and supplies the second signal to the
current output type phase comparator.
6. A radio communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
the phase-locked loop circuit further includes: a second low pass
filter which filters the input signal of the phase-locked loop
circuit to produce an output signal and supplies the output signal
to the first limiter; a third low pass filter which filters an
output signal of the first limiter to produce the first signal and
supplies the first signal to the current output type phase
comparator; a fourth low pass filter which filters the output
signal of the frequency converter to produce an output signal and
supplies the output signal to the second limiter; and a fifth low
pass filter which filters an output signal of the second limiter to
produce the second signal and supplies the second signal to the
current output type phase comparator.
7. A radio communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the phase-locked loop circuit further includes a current source
which supplies a current to an input of the low pass filter; and
wherein the current output type phase comparator includes: a
Gilbert multiplier which produces a first differential output
current and a second differential output current based on the phase
difference between the first signal and the second signal; a first
current mirror circuit which receives the first differential output
current of the Gilbert multiplier and produces an output current; a
second current mirror circuit which receives the second
differential output current of the Gilbert multiplier and produces
an output current; and a third current mirror circuit which
receives the output current of the second current mirror circuit
and produces an output current; wherein the current signal of the
current output type phase comparator is a sum of the output current
of the first current mirror circuit and the output current of the
third current mirror circuit.
8. A radio transmission apparatus comprising: an antenna; and a
transmitter having an output coupled to the antenna; wherein the
transmitter includes: a phase-locked loop circuit which receives a
first signal having a frequency and converts the first signal into
an output signal having a transmission frequency; and an output
amplifier which amplifies the output signal of the phase-locked
loop circuit to produce an output signal of the transmitter and
supplies the output signal of the transmitter to the output of the
transmitter; and wherein the phase-locked loop circuit includes: a
current output type phase comparator which converts a phase
difference between the first signal and a second signal into a
current signal; a low pass filter which filters the current signal
of the current output type phase comparator to produce an output
signal; a voltage controlled oscillator which produces an output
signal having a transmission frequency corresponding to the output
signal of the low pass filter, the output signal of the voltage
controlled oscillator constituting the output signal of the
phase-locked loop circuit; and a frequency converter which
frequency-converts the output signal of the voltage controlled
oscillator to produce the second signal.
9. A radio transmission apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
phase-locked loop circuit further includes: a current source which
supplies a current to an input of the low pass filter; and a reset
switch which applies to the voltage controlled oscillator a reset
voltage to cancel a phase-locked state of the phase-locked loop
circuit.
10. A radio transmission apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
the phase-locked loop circuit further includes: a first limiter
which limits an amplitude of an input signal of the phase-locked
loop circuit to a fixed amplitude to produce the first signal; and
a second limiter which limits an amplitude of an output signal of
the frequency converter to a fixed amplitude to produce the second
signal.
11. A radio transmission apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
the phase-locked loop circuit further includes a current source
which supplies a current to an input of the low pass filter.
12. A radio transmission apparatus according to claim 11, wherein
the phase-locked loop circuit further includes: a second low pass
filter which filters the input signal of the phase-locked loop
circuit to produce an output signal and supplies the output signal
to the first limiter; a third low pass filter which filters an
output signal of the first limiter to produce the first signal and
supplies the first signal to the current output type phase
comparator; a fourth low pass filter which filters the output
signal of the frequency converter to produce an output signal and
supplies the output signal to the second limiter; and a fifth low
pass filter which filters an output signal of the second limiter to
produce the second signal and supplies the second signal to the
current output type phase comparator.
13. A radio transmission apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
the phase-locked loop circuit further includes: a second low pass
filter which filters the input signal of the phase-locked loop
circuit to produce an output signal and supplies the output signal
to the first limiter; a third low pass filter which filters an
output signal of the first limiter to produce the first signal and
supplies the first signal to the current output type phase
comparator; a fourth low pass filter which filters the output
signal of the frequency converter to produce an output signal and
supplies the output signal to the second limiter; and a fifth low
pass filter which filters an output signal of the second limiter to
produce the second signal and supplies the second signal to the
current output type phase comparator.
