Apparatus and methods for clock synchronization and frequency translation are provided herein. Clock synchronization and frequency translation integrated circuits (ICs) generate one or more output clock signals having a controlled timing relationship with respect to one or more reference signals. The teachings herein provide a number of improvements to clock synchronization and frequency translation ICs, including, but not limited to, reduction of system clock error, reduced variation in clock propagation delay, lower latency monitoring of reference signals, precision timing distribution and recovery, extrapolation of timing events for enhanced phase-locked loop (PLL) update rate, fast PLL locking, improved reference signal phase shift detection, enhanced phase offset detection between reference signals, and/or alignment to phase information lost in decimation.

A phase-locked loop (PLL) including a multiplexer with multiple inputs, each input coupled to receive a different reference clock. A time-to-digital converter (TDC) generates a TDC output value based on a phase difference between a reference clock from the multiplexer and a feedback clock. An averager circuit coupled to an output of the TDC. An adder circuit is coupled to outputs of the TDC and the averager circuit. A loop filter is coupled to an output of the adder circuit.

A voltage-controlled oscillator generates a VCO output signal at frequency f.sub.M. A dual optical-frequency source generates optical signals at frequencies v.sub.1S and v.sub.2S. An electro-optic frequency divider (EOFD) generates multiple optical sidebands spaced by f.sub.M, and from two sidebands generates a beat signal at beat frequency f. A first control circuit generates an error signal from the beat signal and a first reference signal at frequency f.sub.REF1, and couples the VCO and the EOFD in a negative feedback arrangement that stabilizes the output frequency f.sub.M. A second control circuit generates an error signal from the frequency-divided output signal and a second reference signal at frequency f.sub.REF2, and couples the VCO and one or both of the dual source or the first reference signal in a negative feedback arrangement that stabilizes, or compensates for fluctuations of, a difference frequency v.sub.2Sv.sub.1S.

Clock circuits, components, systems and signal processing methods enabling digital communication are described. A phase locked loop device derives an output signal locked to a first reference clock signal in a feedback loop. A common phase detector is employed to obtain phase differences between a copy of the output signal and a second reference clock signal. The phase differences are employed in an integral phase control loop within the feedback loop to lock the phase locked loop device to the center frequency of the second reference signal. The phase differences are also employed in a proportional phase control loop within the feedback loop to reduce the effect of imperfect component operation. Cascading the integral and proportional phase control within the feedback loop enables an amount of phase error to be filtered out from the output signal.

Pulsed fluorescence imaging without input clock or data transmission clock is disclosed. A system includes an emitter for emitting pulses of electromagnetic radiation and an image sensor comprising a pixel array for sensing reflected electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a plurality of bidirectional data pads and a controller in communication with the image sensor. The system is such that at least a portion of the pulses of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter comprises one or more of: electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 770 nm to about 790 nm; or electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 795 nm to about 815 nm.

A synthesizer comprises a first two-point modulation phase locked loop, TPM PLL, circuit that receives a first reference clock signal at a first reference frequency and a feedback signal at a feedback frequency and generates a first chirp signal by applying a two-point modulation PLL on the first reference clock signal, a second integer-n TPM PLL circuit that receives a second reference clock signal at a second reference frequency lower than the first reference frequency and generates a second chirp signal by applying a TPM PLL on the second reference clock signal, a mixer that downconverts the first chirp signal by the second chirp signal to obtain the feedback signal at the feedback frequency corresponding to the difference of the frequency of the first chirp signal and the second chirp signal, and a feedback path that feeds back the feedback signal to the first TPM PLL circuit.

A phase-locked loop (PLL) includes a time-to-digital converter (TDC) to receive a reference clock. The PLL also includes a digital loop filter coupled to the TDC. The digital loop filter repeatedly generates frequency control words. An analog phase-locked loop (APLL) includes a programmable frequency divider. A non-volatile memory device stores a value from the digital loop filter. The PLL includes a free-run control circuit. Upon a power-on reset process, the free-run circuit retrieves the value from the non-volatile memory to adjust a divide ratio of the programmable frequency divider based on the retrieved value. Upon a reference clock provided to the TDC, the free-run control circuit continues to adjust the divide ratio of the programmable frequency divider based on both the retrieved value from the non-volatile memory and a current frequency control word from the digital loop filter.

A phase-locked loop (PLL) including a multiplexer with multiple inputs, each input coupled to receive a different reference clock. A time-to-digital converter (TDC) generates a TDC output value based on a phase difference between a reference clock from the multiplexer and a feedback clock. An averager circuit coupled to an output of the TDC. An adder circuit is coupled to outputs of the TDC and the averager circuit. A loop filter is coupled to an output of the adder circuit.

A phase-locked loop (PLL) system includes a first PLL coupled to receive a first reference clock. The PLL system also includes a second PLL coupled to receive a second reference clock. The output of the second PLL is coupled to the first PLL, and the second PLL is configured to control the first PLL. The PLL system further includes a third PLL coupled to receive an input reference clock. The output of the third PLL is coupled to the second PLL. The third PLL is configured to control the second PLL.

A phase-locked loop (PLL) includes a time-to-digital converter (TDC) to receive a reference clock. The PLL also includes a digital loop filter coupled to the TDC. The digital loop filter repeatedly generates frequency control words. An analog phase-locked loop (APLL) includes a programmable frequency divider. A non-volatile memory device stores a value from the digital loop filter. The PLL includes a free-run control circuit. Upon a power-on reset process, the free-run circuit retrieves the value from the non-volatile memory to adjust a divide ratio of the programmable frequency divider based on the retrieved value. Upon a reference clock provided to the TDC, the free-run control circuit continues to adjust the divide ratio of the programmable frequency divider based on both the retrieved value from the non-volatile memory and a current frequency control word from the digital loop filter.