MA-COM AN3004

Application Note
AN3004
Programming Guide, Integer N PLL Synthesizer
100 - 2800 MHz
Rev. V2
Introduction
Programming Overview
M/A-COM’s surface mount frequency synthesizers
integrate a low-noise buffered VCO, phase locked
loop circuit and low-pass loop filter. The VCO output
is coupled into the PLL circuit where the VCO
frequency is divided down in a dual-modulus
prescaler and 18-bit N Counter or feedback divider
(5-bit swallow counter and 13-bit programmable
divider) to the phase comparison frequency or step
size of the PLL. This is usually in the range of 10
kHz to 5 MHz for most applications. The prescaler
modulus is 32/33. The external reference oscillator
is also divided down in the 14-bit programmable R
Counter or reference divider to the same phase
comparison frequency.
The programmable dividers and counters are serially
programmed using a standard 3-wire CMOS or TTL
interface. The programming data is input using the
Clock, Data and Load Enable input pins. The Clock
input latches one bit on the Data input into the PLL
shift register on the rising edge of each clock pulse
(MSB first). When the Load Enable input is HIGH the
stored data is transferred into the latches. The last
two bits are the control bits. The data is transferred
into the counters as shown below.
Control
The divided VCO and divided reference signals are
then fed into the phase comparator, which produces
an error signal whose magnitude is proportional to
the phase difference between the two signals. The
error signal is then passed through a loop filter to
produce the desired performance characteristics and
the result is a voltage, which is applied to the tuning
input of the VCO. The frequency of the VCO is then
steered to the desired frequency, at which point the
phase difference in the phase comparator will be
zero. The phases of the divided VCO and the
divided reference signals are then said to be ‘locked’
to one another, hence the term phase locked loop.
0
0
R Counter
0
1
N Counter
1
0
Function Latch
1
1
Initialization
If the control bits are (C2, C1) = (0, 0), data is
transferred from the 21-bit shift register into a latch
that sets the 14-bit R Counter. Bits R1 – R14 hold
the reference division ratio. Bits R15 – R18 are for
test modes, and should be set to 0 for normal use.
Bit R19 specifies lock detect (LD) precision and is
used in the digital lock detect mode, as described
in the Function Latch section. Serial data format is
shown on the next page, together with the programming table for the R Counter.
14-Bit
R Counter
Phase
Comparator
Clock
Latch Enable
C1
Programming the Reference Word
(R Counter)
Any subsequent phase or frequency perturbation on
the VCO output results in an error signal at the
output of the phase comparator. This error signal in
turn produces a modification of the tuning voltage to
maintain the phase locked condition. A typical
synthesizer block diagram is shown below.
Ref
Osc.
Data location
C2
21-Bit
Shfit Register
Data
18-Bit
Function
Latch
Loop
Filter
Output
VCO
Prescaler
32/33
18-Bit
N Counter
Typical Block Diagram
1
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changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
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Application Note
AN3004
Programming Guide, Integer N PLL Synthesizer
100 - 2800 MHz
Rev. V2
MSB
LSB
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
C
C
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
2
1
14-bit programmable R Counter
Division Ratio (R)
R14
R13
R12
R11
R10
R9
R8
R7
R6
R5
R4
R3
R2
R1
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
16383
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Notes:
Division ratios less than 3 are prohibited.
Division ratios from 3 to 16383 are allowed.
The maximum step size or phase comparison frequency allowable for a given output frequency is
given by:
Example
The reference division ratio for the programmable
R Counter is calculated using:
R = FREF / UF
UF ≤ FMIN / P ( P – 1 )
Where, R = R Counter division ratio, FREF = reference oscillator frequency and UF = phase comparison frequency or step size. Note that the reference frequency used must be an exact multiple of
the required phase comparison frequency.
Where, UF = phase comparison frequency or step
size, FMIN = minimum synthesizer output frequency
and P = prescaler modulus. For example, the maximum step size allowable to programme FMIN =
1810 MHz using the modulus 32 prescaler would
be UF ≤ 1810 MHz / (32 x 31) = ≤ 1.82 MHz.
For example, programme the synthesizer to use a
phase comparison frequency / step size of 50 kHz
using a reference frequency of 10 MHz.
