Oscillator voltage reference method and apparatus

Apparatus for providing a regulated power supply to an oscillator, comprising:

• a reference voltage generator, the reference voltage generator supplying a voltage reference as an output;
• a regulator that produces a regulated supply as a function of a voltage received as an input thereto, the regulated supply being provided as an output for use by the oscillator which bases a frequency it produces and supplies as an output on the regulated supply;
• a sample capacitor having a terminal thereof coupled to the regulator;
• and
• a controllable switch, the controllable switch being coupled to the reference voltage generator and being coupled to a point at which the sample capacitor terminal is coupled to the regulator, wherein when the controllable switch is in a closed position the controllable switch electrically couples the reference voltage generator to the regulator and to the sample capacitor terminal so that the regulator and sample capacitor each receive the voltage reference supplied as an output by the reference voltage generator and when the controllable switch is in an open position the regulator and sample capacitor are both disconnected from the reference voltage generator;
• wherein, the controllable switch is closed for at least one time period, wherein during the at least one time period a voltage is stored on the sample capacitor, the voltage stored on the sample capacitor being based on the voltage reference supplied as an output by the reference voltage generator, and for at least a second time period that is subsequent to the first time period the controllable switch is in the open position, and voltage stored on the sample capacitor is supplied from the sample capacitor terminal to the regulator for use as the voltage received as an input thereto.