BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to phase locked loop circuitry. More particularly, the present invention relates to phase quantizer apparatus for providing a numeric value of the phase of a digital signal at discrete points in time using a modulo m and a modulo n counter.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Various configurations of circuitry have previously been used in phase locked loop circuitry to provide the value of the phase of the input signal relative to the output signal. Much of the prior art circuitry includes various converters together with a rather large amount of circuitry which causes the prior art circuitry to be more costly and complicated than the present invention. Many of the prior art implementations are not sufficiently reliable and are not sufficiently repeatable regarding their operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides phase quantizer apparatus in an all digital phase locked loop to provide a two-part digital number representing the phase of the input signal (a noncontinuous pulse train) relative to the output signal of the all digital phase locked loop. The phase quantizer comprises a write counter (modulo m counter) and a phase counter (modulo n counter) which receive the noncontinuous pulse train as an input signal. The leading pulse edge in the noncontinuous pulse train increments the write counter and resets the phase counter. The write counter comprises a binary counter and a conversion circuit. The binary counter portion of the write counter was being used and is still being used in the digital communications system to provide address information to the elastic buffer to read data into predetermined storage locations in the elastic buffer. In addition, in the phase quantizer, the output of the binary counter, in the form of a digital code, is provided to the conversion circuit which converts the digital code to a two's complement code or notation which is input to a phase sampler circuit. The phase counter comprises a counter and a divider circuit. The divider circuit receives an input signal from a high speed reference clock and divides the high speed reference clock signal to provide a clock signal to the counter of the correct frequency such that the counter will count a predetermined number of cycles between the receipt of consecutive pulses of the noncontinuous pulse train. The output of the phase counter is input to the phase sampler circuit. The outputs of the write counter and the phase counter are combined to provide the two-part digital number representing the phase difference.

Among the advantages offered by the present invention is the elimination of the need to add an additional counter to obtain the phase difference information by using a counter which is already being used in the system. Two counters are necessary since the noncontinuous pulse train input signal increments the count in one counter while the input signal resets the second counter. The cost and complexity are reduced while the reliability is increased.

Examples of the more important features and advantages of the present invention have thus been summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment thereof in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a digital phase locked loop according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are simplified diagrams of the outputs of a write counter and a phase counter used to determine the sampled phase differences (φ_in -φ_ref) in the digital phase locked loop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of a write counter used in the digital phase locked loop of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a phase counter used in the digital phase locked loop of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of a phase sampler used in the digital phase locked loop of FIG. 1 which provides a phase frequency characteristic to the phase sampler; and

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of an offset digitally controlled oscillator used in the digital phase locked loop of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views, the linear all-digital phase locked loop is referred to generally by reference numeral 10. With reference to FIG. 1, the digital phase locked loop 10 comprises input synchronizer 12 which receives a first input on lead 14 and a second input on lead 16. The first input comprises a clock signal φ_in consisting of a digital stream of pulses at an average of 1.544 megahertz (MHz) which may have a carrier frequency offset and phase jitter. The second input comprises a high speed reference clock or reference frequency f_HS which is just less than thirty-two times higher in frequency than the first input. The clock signal φ_in is derived from the digital stream of information received in the demultiplex path of the digital multiplexer/demultiplexer system. The output of the input synchronizer 12 is delivered to a write counter 18 on lead 20 where said output increments the write counter 18 and the output is also delivered to a phase counter 22 on lead 24 where said output resets the phase counter 22 to zero. An additional input to the phase counter 22 is high speed reference clock or reference frequency f_HS which is input on lead 26 and acts as a clock to the phase counter 22.

The output of write counter 18 (in the form of a number) is directed to phase sampler 28 on lead 30 while the output of phase counter 22 (also in the form of a number) is directed to phase sampler 28 on lead 32. An output of write counter 18 is also directed to an elastic buffer 19 on lead 21. The elastic buffer 19 is not part of the phase locked loop 10 but is involved in other functions in the digital multiplex/demultiplex system. The output φ_ref of zero detect 34 is input to phase sampler 28 on lead 36 and initiates a sampling function by phase sampler 28. Zero detect 34 receives the high speed reference clock or reference frequency f_HS signal on lead 38 and the output of read counter 40 on lead 42. The read counter 40 also provides an output to elastic buffer 19. The output of phase sampler 28 (in the form of a two's complement number) is provided as an input to digital filter 44 on lead 46. Digital filter 44 is a low-pass filter which processes the received number and provides an output (in the form of a number) to the offset digitally controlled oscillator (ODCO) 48 on lead 50. The ODCO 48 also receives the high speed reference clock or reference frequency f_HS as an input on lead 52. The average output frequency signal φ_out of the ODCO 48 is available on lead 54 and is also fed back as an input signal on lead 56 to the read counter 40.