14. A radio transmission apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
the phase-locked loop circuit further includes a current source
which supplies a current to an input of the low pass filter; and
wherein the current output type phase comparator includes: a
Gilbert multiplier which produces a first differential output
current and a second differential output current based on the phase
difference between the first signal and the second signal; a first
current mirror circuit which receives the first differential output
current of the Gilbert multiplier and produces an output current; a
second current mirror circuit which receives the second
differential output current of the Gilbert multiplier and produces
an output current; and a third current mirror circuit which
receives the output current of the second current mirror circuit
and produces an output current; wherein the current signal of the
current output type phase comparator is a sum of the output current
of the first current mirror circuit and the output current of the
third current mirror circuit.
15. A communication apparatus comprising a phase-locked loop
circuit; wherein the phase-locked loop circuit includes a current
output type phase comparator.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a phase-locked loop
(hereinafter referred to PLL) for a transmission system included in
a portable terminal for converting an intermediate frequency (IF)
signal into a radio frequency (RF) signal mainly in the mobile
communication and the portable terminal for the radio communication
using the PLL.
[0002] A PLL system using a local signal frequency f.sub.LO to
convert an input signal frequency f.sub.IN into an output signal
frequency f.sub.LO-f.sub.IN is described in Chapter 10.3 of
"PHASELOCK TECHNIQUES" (ISBNO-471-04294-3) issued by John Wiley
& Sons and is shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, a phase comparator
18 compares a phase of an input signal frequency f.sub.IF with a
phase of a reference signal frequency f.sub.REF and produces a
signal proportional to a phase difference between the two input
signals. The output signal of the phase comparator (PD) 18 is
supplied to a low pass filter (LPF) 19 in which unnecessary
harmonic components and noise are removed from the output signal
and an output signal of the low pass filter is supplied to a VCO
20. An output frequency f.sub.RF of the VCO 20 is supplied through
a coupler 21 to a mixer 22 to be mixed with a local signal
frequency f.sub.LO. An output frequency f.sub.REF of the mixer 22
is given by f.sub.REF=f.sub.LO-f.sub.- RF. Since the output
frequency f.sub.REF of the mixer 22 is equal to the frequency
f.sub.IF when the PLL is in the lock state, the input signal
frequency f.sub.IF is converted into the output frequency
f.sub.RF=f.sub.LO -f.sub.IF of the VCO.
[0003] As other examples of the PLL system for the frequency
conversion, British Patent No. GB2261345 and U.S. Pat. No.
5,313,173 may be referred to. These references also use the same
method as the fundamental principle of the PLL circuit.
[0004] In the above-described circuit, the output signal of the
phase comparator is directly supplied to the low pass filter.
Accordingly, in order to obtain a shorter settling time, it is
necessary to broaden the frequency band of the PLL. On the other
hand, however, when the frequency band is broadened, there is a
problem that output noise is increased. Further, the circuit
described in Chapter 10.3 of "PHASELOCK TECHNIQUES"
(ISBNO-471-04294-3) issued by John Wiley & Sons is not
considered to be used in a portable terminal.
[0005] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a circuit configuration
for shortening the settling time when a voltage output type phase
comparator is used. The PLL circuit includes the voltage output
type phase comparator 23, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) 24,
a coupler 25, a mixer 26, a reset switch 27, a power supply 28 for
use in shortening of a settling time and a low pass filter 29.
Usually, in the PLL circuit, the low pass filter, the VCO and the
coupler are mounted on the PLL circuit externally. In this example,
since the reset switch 27 and the power supply 28 are connected to
the low pass filter 29, the reset switch 27 and the power supply 28
are also mounted on the PLL circuit externally.
[0006] While the PLL operation is performed, the reset switch 27 is
open (off state). When the PLL circuit is in the phase-locked
state, the VCO 24 produces an output signal having a fixed
frequency as a center frequency. A small radio communication
apparatus such as a portable telephone mostly performs transmission
in the time division manner. In this operation, a transmission
period in which the PLL circuit is locked to perform transmission
with the fixed center frequency and a transmission stop period in
which the PLL operation is canceled after the transmission period
are performed repeatedly. Further, there is a communication system
in which the transmission frequency is changed at a certain period.
In such a case, the PLL is locked in the same or different
frequency after a predetermined period from cancellation of the
locked state. For this end, a voltage for resetting the PLL
operation is supplied to the VCO. The reset switch 27 is provided
in order to apply the reset voltage. When the reset switch 27 is
closed (on state), an input potential of the VCO 24 becomes 0 volt
and the output frequency becomes a minimum oscillation
frequency.
