An oscillator circuit has a reconfigurable oscillator amplifier. The reconfigurable oscillator amplifier is used to be coupled to a resonant circuit in parallel. The reconfigurable oscillator amplifier supports different circuit configurations for different operation modes, respectively. The reconfigurable oscillator amplifier has at least one circuit component shared by the different circuit configurations. The reconfigurable oscillator amplifier employs one of the different circuit configurations under one of the different operation modes.

An oscillator circuit has a reconfigurable oscillator amplifier. The reconfigurable oscillator amplifier is used to be coupled to a resonant circuit in parallel. The reconfigurable oscillator amplifier supports different circuit configurations for different operation modes, respectively. The reconfigurable oscillator amplifier has at least one circuit component shared by the different circuit configurations. The reconfigurable oscillator amplifier employs one of the different circuit configurations under one of the different operation modes.

An oscillator circuit topology using a one-pin external resonator suitable for integrated-circuit low-voltage, low-power applications that require a fast-starting accurate clock is disclosed. The circuit incorporates a novel arrangement of a plurality of active transconductance cells that respond to a digital control and provide adjustable loop gain for the oscillator. A programmable number of start-up transconductance cells are engaged in the initial phase of the oscillation for temporarily increasing the loop gain and energizing the resonator, and are disengaged from the oscillator core once the oscillation level is sufficiently large. The start-up transconductance cells may be identical to the always-on transconductance cells in the oscillator core, or they may be scaled versions of those cells. In addition, a programmable number of identical or scaled transconductance cells may be provided in the oscillator core itself, for accommodating different resonators. Internal circuit implementations of the transconductance cells that enable their efficient combination for increasing the oscillator loop gain are also disclosed.

An oscillator circuit topology using a one-pin external resonator suitable for integrated-circuit low-voltage, low-power applications that require a fast-starting accurate clock is disclosed. The circuit incorporates a novel arrangement of a plurality of active transconductance cells that respond to a digital control and provide adjustable loop gain for the oscillator. A programmable number of start-up transconductance cells are engaged in the initial phase of the oscillation for temporarily increasing the loop gain and energizing the resonator, and are disengaged from the oscillator core once the oscillation level is sufficiently large. The start-up transconductance cells may be identical to the always-on transconductance cells in the oscillator core, or they may be scaled versions of those cells. In addition, a programmable number of identical or scaled transconductance cells may be provided in the oscillator core itself, for accommodating different resonators. Internal circuit implementations of the transconductance cells that enable their efficient combination for increasing the oscillator loop gain are also disclosed.

A bandgap reference (BGR) circuit and method generates a constant voltage reference that is stable over temperature variations. The BGR circuit is composed of a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) stage, a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) stage, and an output stage interposed between the PTAT stage and the CTAT stage. The PTAT stage is configured to produce a PTAT current and the CTAT stage is configured to produce a CTAT current. The BGR circuit is configured to mirror the PTAT current and mirror the CTAT current to produce a mirrored PTAT current and a mirrored CTAT current in the output stage and the output stage is configured to combine the mirrored PTAT current and the mirrored CTAT current to generate the constant voltage reference.

A bandgap reference (BGR) circuit and method generates a constant voltage reference that is stable over temperature variations. The BGR circuit is composed of a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) stage, a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) stage, and an output stage interposed between the PTAT stage and the CTAT stage. The PTAT stage is configured to produce a PTAT current and the CTAT stage is configured to produce a CTAT current. The BGR circuit is configured to mirror the PTAT current and mirror the CTAT current to produce a mirrored PTAT current and a mirrored CTAT current in the output stage and the output stage is configured to combine the mirrored PTAT current and the mirrored CTAT current to generate the constant voltage reference.

A crystal amplifier for driving a crystal to oscillate at a resonant frequency including a controlled current source, a primary amplifier core, a high gain amplifier core, and a controller. Both amplifier cores are coupled in parallel, and each has an input coupled to an amplifier input node and an output coupled to an amplifier output node coupled across the crystal. The current source provides a core bias current to the source node. The controller enables the high gain amplifier core and sets the core bias current to a high current level to achieve a high negative resistance at a startup time, and then disables the high gain amplifier core and sets the core bias current to a lower steady state current level after oscillation is achieved. A level detector may be used for detecting oscillation and for determining when to adjust the core bias current.

An oscillator module used with a plurality of power sources includes an oscillator unit, a clock monitor unit (CMU), a software module and a digital calibration circuit. The oscillator unit generates a clock signal. The CMU is coupled to the oscillator unit, determines whether an amplitude of the clock signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, and outputs an alarm signal if the amplitude of the clock signal is lower than the predetermined threshold. The software module is coupled to the CMU, and receives the alarm signal to output a calibration signal. The digital calibration circuit is coupled to the oscillator and the software module, and outputs a control signal in response to the clock signal and the calibration signal, adjusting the plurality of power sources to modify the clock signal.

An oscillator module used with a plurality of power sources includes an oscillator unit, a clock monitor unit (CMU), a software module and a digital calibration circuit. The oscillator unit generates a clock signal. The CMU is coupled to the oscillator unit, determines whether an amplitude of the clock signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, and outputs an alarm signal if the amplitude of the clock signal is lower than the predetermined threshold. The software module is coupled to the CMU, and receives the alarm signal to output a calibration signal. The digital calibration circuit is coupled to the oscillator and the software module, and outputs a control signal in response to the clock signal and the calibration signal, adjusting the plurality of power sources to modify the clock signal.

A method for operating a fast start-up oscillator system, which includes a reference oscillator and a quartz oscillator connected to an electronic oscillator circuit, which is provided to supply a master clock signal to a start-up controller configured to perform a fast start-up procedure of the quartz oscillator via the reference oscillator. The start-up controller includes a calculation unit and a memory unit for storing data in connection with the reference oscillator for starting the quartz oscillator. The method includes parameterising the calculation unit for starting the quartz oscillator, generating excitation bursts, determining a phase deviation in different successive periods between the oscillation of the reference oscillator and the oscillation of the quartz oscillator, calculating a frequency error in the calculation unit, and correcting the frequency of the reference oscillator to the frequency of the quartz oscillator.