
AD9864
The stability, phase noise, spur performance, and transient
response of the AD9864’s LO (and CLK) synthesizers are
determined by the external loop filter, the VCO, the N-divide
factor, and the reference frequency, f
REF
. A good overview of the
theory and practical implementation of PLL synthesizers (fea-
tured as a three-part series in Analog Dialogue) can be found
on the Analog Devices website. Also, a free software copy of the
Analog Devices’ ADIsimPLL, a PLL synthesizer simulation
tool, is available at
www.analog.com
. Note that the ADF4112
model can be used as a close approximation to the AD9864’s
LO synthesizer when using this software tool.
FREF
84k
~VDDL/2
LO
BUFFER
500
500
TO MIXER
LO PORT
1.75V
BIAS
LOP
LON
NOTES
1. ESD DIODE STRUCTURES OMITTED FOR CLARITY.
2. FREF STBY SWITCHES SHOWN WITH LO SYNTHESIZER ON.
0
Figure 39. Equivalent Input of LO and REF Buffers
sizers’ LO and REF buffers (excluding the ESD structures). The LO input is fed to the LO synthesizer’s buffer as well as the LO
port of the AD9864’s mixer. Both inputs are self-biasing and
thus tolerate ac-coupled inputs. The LO input can be driven
with a single-ended or differential signal. Single-ended dc-
coupled inputs should ensure sufficient signal swing above and
below the common-mode bias of the LO and REF buffers (i.e.,
1.75 V and
VDDL
/2). Note that the f
REF
input is slew rate
dependent and must be driven with input signals exceeding
7.5 V/μs to ensure proper synthesizer operation. If this condi-
tion cannot be met, an external logic gate can be inserted prior
to the f
REF
input to square up the signal, thus allowing an f
REF
input frequency approaching dc.
FAST ACQUIRE MODE
The fast acquire circuit attempts to boost the output current
when the phase difference between the divided-down LO, i.e.,
f
LO
, and the divided-down reference frequency, i.e.,
f
REF
, exceeds
the threshold determined by the LOFA register. The LOFA
register specifies a divisor for the
f
REF
signal that determines the
period (
T
) of this divided-down clock. This period defines the
time interval used in the fast acquire algorithm to control the
charge pump current.
Assume for the moment that the nominal charge pump current
is at its lowest setting, i.e., LOI = 0, and denote this minimum
current by
I
0
. When the output pulse from the phase compara-
tor exceeds
T
, the output current for the next pulse is 2
I
0
. When
the pulse is wider than 2
T
, the output current for the next pulse
is 3
I
0
, and so forth, up to eight times the minimum output cur-
rent. If the nominal charge pump current is more than the
minimum value, i.e., LOI > 0, the preceding rule is only applied
if it results in an increase in the instantaneous charge pump
current. If the charge pump current is set to its lowest value
(LOI = 0) and the fast acquire circuit is enabled, the instantane-
ous charge pump current will never fall below 2
I
0
when the
pulsewidth is less than
T
. Thus, the charge pump current when
fast acquire is enabled is given by
(
,
)
[
]
T
Pulsewidth
LOI
Max
I
I
0
FA
–
PUMP
/
,
1
=
×
=
(4)
The recommended setting for LOFA is
LOR
/16. Choosing a
larger value for LOFA will increase
T
. Thus, for a given phase
difference between the LO input and the
f
REF
input, the instan-
taneous charge pump current will be less than that available for
a LOFA value of
LOR
/16. Similarly, a smaller value for LOFA
will decrease
T
, making more current available for the same
phase difference. In other words, a smaller value of LOFA will
enable the synthesizer to settle faster in response to a frequency
hop than will a large LOFA value. Care must be taken to choose
a value for LOFA that is large enough (values greater than 4
recommended) to prevent the loop from oscillating back and
forth in response to a frequency hop.
Table 12. SPI Registers Associated with LO Synthesizer
Address
(Hex)
down
Width
0x00
(7:0)
1
0x08
(5:0)
6
0x09
(7:0)
8
0x0A
(7:5)
(4:0)
5
0x0B
(7:0)
8
0x0C
(6)
(5)
(4:2)
(1:0)
2
0x0D
(3:0)
4
0x0E
(7:0)
8
Bit Break–
Default
Value
0xFF
0x00
0x38
0x5
0x00
0xiD
0
0
0
0
0x0
0x04
Name
STBY
LOR (13:8)
LOR (7:0)
LOA
LOB (12:8)
LOB(7:0)
LOF
LOINV
LOI
LOTM
LOFA(13:8)
LOFA(7:0)
3
1
1
3
CLOCK SYNTHESIZER
The clock synthesizer is a fully programmable integer-N PLL
capable of 2.2 kHz resolution at clock input frequencies up to
18 MHz and reference frequencies up to 25 MHz. It is similar
to the LO synthesizer described in Figure 38 with the following
exceptions:
It does not include an 8/9 prescaler nor an A counter.
It includes a negative-resistance core that, when used in
conjunction with an external LC tank and varactor, serves
as the VCO.
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