[0007] The voltage output type phase comparator 23 requires an
operational amplifier 272 for converting a voltage output into a
current output in order to supply a current to a low pass filter
271. The operational amplifier is necessarily required to adjust
its operation characteristic and accordingly it is difficult to
fabricate the operational amplifier into an IC chip. The negative
DC voltage power supply 28 applies a negative bias voltage to an
inverted input of the operational amplifier 272 to thereby shorten
the settling time of the PLL. Since it is difficult to generate
this negative voltage within the IC chip, the circuit of the
negative voltage power supply 28 must be disposed outside of the IC
chip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit according to the present
invention employs a phase comparator of current output type. By
using the current output type phase comparator in the PLL circuit,
it is not required to use an operational amplifier in a low pass
filter (LPF). The PLL circuit including the current output type
phase comparator, the LPF and a reset switch can be fabricated
within an IC chip. Further, when a current source for supplying a
current to the LPF is used together with the current output type
phase comparator, a time from the start of control of the PLL to
the locked state, that is, the settling time can be shortened. The
PLL circuit according to the present invention realizes the
compatibility of the short settling time or increased settling
speed and low output noise without broadening of the band of the
PLL.
[0009] Furthermore, the radio communication apparatus according to
the present invention includes a transmission unit having the PLL
circuit using the current output type phase comparator.
[0010] In the PLL circuit of the present invention, since an
operational amplifier is not required in the LPF and the reset
switch is fabricated in an IC chip, reliability and productivity of
the PLL can be improved and the radio communication apparatus can
be made small.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
PLL circuit according to the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a definite embodiment of a low pass
filter used in the PLL circuit of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a definite example of a closed
loop transfer function in the embodiment of the PLL circuit of the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of
a PLL circuit according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of
a PLL circuit according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating still another
embodiment of a PLL circuit according to the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating still another
embodiment of a PLL circuit according to present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating a definite
embodiment of a current output type phase comparator used in the
PLL circuit according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram illustrating a definite
embodiment of a reset switch used in the PLL circuit of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a general
configuration of a PLL circuit;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a PLL circuit using
a voltage output type phase comparator;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
radio communication terminal apparatus using the PLL circuit of the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a PLL circuit of
still another embodiment according to the present invention;
and
[0024] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a PLL circuit of
still another embodiment according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] A PLL circuit according to an embodiment of the present
invention can be used in a transmitter of a radio communication
terminal apparatus such as a portable telephone. FIG. 12 is a block
diagram illustrating an example of a radio communication terminal
apparatus including the PLL circuit according to the embodiment of
the present invention. The communication terminal apparatus can use
in various communication systems such as GSM (Global System for
Mobile Communications), PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), PCN
(Personal Communication Network) and PHS (Personal Handyphone
System).
[0026] A voice produced by a user is converted into an electric
audio signal "Audio in" by means of a microphone (not shown) and is
inputted to an input terminal of a transmitter 40.
[0027] The audio signal "Audio in" is converted by a digital signal
processing processor 30 into I- and Q-channel signals having phases
shifted from each other by 90 degrees. The I- and Q-channel signals
are then modulated in a modulation mixer 31 and are converted into
an IF band frequency. A local oscillation signal is generated by a
local signal generator 33 and is phase-shifted by 90 degrees by a
90-degree distributor 32 to be supplied to the modulation mixer 31.
Thereafter, the signal produced by the mixer 31 is converted by a
PLL circuit 34 of the present invention into a frequency of a
transmission frequency band. A local oscillation signal supplied to
the PLL circuit 34 is generated by a local signal generator 35. An
output signal of the PLL circuit 34 is amplified by an output
amplifier 36 and then transmitted from an antenna 38 through a
switch 37, which is connected to the antenna 38, the transmitter
including the processor 30, the mixer 31, the distributor 32, the
local signal oscillator 33, the PLL 34, the local signal oscillator
35 and the amplifier 36 and a receiver 39.
[0028] The circuit portion including the mixer 31, the 90-degree
distributor 32, the PLL 34 and a part of the receiver 39 in an area
surrounded by broken line of FIG. 12 can be fabricated in a single
IC chip.
