PLL Design and Frequency Control

Bo Bernhardsson

Dept. of Automatic Control

Lund Institute of Technology

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 PLL and Frequency Control

1/N

Ref 1/R Kd Filter VCO

output
frequency

N
Output frequency = R ⋅ f re f

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 PLL Analysis and Design

Analysis Tools Bandpass noise, spectrum analysis. Modeling

oscillator and phase detector noise.

PLL Analysis Linear analysis of the PLL system.

PLL Design Main tradeoffs involved in choice of bandwidth

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Bandpass linear theory

Idea: Write H as

H ( f ) = Hl ( f − f c) + Hl∗ (− f − f c)

if H ( f ) is BP near f c ; Hl ( f ) is LP
One possibility is to introduce
( (
H( f ) f > 0 0 f >0
Hl ( f − f c ) = , Hl∗ (− f − f c ) =
0 f ≤0 H( f ) f ≤0

(since h(t) real, H ∗ (− f ) = H ( f ))

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control
 Bandpass linear theory

Let hl (t) (complex!) be impulse response of Hl .

H( f ) = Hl ( f − f c) + Hl∗ (− f − f c )
h(t) = hl (t) ei2π f c t + h∗l (t) e−i2π f c t
= 2Re (hl (t) ei2π f c t )

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Bandpass linear theory

y = hLu
Y( f ) = H ( f )U ( f )
1
= ( Hl ( f − f c) + Hl∗ (− f − f c)) ( Ul ( f − f c) + Ul∗(− f − f c ))
2
1
= ( Yl ( f − f c ) + Yl∗ (− f − f c ))
2
where

Yl ( f ) = Hl ( f ) Ul ( f )
y(t) = Re ( yl (t) ei2π f c t )
u(t) = Re (ul (t) ei2π f c t )
h(t) = 2Re (hl (t) ei2π f c t )
Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control
 Bandpass linear theory

An approximate Hl can often easier be found as

1
Hl ( f )  ( H ( f + f c ) + Hl∗ (− f − f c )), small f
2
Example:

swc/ Q
H (s) =
s2 + swc/ Q + w2c
wc
2Q
Hl (s)  wc
s + 2Q

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Bandpass linear theory

Bode Diagram Bode Diagram

50 0

−5
0
Magnitude (dB)

Magnitude (dB)
−10
−50
−15

−100
−20

−150
90 −25
0

45
Phase (deg)

Phase (deg)
0 −45

−45

−90 −90
4 6 8 10 12 3 4 5 6 7 8
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Frequency (rad/sec) Frequency (rad/sec)

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Bandpass linear theory
1.5 1

0.8

1
0.6

0.4
0.5

0.2

0 0

−0.2

−0.5
−0.4

−0.6
−1

−0.8

−1.5 −1
0 0.5 1 1.5 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
−6 −6
x 10 x 10
1

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

−0.2

−0.4

−0.6

−0.8

−1
0 0.5 1 1.5
−6
x 10

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Bandpass noise

n(t) = a(t)cos(2π f ct + θ (t))

= x(t) cos(2π f c t) − y(t) sin(2π f c t)
= Re ( z(t) ei2π f c t ), z = x + iy

rn (t, τ ) = E(n(t)n(t + τ ))
1
= (r xx (τ ) + r y y (τ )) cos(2π f cτ )
2
−(r yx (τ ) − r x y (τ )) sin(2π f cτ )
+(r xx (τ ) − r y y (τ )) cos(2π f c (2t + τ ))

−(r yx (τ ) + r x y (τ )) sin(2π f c (2t + τ ))

Time average of the two fast time varying terms is zero, (if n(t)
stationary they equal zero).
Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control
 Bandpass noise

If we introduce
1 
r zz(τ ) := r xx (τ ) + r y y (τ ) + i(r yx (τ ) − r x y (τ ))
2
we can write the time-averaged covariance function

rnn (τ ) := Et (rn (t, τ ))

= Re (r zz(τ ) e j2π f cτ )

Spectral density
1
Φ nn( f ) = (Φ zz( f − f c ) + Φ zz(− f − f c))
2
Φ zz( f ) real-valued (but Φ zz(− f ) = Φ zz( f ) generally).

