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SamsungGranted patentChips & hardwareInterest 2/10

Samsung patents clock circuit that adjusts timing using dual voltage checks

This filing describes a phase-locked loop, a circuit that keeps a device's internal clock in sync with a reference signal. It uses a detector that checks the timing gap between two signals and outputs specific voltages and status codes to adjust the clock speed accurately.

Why it mattersThis is a routine improvement to chip design that helps ensure internal components operate at the correct speed without drifting.

In the filing’s own words

A phase-locked loop device and a method for operating the same, including: a voltage-controlled oscillator configured to generate an output clock signal; a divider configured to divide the output clock signal into a first phase division signal; a sampling phase frequency detector configured to: receive a first supply voltage, a second supply voltage different from the first supply voltage, and the first phase division signal, and based on determining that a phase difference between the first phase division signal and a reference clock signal corresponds to a first interval, output a hold voltage and a status signal for the phase difference; a transconductance circuit configured to output a first conversion current based on the hold voltage; a charge pump configured to output a second conversion current based on the status signal; and a loop filter configured to provide a voltage control signal to the voltage-controlled oscillator.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A phase-locked loop device, comprising: a voltage-controlled oscillator configured to generate an output clock signal; a divider configured to divide the output clock signal into a first phase division signal; a sampling phase frequency detector configured to: receive a first supply voltage, a second supply voltage different from the first supply voltage, and the first phase division signal, and based on determining that a phase difference between the first phase division signal and a reference clock signal corresponds to a first interval, output a hold voltage based on the first supply voltage or the second supply voltage, and output a status signal for the phase difference; a transconductance circuit configured to output a first conversion current based on the hold voltage; a charge pump configured to output a second conversion current based on the status signal; and a loop filter configured to provide a voltage control signal corresponding to the first conversion current and the second conversion current to the voltage-controlled oscillator.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
Phase-locked loop device, and operating method of the device
Patent number
US12750061B2
Application number
18904828
Filed
Oct 2, 2024
Granted
Sep 29, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
20

Classified under

H03L 7/0895 Electricity & electronicsH03L 7/099 Electricity & electronicsH03L 7/1077 Electricity & electronicsH03L 7/18 Electricity & electronicsH03K 19/20 Electricity & electronics

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.