[0029] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 9, the structure and operation
of the PLL circuit according to the embodiment of the present
invention are described.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a basic configuration of a PLL circuit
according to the embodiment of the present invention. The PLL
circuit includes a current output type phase comparator 1, a
constant current source 2, a reset switch 3, a low pass filter 4, a
VCO 5, a coupler 6 and a mixer 7. The constant current source 2
supplies a constant current (shown by arrow b) from the ground
toward an input terminal of the low pass filter 4. The reset switch
3 is connected between the input terminal of the low pass filter 4
and the ground. The reset switch 3 is open during operation of the
PLL circuit.
[0031] The current output type phase comparator 1 compares a phase
of an input signal frequency f.sub.IF with a phase of a reference
signal frequency f.sub.REF and produces a current proportional to a
phase difference thereof. When the PLL circuit is operated, the
reset switch 3 is open. In order to shorten the settling time of
the PLL, the output current (shown by arrow a) of the phase
comparator 1 is added to the constant current (shown by arrow b)
produced from the constant current source 2 in an adder 43 and a
sum current thereof is supplied to the low pass filter 4.
Incidentally, the adder 43 is merely signal lines combined with
each other. When the current output type phase comparator 1 is
operated by itself and the phase difference of the two input
signals f.sub.IF and f.sub.REF is varied, the condition for causing
the PLL to perform the stable settling operation is obtained
experimentally and is given by the following equation (1): 1 0.5 (
I MAX - I MIN ) + I OFF I MAX 0.6 ( 1 )
[0032] where the maximum value and the minimum value of the DC
component of the output current are I.sub.MAX and I.sub.MIN,
respectively, and the output current of the constant current source
2 is I.sub.OFF.
[0033] The low pass filter 4 removes unnecessary harmonic
components and noise from the sum current of the outputs of the
current output type phase comparator 1 and the constant current
source 2 and converts the sum current into a voltage signal to be
supplied to the VCO 5. The output frequency f.sub.RF of the VCO 5
is inputted through the coupler 6 to the mixer 7 to be mixed with
the local oscillation signal frequency f.sub.LO. The output
frequency f.sub.REF of the mixer 7 is given by
f.sub.REF=f.sub.LO-f.sub.RF. When the PLL is in the locked state,
the output frequency f.sub.REF of the mixer 7 is equal to f.sub.IF.
Accordingly, the input signal frequency f.sub.IF is converted into
f.sub.RF=f.sub.LO-f.sub.IF.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a definite circuit of an embodiment of
the low pass filter 4. Electric charges are stored in the low pass
filter 4 by a DC component of the output current of the current
output type phase comparator 1. A charged voltage is supplied to
the VCO 5 as the output voltage of the low pass filter 4. At the
same time, electric charges are also stored in capacitors C.sub.1
and C.sub.2 of the low pass filter 4 by the constant current
produced from the constant current source 2 and accordingly the
speed of storing the electric charges is increased as compared with
the case where the constant current source 2 is not provided.
Consequently, the settling time of the PLL is shortened.
[0035] The current supplied from constant current source 2 to the
low pass filter 4 may be controlled to be a predetermined constant
current from the beginning or a considerable large current
temporarily at the beginning and a slightly small constant current
thereafter. In the latter case, the speed of storing the electric
charges can be increased as compared with the former case.
[0036] The transfer function F(s) of the low pass filter 4 is given
by the following equation (2): 2 F ( s ) = s + 1 C 2 R 1 C 1 s ( S
+ C 1 + C 2 C 1 C 2 R 1 ) ( 2 )
[0037] Operation of the PLL circuit is analyzed when the filter
circuit shown in FIG. 2 is used as the low pass filter 4 of FIG. 1.
When the phase difference conversion gain of the current output
type phase comparator 1 is K.sub.d [A/rad] and the sensitivity of
the VCO 5 is K.sub.v [rad/s/V], the open loop transfer function
Ho(s) of the PLL is given by the following equation (3): 3 Ho = K d
F ( s ) K v s = K d K v ( s + 1 C 2 R 1 ) C 1 s 2 ( s + C 1 + C 2 C
1 C 2 R 1 ) ( 3 )
[0038] At this time, a pole .omega..sub.z [rad/s] and a zero
.omega..sub.P [rad/s] of the PLL are given by the following
equations (4) and (5), respectively: 4 z = 1 C 2 R 1 ( 4 ) p = C 1
+ C 2 C 1 C 2 R 1 ( 5 )
[0039] FIG. 3 shows an example of a frequency characteristic of a
closed loop transfer function Hc(s) of the PLL. As shown in FIG. 3,
the loop shows the characteristic of the low pass filter.