This would require an R Counter division ratio of
R = 10 MHz / 50 kHz = 200 = 11001000 in binary.
Selecting the reference word would require
(C1, C2) = (0, 0).
The complete 21-bit binary reference word to be
programmed would then be as below.
MSB
X
LSB
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
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M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 • Europe Tel: +353.21.244.6400
• India Tel: +91.80.4155721
• China Tel: +86.21.2407.1588
Application Note
AN3004
Programming Guide, Integer N PLL Synthesizer
100 - 2800 MHz
Rev. V2
In order to programme the A and B Counters the
following mathematical relationship is used:
N=(PxB)+A
Programming the Frequency Word
(N Counter)
If the control bits are (C2, C1) = (0, 1), data is
transferred from the 21-bit shift register into a 5-bit
latch which sets the swallow (A) counter and a 13-bit
latch which sets the programmable (B) counter. The
GO bit, N19, sets the charge pump output current. If
N19 = 0, ICP = 250μA If N19 = 1, ICP = 1mA. Please
refer to individual M/A-COM Component Product
Specifications for the charge pump current required
in each case. The serial data format and the programming tables for the N Counter are shown below.
Where, P = modulus of the prescaler (32), B = B
Counter division ratio determined by the integer of
N/P, and A = A Counter division ratio determined by
the remainder of N/P.
For example, programme the synthesizer to an
output frequency of 1810 MHz using a phase comparison frequency or step size of 50 kHz.
Then N Counter division ratio
N = 1810 MHz / 50 kHz = 36200 = ( P x B ) + A.
Example
B Counter division ratio
B = integer of N / P = 36200 / 32 = 1131 =
10001101011 in binary.
The feedback division ratio for the programmable N
Counter is calculated using: N = FOUT / UF
Where, N = N Counter division ratio, FOUT = synthesizer output frequency and UF = phase comparison
frequency or step size. Note that the output frequency must be an exact multiple of the phase
comparison frequency. The step size is usually
determined by system specifications or the required
channel frequency resolution.
A Counter division ratio
A = remainder of N / P = 36200 – ( 32 x 1131 ) = 8 =
1000 in binary.
Selecting the frequency word would require
(C2, C1) = (0, 1).
MSB
LSB
GO
Division Ratio of the B Counter
Division Ratio of the A
Counter
Control
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
C
C
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
2
1
13-bit Programmable B Counter
5-bit Swallow A Counter
Division
N18 N17 N16 N15 N14 N13 N12 N11 N10 N9 N8 N7 N6
Ratio (R)
Division
N5
Ratio (R)
N4 N3
N2
N1
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
3
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
8191
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
8191
1
1
1
1
1
Notes:
B division ratios less than 3 are prohibited.
B division ratios from 3 to 8191 are allowed.
B≥A
Control bits (C2, C1) set to (0, 1) to load A and B Counters.
Data is shifted MSB first.
Notes: A division ratios from 0 to 31
are allowed.
B≥A
3
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M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 • Europe Tel: +353.21.244.6400
• India Tel: +91.80.4155721
• China Tel: +86.21.2407.1588
Application Note
AN3004
Programming Guide, Integer N PLL Synthesizer
100 - 2800 MHz
Rev. V2
For the Initialisation Latch, (C2, C1) = (1, 1). Loading the Function Latch with (C2, C1) = (1, 1) immediately followed by an R Counter load, then an N
Counter load, efficiently programmes the control
register. Setting (C2, C1) = (1, 1) programmes the
same Function Latch as a load with (C2, C1) = (1,
0), and additionally provides an internal reset
pulse. This programme sequence ensures that the
counters are at load point when the N Counter data
is latched in and the part will begin counting in
close phase alignment.
The complete 21-bit binary frequency word to be
programmed would then be as below.
Function and Initialisation Latches
Both the 18-bit Function and Initialisation Latches
write to the same registers. For the Function Latch,
(C2, C1) = (1, 0).
MSB
X
LSB
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
Programming the Function Latch
The serial data format is shown below, together with the programming table for the Function Latch.