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Bandpass noise

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Oscillator phase noise

Assume θ (t) small and a(t) = A (phase noise is usually the

main problem) then
vco(t) = a(t) cos(2π f c t + θ (t))
 A cos(2π f c t) − Aθ (t) sin(2π f c t)
| {z } | {z }
deterministic = y ( t)

VCO noise (last term) hence has spectral density

1
Φ nn( f ) = (Φ zz( f − f c) + Φ zz(− f − f c ))
2
2
where ( Pavg = A /2) Φ zz( f m ) = Pavg Φθ ( f m)
We hence have
Φ nn( f c + f m )/ Pavg  Φθ ( f m )/2
Unit LHS: 1/Hz, RHS: rad2 /Hz. In logarithmic domain: dBc/Hz
or dBr/Hz
Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control
 Oscillator input noise

The rms-value of the phase fluctuations in radians is given by

Z
θ rms = ( Φθ ( f m )d f m)1/2

Open loop phase noise variance typically grows linearly with

time. Total variarance of phase noise can hence be infinite.
However, slow drift of phase is typically not a problem, either
baseband algorithms find the drift, or the modulation scheme is
robust against phase bias (differential phase as in GSM or
bluetooth) (See lecture 10).
Goal of PLL design is hence: Minimize phase variations
between frequencies some percent of symbol rate and infinity

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Noise on oscillator output

As before but

A cos(2π f c t) + x(t) cos(2π f c t) − y(t) sin(2π f c t)

Both amplitude and phase noise.

Phase noise part approximately given by

Φ y( f m)
Φθ ( f m ) 
A2

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Oscillator noise

Leeson approximation
 
1 fo
Φθ ( f m) = const ⋅ 1 + 2 ( )
f m 2Q

where f o is oscillator frequency. Q-value is a measure of quality

of oscillator, should be as high as possible. Can be 105 − 106 for
unloaded crystal reference, but is significantly lower for a VCO.

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Leeson Approximation, motivation

active device
x

C L G −Gm(V)
I H(s)

Resonance when Gm = G
Noise power density= I 2/(4G ∆ f ) = FkT

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Leeson Approximation, motivation

Linearized model
swo/ Q
H (s) =
s2 + swo/ Q + w2o
1 s2 + swo/ Q + w2o
M (s) = =
1 − H (s) s2 + w2o
f o/(2Q)
M (i2π ( f o + f m ))  1 − i
fm
FkT f o/(2Q) 2
Φθ ( f m ) = Φ in( f m)h Ml ( f m )h2 = (1 + ( ) )
Ploss fm

F=experimental constant, related to noise figure of amplifier

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Phase noise in oscillators
spectral density

−3

−2
0

fm
f_flicker fo/2Q

FkT f o/(2Q) 2
Φθ ( f m ) = (1 + ( ) ) (1 + f f licker/ f m)[ W / H z].
Ploss fm | {z }
flicker noise

Trade-off in design of VCOs: Choose minimal power Ploss that

gives acceptable phase noise performance
Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control
 Dividers and phase noise

Dividers give (need not be implemented exactly this way)

2π f c t + θ
yin = A cos(2π f c t + θ ) → yout = A cos( )
N
Divider phase equals

ω out (t) = ω in(t)/ N

Phase noise spectral density transforms as

1
Φ out ( f ) = Φ in( f )
N2

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Noise in phase detectors and loop filters

Can be complicated, but can often be approximated as white

noise.
For a phase-frequency detector each pulse contains a random
time error. Hence phase noise density increases linearly with
comparison frequency.
Since comparison frequency equals f out R/ N phase detector
power is proportional to 1/ N .
1/N

Ref 1/R Kd Filter VCO

output
frequency

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Closed loop

1/N

Ref 1/R + Kd Z(s) Kvco/s

G = Kd Z (s) Kvco/s
H = 1/ N
G
1+ G H R-divider, N-divider, Phasedetector, Ref (⋅1/ R)
1
1+ G H VCO