Accordingly, the frequency modulation and the phase modulation
within the loop band can be reproduced at the output of the VCO and
unnecessary signals beyond the band can be suppressed. However,
when the loop band is made too narrow, the modulation accuracy at
the output of the PLL is deteriorated and when the loop band is
made too broad, it is insufficient to suppress noise beyond the
band. In order to satisfy the standard such as GSM, it is necessary
to select the loop band from the range of 1 MHz to 3 MHz.
[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates a PLL circuit according to another
embodiment of the present invention. The PLL circuit includes a
current output type phase comparator 1, a constant current source
2, a reset switch 3, a low pass filter 4, a VCO 5, a coupler 6, a
mixer 7 and a power supply 8. The constant current source 2
produces a constant current (shown by arrow b) flowing from an
input terminal of the low pass filter 4 to the ground. The reset
switch 3 is connected between the input terminal of the low pass
filter 4 and the power supply 8.
[0041] The current output type phase comparator 1 compares a phase
of an input signal frequency f.sub.IF with a phase of a reference
signal frequency f.sub.REF and produces a current proportional to a
phase difference thereof. When the PLL circuit is operated, the
reset switch 3 is open. In order to shorten the settling time of
the PLL circuit, the constant current (arrow b) produced from the
constant current source 2 is added to an output current (arrow a)
of the current output type phase comparator 1 and a sum current
thereof is supplied to the low pass filter 4.
[0042] Operation of the PLL circuit of FIG. 4 in which the low pass
filter 4 shown in FIG. 2 is used is now described. When the reset
switch 3 is closed to perform the reset operation, the capacitors
C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 of the low pass filter 4 are charged by a
positive voltage of the power supply 8. The voltage of the power
supply 8 is set to a value higher than an input voltage of the VCO
5 at the time when the PLL circuit has completed the settling
operation (upon the locked state). When the reset switch 3 is
opened and the PLL operation is started, the electric charges
stored in the capacitors C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 are discharged toward
the constant current source 2 and the phase comparator 1. The
constant current source 2 facilitates the discharge of positive
electric charges from the capacitors C.sub.1 and C.sub.2.
Consequently, the settling time of the PLL circuit is
shortened.
[0043] When the current output type phase comparator 1 is operated
by itself and the phase difference of the two input signals is
varied, the condition for causing the PLL to perform the stable
settling operation is obtained experimentally and is given by the
following equation (6): 5 0.5 ( I MIN - I MAX ) + I OFF I MIN 0.6 (
6 )
[0044] where the maximum value and the minimum value of the DC
component of the output current are I.sub.MAX and I.sub.MIN,
respectively, and the output current of the constant current source
2 flowing from the input terminal of the low pass filter 4 to the
ground is I.sub.OFF.
[0045] The low pass filter 4 removes unnecessary harmonic
components and noise from the sum current of the outputs of the
current output type phase comparator 1 and the constant current
source 2 and converts the sum current into a voltage signal to be
supplied to the VCO 5. The output frequency f.sub.RF of the VCO 5
is inputted through the coupler 6 to the mixer 7 to be mixed with
the local oscillation signal frequency f.sub.LO. The output
frequency f.sub.REF of the mixer 7 is given by
f.sub.REF=f.sub.LO-f.sub.RF. When the PLL is in the locked state,
the output frequency f.sub.REF of the mixer 7 is equal to f.sub.IF.
Accordingly, the input signal frequency f.sub.IF is converted into
f.sub.RF=f.sub.LO-f.sub.IF.
[0046] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention. The PLL circuit of FIG. 5 is characterized in that
limiters 9 and 10 are connected to the input portions of the
current output type phase comparator 1 in the same configuration of
the PLL circuit of FIG. 1. When a mixer type circuit using bipolar
transistors is employed in the current output type phase comparator
1 and an amplitude of an input signal is smaller than kT/q where q
is an amount of electric charges of electrons, k is a Boltzmann's
constant, and T is an absolute temperature, the phase difference
conversion gain of the current output type phase comparator 1 has
the dependency on the input amplitude. The limiters 9 and 10
amplify the input signals to the current output type phase
comparator 1 to increase the amplitude of the input signal f.sub.RF
to a constant amplitude larger than kT/q, so that the phase
difference conversion gain of the phase comparator 1 can be made
constant.
