Automated frequency compensation for remote synchronization

A method for providing oscillator synchronization, said method comprising the steps of:

• operating a controllable first oscillator in a phase lock loop mode of operation, wherein a frequency of said first oscillator is synchronized with a frequency of a second oscillator over a first range of frequencies less than a second range of frequencies over which synchronization is desired;
• detecting when operation in said phase lock loop mode of operation is unable to maintain synchronization of said first oscillator with said second oscillator;
• and
• operating in a sweep mode of operation when said detecting step indicates said phase lock loop mode of operation is unable to maintain synchronization of said first oscillator with said second oscillator, wherein said sweep mode of operation comprises the steps of:
• providing control signals to adjust said first range of frequencies with respect to said second range of frequencies, wherein adjustment of said first range of frequencies causes said first range of frequencies to correspond to a different portion of said second range of frequencies without broadening said first range of frequencies;
• and
• detecting if said phase lock loop mode of operation is able to acquire synchronization of said first oscillator with said second oscillator, wherein said providing range adjusting control signals step is repeated if it is determined said phase lock loop mode of operation is not able to acquire synchronization of said first oscillator with said second oscillator.

An automatic frequency compensation system comprising:

• a voltage controlled oscillator;
• a high resolution digital to analogue converter coupled to said voltage controlled oscillator;
• a digital phase lock loop circuit coupled to said digital to analogue convertor to provide oscillator control bits to said digital to analogue convertor to effectuate control of said voltage controlled oscillator, wherein said digital phase lock loop circuit provides said oscillator control bits in response to a monitored clock signal associated with an output of said voltage controlled oscillator;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to said digital to analogue convertor to provide oscillator control bits to said digital to analogue convertor to effectuate control of said voltage controlled oscillator, wherein said control circuit provides said oscillator control bits in response to a determination that said digital phase lock loop circuit is not able to provide desired frequency compensation results with respect to said voltage controlled oscillator.

An method of providing automatic frequency compensation comprising the steps of:

• providing a phase lock loop mode of operation to maintain frequency lock over a selected first range of frequency drift;
• providing a sweep mode of operation to step operation of said phase lock loop first range of frequency drift over a selected second range of frequency drift;
• and
• monitoring at least one of said phase lock loop mode of operation and said sweep mode of operation to determine a portion of said second range of frequency drift said first range is successfully able to maintain said frequency lock.