Current-controlled oscillator controlled by control voltage and stored data

• US 5,142,249 A
• Filed: 10/31/1990
• Issued: 08/25/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Hirotomi, Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): Grimm, Siegfried H.
• Application Number:
  US07/606,540
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 331/57, 331/108 C, 331/108 D, 331/111, 331/177 R, 331/179
• US Class Current: 331/57
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 5/0245 Discontinuous tuning using an electrical variable impedance element, e.g. a voltage variable reactive diode, in which no corresponding analogue value either exists or is preset, i.e. the tuning information is only available in a digital form microprocessor tuning H03J1/0008
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 3/0315 Ring oscillators
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/00 Automatic control of frequency or phase; Synchronisation

Abstract

A current controlled signal processor adjusts the characteristics of an output frequency of a current controlled type oscillation circuit in accordance with stored information. A control current is generated dependent on the stored information. The output frequency of a current controlled oscillator varies dependent on the control current. The stored information may be altered, thereby allowing for the altering of the output frequency of the current controlled oscillator without requiring replacement or addition of electronic elements. Also, the present invention makes it possible to assemble the current controlled signal processor circuits into one integrated chip.

Claims

1. A current controlled signal processor, comprising:

a current controlled oscillator having an output frequency which changes with a control current;

data storage means for storing and holding an electric signal;

external information input means for inputting electric signal information to said data storage means;

first current control means for controlling the current which flows into the current controlled oscillator dependent on an external control voltage and an output signal from the data storage means; and

second current control means for controlling the current which flows through the current controlled oscillator dependent on the output signal from the data storage means.

2. A current controlled signal processor according to claim 1;

wherein said current controlled oscillator, said data storage means, said first current control means, and said second current control means are made of a semiconductor of silicon compounds or the like over a common surface.

3. A current controlled signal processor according to claim 1;

wherein the first current control means comprises a plurality of current limiters for controlling the current of the current controlled oscillator, a voltage-current converter for controlling the current of the plurality of current limiters dependent on the external control voltage, and switching means for switching the output of the voltage-current converter to the plurality of current limiters dependent on the output of the data storage means.

4. A current-controlled signal processor comprising:

a current-controlled oscillator having an output frequency dependent on a control current;

control current generating means for generating the control current dependent on stored data, the control current generating means comprising a first current control means receptive of an external control voltage and the stored data for controlling the control current dependent on the external control voltage and the stored data, and second current control means receptive of the stored data for controlling the control current dependent on the stored data; and

data storing means for storing the stored data.

5. A current-controlled signal processor according to claim 4;

wherein the first current control means comprises a plurality of current limiters for controlling the control current, a voltage-current converter for controlling the current of the plurality of current limiters dependent on the external control voltage, and switching means for switching the output of the voltage-current converter to the plurality of current limiters dependent on the output of the data storage means.

6. A current-controlled signal processor according to claim 4;

further comprising external information inputting means for inputting information data to the storing means.

7. A current-controlled signal processor according to claim 4;

wherein the current-controlled oscillator, the control current generating means and the data storing means are made of semiconductor material on a common surface.