[0047] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention. The PLL circuit of FIG. 6 is characterized in that low
pass filters 11, 12, 13 and 14 are connected in the same
configuration as the PLL circuit of FIG. 5. The low pass filters 13
and 14 are used to prevent unnecessary harmonics from being
inputted to the limiters 9 and 10. Since the limiters 9 and 10
produce the signals having the constant amplitude, the output
signals of the limiters 9 and 10 contain unnecessary harmonic
components. Accordingly, the low pass filters 11 and 12 removes the
unnecessary harmonic components.
[0048] FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a PLL circuit
according to the present invention. The PLL circuit of FIG. 7 is
characterized in that an amplifier 15 is connected between the
coupler 6 and the mixer 7 in the same configuration as the PLL
circuit of FIG. 1. By connecting the amplifier 15, the PLL circuit
can be operated even when the output of the VCO has a small
amplitude.
[0049] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of the current output type
phase comparator 1. Transistors may be of bipolar type. VDD is a
power supply voltage. Numeral 16 denotes a so-called Gilbert
multiplier. Detail thereof is described in Chapter 10.3 of "DESIGN
TECHNIQUE OF ANALOG INTEGRATED CIRCUIT FOR SUPER LSI (Last Volume)"
issued by Baifukan. The Gilbert multiplier 16 mixes input signals
V.sub.IF.sup.+ and V.sub.IF.sup.-and reference signals
V.sub.REF.sup.+and V.sub.REF.sup.-to produce differential currents
I.sub.4 and I.sub.5 having phases opposite to each other. Bases of
transistors Q2 and Q3 are applied with the signal V.sub.REF.sup.-
having the phase opposite to that of the signal applied to bases of
transistors Q1 and Q4. Similarly, a base of transistor Q6 is
applied with the signal V.sub.IF.sup.- having the phase opposite to
that of the signal applied to a base of a transistors Q5. When
amplitudes of the input signals V.sub.IF.sup.+ and
V.sub.IF.sup.-and the reference signals V.sub.REF.sup.+ and
V.sub.REF.sup.-are larger than kT/q and a collector current of a
transistor Q11 is I.sub.6, the relation of a phase difference .phi.
of the input signals V.sub.IF.sup.+ and V.sub.IF.sup.- and the
reference signals V.sub.REF.sup.+ and V.sub.REF.sup.- and a
differential current I.sub.4-I.sub.5 produced by the Gilbert
multiplier 16 is given by the following equation (7): 6 I 4 - I 5 =
I 6 ( 2 - 1 ) ( 7 )
[0050] Transistors Q11, Q12 and Q13, resistors R6 and R7 and a
constant current source I.sub.REF constitute a bias circuit of the
Gilbert multiplier 16 using the current mirror circuit. The
transistor Q11 constitutes a current source for the transistors Q5
and Q6 connected to the collector of the transistor Q11.
[0051] Numeral 17 denotes a charge pump circuit which converts the
output differential currents I.sub.4 and I.sub.5 of the Gilbert
multiplier 16 into a single-ended output signal to produce it as a
current I.sub.out. Transistors Q7 and Q8 and resistors R1 and R3
constitute a current mirror circuit. When a current mirror ratio
determined by characteristics of the resistors R1 and R3 and the
transistors Q7 and Q8 is a, the relation of
I.sub.3=a.multidot.I.sub.4 is obtained. Similarly, transistors Q9
and Q10 and resistors R2 and R4 constitute a current mirror
circuit. When a current mirror ratio thereof is b, the relation of
I.sub.1=b.multidot.I.sub.5 is obtained. Further, transistors Q14,
Q15 and Q16 and resistors R8 and R9 also constitute a current
mirror circuit. When a current mirror ratio thereof is c, the
relation of I.sub.2=c.multidot.I.sub.3 is obtained. The currents
I.sub.1 and I.sub.2 are used to obtain
I.sub.OUT=I.sub.1-I.sub.2.
[0052] FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the reset switch. That
is, the reset switch corresponds to the reset switch 3 of FIG. 1.
