An adaptive voltage converter adapted to compensate for the exponential sensitivities of sub-threshold and near-threshold circuits. The converter can change its power/performance characteristics between different energy modes. The converter may comprise two or more voltage converters/regulators. A multiplexing circuit selects between the outputs of the several converters/regulators depending on the state of a control signal generated by a control facility. The converter is specially adapted to change the output of each converter/regulator based on a number of variables, including, for example, process corner, temperature and input voltage.

An adaptive voltage converter adapted to compensate for the exponential sensitivities of sub-threshold and near-threshold circuits. The converter can change its power/performance characteristics between different energy modes. The converter may comprise two or more voltage converters/regulators. A multiplexing circuit selects between the outputs of the several converters/regulators depending on the state of a control signal generated by a control facility. The converter is specially adapted to change the output of each converter/regulator based on a number of variables, including, for example, process corner, temperature and input voltage.

A start-up phase of a phase lock loop (PLL) circuit includes supplying, by a phase comparator, of control pulses during which an output signal frequency of an oscillator increases. The increase includes an application of a pre-charge current at the oscillator input. A determination is made of a time variation of the output signal frequency. At least one adjustment is made of the intensity of the pre-charge current depending on the at least one determined time variation so as to approach a reference time variation.

The invention concerns a frequency locked loop comprising: a digitally controlled oscillator (102) configured to generate a frequency signal (F); a frequency counter (310) configured to generate an estimate (f_EST) of the frequency of the frequency signal based on a reference clock signal (CLK_REF); and a controller (314) configured to generate a digital control signal (C_FREQ) for controlling the digitally controlled oscillator based on the estimated frequency, wherein the controller is clocked by a further clock signal (CLK) having a variable frequency, and the controller is configured to generate a trigger signal (AUTO_CLEAR) for triggering a counting phase of the frequency counter.

The invention concerns a frequency locked loop comprising: a digitally controlled oscillator (102) configured to generate a frequency signal (F); a frequency counter (310) configured to generate an estimate (f_EST) of the frequency of the frequency signal based on a reference clock signal (CLK_REF); and a controller (314) configured to generate a digital control signal (C_FREQ) for controlling the digitally controlled oscillator based on the estimated frequency, wherein the controller is clocked by a further clock signal (CLK) having a variable frequency, and the controller is configured to generate a trigger signal (AUTO_CLEAR) for triggering a counting phase of the frequency counter.

An equalizer control device includes a first circuit configured to, upon receipt of a data signal that has been equalized by a continuous time linear equalizer (CTLE) circuit, output a first signal related to a first number of times a waveform of the data signal crosses a threshold value or differential signals of the data signal cross each other. A second circuit is configured to count the first number during a particular time period based on the output first signal, and select one of equalization parameters to be set to the CTLE circuit based on the counted first number.

An equalizer control device includes a first circuit configured to, upon receipt of a data signal that has been equalized by a continuous time linear equalizer (CTLE) circuit, output a first signal related to a first number of times a waveform of the data signal crosses a threshold value or differential signals of the data signal cross each other. A second circuit is configured to count the first number during a particular time period based on the output first signal, and select one of equalization parameters to be set to the CTLE circuit based on the counted first number.

Oscillator circuitry is disclosed. The oscillator circuitry comprises a free-running oscillator for generating pulses at a frequency, and a frequency adjustment circuit for adaptively adjusting the frequency of the free-running oscillator. The frequency adjustment circuit comprises a counter configured to count a number of pulses generated by the free-running oscillator and logic configured to compare the number of pulses with an expected number of pulses (corresponding to a target frequency) to determine a difference value and to adjust the frequency of the free-running oscillator in dependence on the difference value. The frequency adjustment circuit is configured, in response to receiving a synchronisation pulse, to trigger an update of the number of pulses to be compared.

Oscillator circuitry is disclosed. The oscillator circuitry comprises a free-running oscillator for generating pulses at a frequency, and a frequency adjustment circuit for adaptively adjusting the frequency of the free-running oscillator. The frequency adjustment circuit comprises a counter configured to count a number of pulses generated by the free-running oscillator and logic configured to compare the number of pulses with an expected number of pulses (corresponding to a target frequency) to determine a difference value and to adjust the frequency of the free-running oscillator in dependence on the difference value. The frequency adjustment circuit is configured, in response to receiving a synchronisation pulse, to trigger an update of the number of pulses to be compared.

A method for determining phase continuity of a local oscillator signal generated using a frequency divider is provided. The method includes determining at least one sample of the local oscillator signal. Further, the method includes determining information on the phase continuity using the at least one sample.