Method, system and apparatus for accurate and stable LC-based reference oscillators
First Claim
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1. An oscillator system, comprising:
- an LC oscillator tank operable to generate a tank oscillation at a phase substantially equal to a temperature null phase, the temperature null phase being a phase at which variations in frequency of an output oscillation of the oscillator system with temperature changes are minimized;
an amplifier coupled in a feedback loop with the LC oscillator tank; and
frequency stabilizer circuitry coupled to the LC oscillator tank and operable to cause the LC oscillator tank to oscillate at the phase substantially equal to the temperature null phase such that the output oscillation of the oscillator system has a substantially zero open loop phase.
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Abstract
A substantially temperature-independent LC-based oscillator is achieved using an LC tank that generates a tank oscillation at a phase substantially equal to a temperature null phase. The temperature null phase is a phase of the LC tank at which variations in frequency of an output oscillation of the LC-based oscillator with temperature changes are minimized. The LC-based oscillator further includes frequency stabilizer circuitry coupled to the LC tank to cause the LC tank to oscillate at the phase substantially equal to the temperature null phase.
19 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An oscillator system, comprising:
- an LC oscillator tank operable to generate a tank oscillation at a phase substantially equal to a temperature null phase, the temperature null phase being a phase at which variations in frequency of an output oscillation of the oscillator system with temperature changes are minimized;
an amplifier coupled in a feedback loop with the LC oscillator tank; and
frequency stabilizer circuitry coupled to the LC oscillator tank and operable to cause the LC oscillator tank to oscillate at the phase substantially equal to the temperature null phase such that the output oscillation of the oscillator system has a substantially zero open loop phase. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- an LC oscillator tank operable to generate a tank oscillation at a phase substantially equal to a temperature null phase, the temperature null phase being a phase at which variations in frequency of an output oscillation of the oscillator system with temperature changes are minimized;
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20. A method for determining the frequency sensitivity of an oscillator to temperature, comprising:
- applying a temperature excitation signal superimposed on an operating temperature of the oscillator;
demodulating an output of the oscillator to produce a frequency deviation signal indicative of a frequency deviation produced by the oscillator in response to the temperature excitation signal; and
producing an error signal from the frequency deviation signal and the temperature excitation signal proportional to the frequency sensitivity of the oscillator to temperature.
- applying a temperature excitation signal superimposed on an operating temperature of the oscillator;
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21. A method for operating an LC-based oscillator, comprising:
- estimating a temperature null phase of an LC oscillator tank of the LC-based oscillator, the temperature null phase being a phase at which variations in frequency of an output oscillation of the LC-based oscillator with temperature changes are minimized;
providing frequency stabilizer circuitry to cause the LC oscillator tank to oscillate at a phase substantially equal to the temperature null phase; and
operating the LC-based oscillator with the LC tank oscillating at the phase substantially equal to the temperature null phase.
- estimating a temperature null phase of an LC oscillator tank of the LC-based oscillator, the temperature null phase being a phase at which variations in frequency of an output oscillation of the LC-based oscillator with temperature changes are minimized;
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