Transistors of bipolar type are used.
[0053] VDD is a power supply voltage. A constant current source
I.sub.E is a bias circuit for the reset switch 3 and supplies a
bias current to transistors Q17 and Q18. Transistors Q19 and Q20
and resistors R11 and R12 constitute a current mirror circuit and
when a current mirror ratio thereof is d, the relation of
I.sub.8=d.multidot.I.sub.7 is obtained. When a voltage applied to
an input terminal IN for control of the time division operation is
larger than the reference voltage V.sub.REF, a transistor Q18 is
turned off, so that currents I.sub.7 and I.sub.8 scarcely flow and
transistors Q19 and Q20 are also turned off. When a base current of
the transistor Q21 is neglected since the base current is small, a
base voltage of a transistor Q21 is given by R10.multidot.I.sub.8,
while since the current I.sub.8 scarcely flows, the transistor Q21
is turned off, so that a collector current of the transistor Q21
hardly flows. Accordingly, the reset switch 3 becomes the off
(open) state. When the voltage applied to the input terminal is
smaller than the reference voltage V.sub.REF, the transistor Q18 is
turned on and the current I.sub.8 is
I.sub.8=d.multidot.I.sub.7.about.d.m- ultidot.I.sub.E. Accordingly,
the base voltage of the transistor Q21 is substantially equal to
R10.multidot.d.multidot.I.sub.E. When the current I.sub.E is set so
that the transistor Q21 is turned on when the base voltage is equal
to R10.multidot.d.multidot.I.sub.E, the transistor Q21 is turned
on, so that a terminal OUT is connected to the ground and the reset
switch 3 becomes the on (close) state.
[0054] The circuits shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 employ bipolar
transistors, while transistors of other kinds such as, for example,
MOSFET and MESFET may be used to realize the same function.
[0055] FIG. 13 illustrates a PLL circuit according to another
embodiment of the present invention. The PLL circuit of FIG. 13 is
characterized in that a frequency divider 41 is connected between
the current output type phase comparator 1 and the coupler 6
instead of the mixer 7 in the same configuration as the PLL circuit
of FIG. 1. A frequency division ratio of the frequency divider 41
is given by f.sub.RF/f.sub.IF.
[0056] FIG. 14 illustrates a PLL circuit according to still another
embodiment of the present invention. The PLL circuit includes a
current output type phase frequency comparator 42, a low pass
filter 4, a VCO 5, a coupler 6 and a mixer 26. When the phase
difference between the input signal f.sub.IF and the reference
signal frequency f.sub.REF is small, the current output type phase
frequency comparator 42 compares a phase of the input signal
f.sub.IF with a phase of the reference signal frequency f.sub.REF
and produces an error output current. When the phase difference
between the input signal f.sub.IF and the reference signal
frequency f.sub.REF is not small, the current output type phase
frequency comparator 42 compares a frequency of the input signal
f.sub.IF with a frequency of the reference signal frequency
f.sub.REF and produces an error output current. The low pass filter
4 removes unnecessary harmonic components and noise from the output
current of the comparator 42 and converts the output current into a
voltage to be supplied to the VCO 5. An output frequency f.sub.RF
of the VCO 5 is inputted to the mixer 26 through the coupler 6 and
is mixed with the local oscillation signal frequency f.sub.LO in
the mixer 26. An output frequency f.sub.REF of the mixer 26 is
equal to f.sub.IF when the PLL circuit is in the locked state.
Accordingly, the input signal frequency f.sub.IF is converted into
f.sub.RF=f.sub.LO-f.sub.IF.
[0057] The phase comparator is named a phase frequency comparator
(PFC). Since the PLL circuit is necessarily locked without the
provision of a switch when the PFC is used, the reset switch is not
required. However, since the output voltage of the phase comparator
is not once reduced to 0 volt by means of the reset switch, the PLL
circuit may be operated even if the constant current source for
increasing the settling speed is provided, while the settling time
is not necessarily shortened.
[0058] As described above, according to the present invention,
since the phase comparator produces the current output and the
constant current is further added to the current output, the
setting time can be shortened without widening of the band for the
PLL circuit. Furthermore, since the settling time shortening
circuit and the reset switch are connected to the phase comparator,
the circuit configuration suitable for the integrated circuit can
be realized.
* * * * *