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Abstract

A phase lock loop frequency synthesizer includes a phase rotator in the feedback path of the PLL. The PLL includes a phase detector, a low pass filter, a charge pump, a voltage controlled oscillator ('VCO'), and a feed back path connecting output of the VCO to the phase detector. The feedback path includes a phase rotator connected to the output of the VCO and to an input of a frequency divider. Coarse frequency control is implemented by adjusting the input reference frequency to the phase detector or by adjusting the divider ratio of the frequency divider. Fine frequency control is achieved by increasing or decreasing the rotation speed of the phase rotator. The phase rotator constantly rotates phase of the VCO output, thereby causing a frequency shift at the output of the phase rotator. The rotation speed of the phase rotator is controlled by an accumulator and a digital frequency control word. Any high frequency noise generated by the phase rotator is rejected by the PLL by properly setting the PLL bandwidth so that the noise falls outside the bandwidth of the PLL. Therefore, a low noise synthesized output from the VCO is generated.

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