A new coarse tuning loop for a wide-band dual-loop frequency synthesizer is presented. The coarse tuning structure is composed of two digital modules, including a successive approximation register and a frequency comparator with a novel structure. The frequency comparator counts the prescaler cycles within a certain reference time and compares the number with preset data to estimate the VCO frequency. The frequency comparison error is analyzed in detail. Within a given coarse tuning time,our proposed structure shows a comparison error 20 times smaller than that of other reported structures. This structure also reuses the programmable divider as a part of the coarse tuning loop so that the circuit is greatly simplified.
A novel method to partially compensate sigma-delta shaped noise is proposed. By injecting the compensation current into the passive loop filter during the delay time of the phase frequency detector（PFD）,a maximum reduction of the phase noise by about 16dB can be achieved. Compared to other compensation methods,the technique proposed here is relatively simple and easy to implement. Key building blocks for realizing the noise cancellation,including the delay variable PFD and compensation current source, are specially designed. Both the behavior level and circuit level simulation results are presented.