In operation, the received clock signal φ_in at 1.544 MHz on lead 14 is synchronized to the high speed reference clock or reference frequency f_HS by the input synchronizer 12. The synchronized clock signal from the input synchronizer 12 is input to the write counter 18 and the phase counter 22. Each time that the leading edge of a pulse of the synchronized clock signal (the beginning of each input cycle) enters the write counter 18, the write counter 18 is incremented one count (to the next state) until some predetermined count is reached (depending upon the particular design) and then the write counter 18 is recycled to zero and the cycle repeats, etc. Each time that the leading edge of a pulse of the synchronized clock signal (the beginning of each input cycle) enters the phase counter 22, phase counter 22 resets to zero. Phase counter 22 is running at a much higher rate than the write counter 18 and is clocked by the high speed reference clock or reference frequency f_HS. In the present embodiment, phase counter 22 is designed to change sixteen times or count to sixteen while write counter 18 changes once or one count occurs (the period between reset pulses). This relationship is shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b with FIG. 2a depicting a normal period of the write counter 18, which in this example is designated as the integer one (1). FIG. 2b depicts the same period of the phase counter 22, which in the present invention comprises sixteen counts or cycles.

With reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b, phase sampler 28 samples the two signals and combines them to provide an indication of the value of the phase from the leading edge of the pulse to any point within a given cycle at the time the sampling occurs. The manner in which the signals are combined is that the number in the write counter 18 (FIG. 2a) is followed by a decimal point which is followed by the number in the phase counter (FIG. 2b) at the time of sampling. If the sampling occurs at the time of the arrow labeled a, then the number would be 1 1/16. If the sampling occurs at the time shown by arrow labeled b, then the number would be 1 5/16. The incoming signal has been converted from a continuous clock signal into a representation of the phase from the leading edge of the cycle to any point within a given cycle. For the above examples, the phase of the input signal relative to the output signal is 1 1/16 bits and 1 5/16 bits, respectively. Therefore the frequency of the output can be increased or decreased to bring the phase difference between the input and the output to zero.

The output signals (in the form of numbers in a predetermined format) from the write counter 18 and the phase counter 22 are being continuously fed to phase sampler 28 which then samples these received signals upon receipt of the φ_ref signal from zero detect 34. The phase sampler 28 combines the numbers of the incoming signals from the counters 18 and 22 and interprets the sampled numbers or data in a two's complement form or format. The interpreted number is delivered to the digital filter 44 which then performs a low pass function and a gain function on the interpreted number thereby controlling the closed loop response and providing the necessary stabilization. The digital filter 44 calculates a linearized approximation of the frequency to be generated by the ODCO. The ODCO receives the filtered version of the interpreted number and generates a digital output signal φ_out having an average output frequency based upon that filtered version of the interpreted number.

The digital output signal φ_out is delivered back to read counter 40. Each time the read counter enters a predetermined state, a signal φ_ref is sent to the phase sampler 28 which then again samples the numbers of the incoming signals from the counters 18 and 22. A new number is then delivered to the ODCO which generates a digital output signal φ_out having an average output frequency based upon the received number and the process is repeated iteratively.

With reference to FIG. 3, write counter 18 comprises binary counter 58 and conversion circuit 60. Binary counter 58 counts up to a predetermined number and then rolls back to zero and repeats the cycle. In the disclosed embodiment, binary counter 58 counts from 0-10 and its output on lead 30 is noted as X₃ -X₀. Every time that the leading edge of a pulse is input on lead 20 to binary counter 58, binary counter 58 increments to the next state and the count at that point in time is input to the conversion circuit 60 which converts the digital count to a two's complement code or notation which is input to the phase sampler 28. In addition, binary counter 58 performs a dual function by also providing a count as an output to elastic buffer 19 which addresses serial data storage locations in the elastic buffer 19.

With reference to FIG. 4, phase counter 22 comprises counter 62 and a divider circuit 64. In the preferred embodiment, counter 62 comprises a six bit counter capable of counting from zero to thirty-one. The high speed reference clock or reference frequency f_HS is input to the divider circuit 64 which, as the name implies, divides f_HS to provide a clock signal to counter 62 that is the correct rate such that counter 62 will count sixteen cycles, in its free-running state, between the receipt of consecutive synchronized clock signals from input synchronizer 12. As was previously noted, the receipt of a synchronized clock signal from input synchronizer 12 resets counter 62 to zero. The output signals labeled Y₁ thru Y_-4 are delivered to phase sampler 28. Y₁ and Y₀ are considered the integer portion of the phase offset while Y_-1 to Y_-4 is the fractional part of the phase offset.