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Closed Loop

G/(1+GH) 1/(1+GH)
1
N

G(s)
N/G(s)

wp wp

XTAL, R-div, N-div, Phasedetect VCO

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Loop filter

Typical lead lag loop filter

1/N

Ref 1/R Kd VCO

R2 output
C1 C2 frequency

Filter

1 + sR2 C2
Z (s) =
s( C1 + C2)(1 + sR2 CC11+CC22 )
G
1+ G H slope -2 for high frequencies (40dB per decade)
1
1+ G H slope 2 for low frequencies

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Bode Diagram of G H

Bode Diagram
100

50
Magnitude (dB)

−50

−100
−120
Phase (deg)

−150

−180
3 4 5 6 7
10 10 10 10 10
Frequency (rad/sec)

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Closed loop, output phase noise

Phase noise spectral density

−50
N*XTAL
VCO open loop
−60 PLL bandwidth=2kHz−32kHz

−70

−80

−90
dBc/Hz

−100

−110

−120

−130

−140
2 3 4 5 6
10 10 10 10 10
Frequency [Hz]

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Choice of bandwidth
Phase noise spectral density
−50
N*XTAL
VCO open loop
−60 PLL bandwidth=2kHz−32kHz

−70

−80

−90
dBc/Hz

−100

−110

−120

−130

−140
2 3 4 5 6
10 10 10 10 10
Frequency [Hz]

Trade-off between Xtal refererenc noise and VCO-noise

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control
 Choice of bandwidth

I Xtal reference and phase detector noise versus VCO noise

I Convergence time
I Spurs

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Convergence time

Can require 10 time constants to convergence (10MHz jump,

100Hz residual error tolerated, 40dB, error decreases 4.3dB
per rise time)
Step Response
1.4

1.2

0.8
Amplitude

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Time (sec) −4
x 10

Increased BW can be used during large frequency changes

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Spurs

I Charge pump leakage

I Current source/sink mismatch
I Unequal source/sink turn on times
I Deadzone

VCO input

Phase

Spur frequencies = f c + M ⋅ f comp, M = ±1, 2, . . .

Charge pump leakage spur level increases with loop bandwidth
and decreases with comparison frequency.
Additional filtering can be used to filter out spurs
Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control
 Automatic Frequency Correction

Radio Baseband

Filter and Filter and I+jQ

x AFC
Ampl. Ampl.

PLL

Use demodulated I,Q values to find small frequency error.

Time constant of AFC around 100-1000 IQ-symbols.

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Automatic Frequency Correction
1.5

0.5

−0.5

−1

−1.5
−1.5 −1 −0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5

If transmitted data known P(t)=pilots, use I+jQ:=R(t)/P(t)

I FFT of (I+jQ), find largest peak
I Lowpass filter arg(I+JQ)
I Arg of lowpass filter of I+jQ
Without pilot the Costas loop from previous lecture can be
used, or use decoded data
Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control
 Automatic Frequency Correction

Trade-off in AFC filter design:

Fast filter needed to follow changes in frequency error (due to

heating or UE speed changes).

Slow filter needed to filter out effect of channel variations (i.e.

fading) unrelated to frequency error.

First order or second order filter often sufficient

Quantization effects in DAC converter might need to be treated

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Assignment2

Use the Fractional-N PLL demos in Simulink to verify that you

understand their behavior. Plot the spectrum of the output of
the fractional-PLL (use the output "Synthesized Frequency in
Hz", its most efficient) and see if you can determine how the
spurs depend on the "Fractional Constant"?

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control

 Assignment3

Use linear models of the PLL to analyse and design a PLL

without stationary phase error, i.e. with at least one integrator in
the loop filter. Use Kvco=10MHz/Volt and Kphi=5mA/rad,
N=8500 and reference frequency 200kHz (the VCO will hence
have ouput frequency f c=1700MHz). The loop should have at
least 45 degrees phase margin and a 90percent settling time of
150 us. Try to minimize the total rms-phase error integrated
over 1kHz to 10MHz. VCO noise can be modeled as having
slope -2 and equal -110dBc/Hz at 100kHz from f c, and phase
detector noise is given by -175dBc/Hz for frequencies 1kHz to
10MHz from f c . Other noise sources can be neglected. Handin
relevant analys and diagrams to document your design.

Bo Bernhardsson: PLL Design and Frequency Control