A frequency generation solution controls an oscillator amplitude using two feedback paths to generate high frequency signals with lower power consumption and lower noise. A first feedback path provides continuous control of the oscillator amplitude responsive to an amplitude detected at the oscillator output. A second feedback path provides discrete control of the amplitude regulating parameter(s) of the oscillator responsive to the detected oscillator amplitude. Because the second feedback path enables the adjustment of the amplitude regulating parameter(s), the second feedback path enables an amplifier in the first feedback path to operate at a reduced gain, and thus also at a reduced power and a reduced noise, without jeopardizing the performance of the oscillator.

A frequency generation solution controls an oscillator amplitude using two feedback paths to generate high frequency signals with lower power consumption and lower noise. A first feedback path provides continuous control of the oscillator amplitude responsive to an amplitude detected at the oscillator output. A second feedback path provides discrete control of the amplitude regulating parameter(s) of the oscillator responsive to the detected oscillator amplitude. Because the second feedback path enables the adjustment of the amplitude regulating parameter(s), the second feedback path enables an amplifier in the first feedback path to operate at a reduced gain, and thus also at a reduced power and a reduced noise, without jeopardizing the performance of the oscillator.

At least one example embodiment provides a controller to sample a first signal. The first signal indicates an initial amplitude of an output signal of an oscillator circuit. The controller selects a step amount based on the first signal and a target amplitude of the output signal. The controller generates a control signal for the oscillator circuit based on the selected step amount. The control signal indicates a change in gain for the oscillator circuit according to the selected step amount.

Provided is a Precision Voltage Reference (PVR). In one example, the PVR includes a resonator having an oscillation frequency, the resonator including a first proof-mass, a first forcer located adjacent a first side of the first proof-mass, and a second forcer located adjacent a second side of the first proof-mass. The PVR may include control circuitry configured to generate a reference voltage based on the oscillation frequency of the resonator, at least one converter configured to receive the reference voltage from the control circuitry, provide a first bias voltage to the first forcer based on the reference voltage, provide a second bias voltage to the second forcer based on the reference voltage, and periodically alter a polarity of the first and second bias voltages to drive the oscillation frequency to match a reference frequency, and an output configured to provide the reference voltage as a voltage reference signal.

Provided is a method for controlling the bias current, I.sub.PIERCE, of an oscillator. The method includes acquiring or determining a digital representation encoding a bias current. The method also includes carrying out an algorithm to update the digital representation if the oscillation amplitude is measured, by one or more peak detectors, to be outside of upper and lower thresholds. Also provided is an apparatus arranged to control the bias current of an oscillator using this method, the apparatus including one or more peak detectors and a current digital to analogue converter.

The self-polarised quartz oscillator circuit comprises an amplifier with an output which is connected to a first electrode of the quartz and an input which is connected to a second electrode of the quartz, an output capacitor which is connected to the first electrode of the quartz and an input capacitor which is connected to the second electrode of the quartz. The amplifier is polarised by a current through a MOS polarisation transistor, which is generated in an amplitude regulation assembly which comprises also an amplitude regulation stage. The second electrode of the quartz is connected to the gate of the polarisation transistor and to the amplitude regulation stage in order to modulate the polarisation current and to regulate the oscillation amplitude of the quartz.

Circuits and processes for locking a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) at a high frequency signal are described. A circuit may include a voltage-controlled oscillator configured to generate a high frequency signal based on a control signal, a dummy load parallel to the voltage-controlled oscillator and configured to receive the control signal via a switch, and a digital-to-analog converter coupled to the voltage-controlled oscillator where the control signal is generated based on an output of the digital-to-analog converter.

A circuit includes an oscillator having a driver and a resonator. The driver receives a supply voltage at a supply input and provides a drive output to drive the resonator to generate an oscillator output signal. A power converter receives an input voltage and generates the supply voltage to the supply input of the driver. The power converter varies the supply voltage based on an adjust command supplied to a command input of the power converter. A detector monitors a voltage level of the oscillator output signal. A controller sets the adjust command to the power converter to control the supply voltage to the supply input of the driver such that the voltage level of the oscillator output signal is set at or above a predetermined threshold voltage.

A frequency generation solution controls an oscillator amplitude using two feedback paths to generate high frequency signals with lower power consumption and lower noise. A first feedback path provides continuous control of the oscillator amplitude responsive to an amplitude detected at the oscillator output. A second feedback path provides discrete control of the amplitude regulating parameter(s) of the oscillator responsive to the detected oscillator amplitude. Because the second feedback path enables the adjustment of the amplitude regulating parameter(s), the second feedback path enables an amplifier in the first feedback path to operate at a reduced gain, and thus also at a reduced power and a reduced noise, without jeopardizing the performance of the oscillator.

A trigger, includes: a first voltage input terminal; a bias voltage input terminal; a first bias transistor having a scaling of N to a first component of an external device; a comparator transistor having a scaling of N to a second component of the external device; a first switch transistor and a second switch transistor; a shunt transistor having a control terminal connected to the first voltage input terminal, a second terminal connected to the second terminal of the second switch transistor, and a first terminal connected to the first terminal of the comparator transistor. The shunt transistor has an enlarging scale of M to the comparator transistor. A voltage output terminal is respectively connected to the second terminal of the first switch transistor, the control terminal of the second switch transistor, and the second terminal of the comparator transistor.