LSB
MSB
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
C
C
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
4
3
2
1
2
1
F18
Power
down
mode
F17-15
F14-11
Test
modes
Timeout Timeout
FastLock FastLock CP tricounter counter
control
enable
state
value
enable
F10
F9
F8
F7
F6
F5-3
PD
polarity
Fo/LD
control
Bit function description
F1: The counter reset bit, when activated, allows the
reset of both N and R Counters. In normal operation
this is set to 0.
F2, F18: The powerdown bits provide programmable
powerdown modes. In normal operation these are
both set to 0.
F3-5: These bits control the function of the Fo/LD output of the PLL IC. On M/A-COM synthesizers, bits
(F5, F4, F3) should be set to (0, 0, 1) for digital lock
detect or (1, 0, 1) for analog open-drain lock detect.
In digital mode, the Lock Detect output (pin 9 of the
synthesizer) goes HIGH when the absolute phase
error is <15ns for 3 consecutive phase comparator
cycles if bit R19 is LOW, or 5 consecutive phase comparator cycles if bit R19 is HIGH. If the absolute
phase error >30ns for a single phase comparator cycle, Lock Detect will go LOW.
F2
F1
Power Counter
down
reset
C2
C1
1
0
In analog mode, when the loop is locked, Lock Detect
is HIGH with narrow LOW pulses at the phase comparison frequency. When the loop is out of lock, Lock
Detect alternates between HIGH and LOW, at a rate
dependent on the frequency error. An external filter is
needed, to turn these conditions into stable HIGH or
LOW states. See Application Note AN3003 for notes
on filter design.
F6: The phase detector polarity bit should be set to 1.
F7: The charge pump tri-state bit should be set to 0 for
normal operation.
F8: M/A-COM synthesizers are not designed to use FastLock modes, so F8 should be set to 0.
F9-14: The FastLock and timeout counter control bits
should be set to 0 on M/A-COM synthesizers.
F15-17: These are for test modes, and should be set to 0
for normal operation.
For more detailed information on the operation of the
PLL IC, please refer to the National Semiconductor
LMX2326 data sheet.
4
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and product information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 • Europe Tel: +353.21.244.6400
• India Tel: +91.80.4155721
• China Tel: +86.21.2407.1588
Application Note
AN3004
Programming Guide, Integer N PLL Synthesizer
100 - 2800 MHz
Rev. V2
Serial Data Input Timing Diagram
Data in parenthesis indicates reference word data.
Data shifted into register on rising edge of clock
pulses, MSB first.
Electrical Characteristics
Vcc = 5.0V -40°C <TA < 85°C except as specified.
Symbol
Parameter
Conditions
VIH
High-Level Input Voltage (3.3V logic)
VIL
Low-Level Input Voltage (3.3V logic)
VIH
High-Level Input Voltage (5V logic)
VIL
Low-Level Input Voltage (5V logic)
IIH
High-Level Input current (Clock, Data)
VIH = VCC = 5.5V
IIL
Low-Level Input current (Clock, Data)
IIH
Min
Typ
Max
2.7
Units
V
0.6
4.0
V
V
1.0
V
-1.0
1.0
mA
VIL = 0V VCC = 5.5V
-1.0
1.0
mA
High-Level Input current (LE, FC)
VIH = 3.3V VCC = 5.5V
-1.0
1.0
mA
IIL
Low-Level Input current (LE, FC)
VIL = 0V VCC = 5.5V
-1.0
1.0
mA
tCS
Data to Clock Set Up Time
See Data Input Timing
50
ns
tCH
Data to Clock Hold Time
See Data Input Timing
10
ns
tCWH
Clock Pulse Width High
See Data Input Timing
50
ns
tCWL
Clock Pulse Width Low
See Data Input Timing
50
ns
tES
Clock to Enable Set Up Time
See Data Input Timing
50
ns
tEW
Load Enable Pulse Width
See Data Input Timing
50
ns
5
Visit www.macomtech.com for additional data sheets and product information.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc. and its affiliates reserve the right to make
changes to the product(s) or information contained herein without notice.
• North America Tel: 800.366.2266 • Europe Tel: +353.21.244.6400
• India Tel: +91.80.4155721
• China Tel: +86.21.2407.1588