With reference to FIG. 5, phase sampler 28 comprises preload register 66 and data mask 68. The sampler function is to convert the sampled data into two's complement form for numerical processing in digital filter 44. Preload register 66 receives the X₃ -X₀ number signals from the write counter 18 and the Y₁ -Y_-4 number signals from the phase counter 22. Each time preload register 66 receives the φ_ref signal the incoming number signals are sampled and added together to obtain a nine bit number which is input to data mask 68 and on to digital filter 44. As necessitated by the two's complement usage, the number signal from write counter 18 is sign extended by taking the X₃ bit and shifting it as a mirror image to the X₄ bit position or sign bit position. The value of Y is always positive. The addition and resulting number is as follows: ##EQU1## If the digital phase locked loop 10 cannot track the incoming signal φ_in, an out-of-lock detector (not shown) provides a signal on lead 70 which causes data mask 68 to insert a specific code, the maximum tolerable phase offset, into digital filter 44 via lead 46. The specific code biases the ODCO to a specific frequency which aids acquisition and lock-in time of the loop. Digital filter 44 is a standard recursive approximation to an analog first order low pass filter obtained through a bilinear transform. Digital filter 44 includes the provision for biasing the output value of the filter by the number ninety-four.

With reference to FIG. 6, ODCO comprises digital comparator 72, 2^m counter 74 and divide by n or n-1 divider 76. In the disclosed embodiment n is thirty-two and m is eight. High speed reference clock f_HS is input to divider 76 on lead 52 and f_HS is divided by thirty-two so that for every thirty second cycle of f_HS a pulse is output as signal φ_out on lead 54. The pulse is also input to 2^m counter 74 on lead 78 and increments the 2^m counter 74. The count of 2^m counter 74 is output to digital comparator 72 where it is compared to the input number received on lead 50 from digital filter 44. As long as the count from the 2^m counter 74 is less than the input number on lead 50, the compare signal on lead 80 is not active and is a logic 0 and the high speed reference clock f_HS is divided by thirty-two. So when the compare signal on lead 80 is not active, the high speed reference clock f_HS is just divided by thirty-two and that becomes the low speed clock signal φ_out.

When the 2^m counter 74 has been incremented such that its output is equal to or greater than the input number on lead 50, the compare signal or lead 80 becomes active which then causes the high speed reference clock f_HS to be divided by thirty-one for that cycle. So for one cycle the low speed clock signal φ_out has a shorter cycle. The compare signal on lead 80 is input to 2^m counter 74 and resets the 2^m counter 74 to zero and a new sequence starts over again with the result being dependent upon the value of the input number on lead 50.

In prior versions of digitally controlled oscillator (DCO), a symmetrical scheme of generating an output frequency is employed. In this scheme the center output frequency f₀ is generated by simply dividing the high speed reference frequency f_HS by the number n, therefore, the center frequency is f₀ =f_HS /n. Frequencies above or below f₀ are generated by dividing f_HS by n for m output cycles and then dividing f_HS by n-c or n+c. This sequence of m+1 cycles is repeated giving an average output frequency of: ##EQU2##

K[m] in equation (1) is approximately equal to 1/m. In order to linearize the function the prior art used ROM or other programmable devices to predistort the input to the DCO and thus linearize the transfer function of the DCO. This scheme when implemented is costly and complicated.

The operating point of the DCO, in prior art versions, required that m→∞ for f to equal f₀. That is, a divide by n-c or n+c never occurs. But as the value of m increases so does the sampling period. Therefore,

as m→∞ DCO bandwidth →0.

The value of m at the operating point also leads to the following: ##EQU3## Therefore the small signal response of the symmetrical DCO is zero at the operating point.

In order for the ODCO of the present invention to meet system specifications the problems of the prior art must be elminated. From the discussion of the symmetrical DCO it is obvious that the operating value of m must be reduced to a noninfinite value.

In doing so the equation (1) is changed to ##EQU4## so that equation f₀ =f_HS /n no longer applies and is replaced by ##EQU5## where M₀ is the operating value of m. The term offset arises from equation (3) because f₀ is not related to f_HS by an integer value. The value of n-c in the equation can also be n+c although there is a corresponding increase in f_HS.

The small signal response of the ODCO is defined by equation (2) and is ##EQU6## which for M₀ ≠∞ is non-zero thus eliminating the response problems of the DCO.

The Bandwidth of the ODCO is given by ##EQU7## which is non-zero for m≠∞.

The previous discussion presents a nonrigorous explanation of the prior art and the present invention and illustrates the improvement in performance of the ODCO over the prior art.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

NONPRINTED APPENDICES APPEARING IN SUBJECT PATENT FILE

Appendix A is a simplified schematic diagram of the phase counter.

Appendix B is a simplified schematic diagram of the divider portion of the phase counter.

Appendix C is a simplified schematic diagram of the lower phase counter portion of the phase counter.

Appendix D is a simplified schematic diagram of the upper phase counter portion of the phase counter.

Appendix E is a simplified schematic diagram of the write counter.

Appendix F is a simplified schematic diagram of the phase sampler and a portion of the digital filter.

Appendix G is a simplified schematic diagram of the input synchronizer.

Appendix H is a simplified schematic diagram of the digital comparator.

Appendix I is a simplified schematic diagram of the divide by n or n-1 divider.

Appendix J is a simplified schematic diagram of the 2^m counter.

Appendix K is a simplified schematic diagram of the lower portion of the 2^m counter.

Appendix L is a simplified schematic diagram of the upper portion of the 2^m counter.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted by illustrative and not in a limiting sense.