Method of correcting the phase difference between two input signals of a phase-locked loop and associated device

A phase-locked loop device comprising:

• two inputs for receiving two input signals;
• a charge pump having two opposing currents flowing therein, said charge pump connected between said two inputs;
• a filter;
• a calibrator, activated by an activation signal and deactivated by a deactivation signal, for equalizing an output voltage of the charge pump with an input voltage of the filter and amplitudes of the two opposing currents flowing in the charge pump;
• and
• a controller comprising
• a delay cell for delivering two delayed signals based upon the two input signals,
• a control circuit for delivering, respectively and successively, and in the presence of the two delayed signals, two interruption signals to the charge pump to cause respective, successive interruptions of the two opposing currents, and
• an activation/deactivation unit for delivering the activation signal prior to each occurrence of a first one of the two input signals, and the deactivation signal following the interruptions.

A phase-locked loop device comprising:

• two inputs for receiving two input signals;
• a charge pump having two opposing currents flowing therein, said charge pump connected between said two inputs;
• a filter;
• a calibrator, activated by an activation signal and deactivated by a deactivation signal, the calibrator for equalizing an output voltage of the charge pump with an input voltage of the filter and amplitudes of the two opposing currents flowing in the charge pump;
• said calibrator comprising
• an amplifier having positive and negative inputs are respectively connected to an output node of the charge pump, to an input of the filter, and a first switch controlled by the activation signal;
• and
• a controller comprising
• a delay cell having two distinct modules for generating two different delays for each of the input signals, and for delivering two delayed signals based upon the two input signals,
• a control circuit for delivering, respectively and successively, and in the presence of the two delayed signals, two interruption signals to the charge pump to cause respective, successive interruptions of the two opposing currents, and
• an activation/deactivation unit for delivering the activation signal prior to each occurrence of a first of the two input signals, and the deactivation signal following the interruptions.

A method for correcting a phase difference between a first input signal and a second input signal of a phase-locked loop including a charge pump connected to a filter, the method comprising:

• carrying out a calibration phase prior to an occurrence of at least one of the first input signal and the second input signal in which an input of the filter is disconnected from an output of the charge pump, an output voltage from the charge pump is equalized with an input voltage of the filter, and amplitudes of two opposing currents flowing in the charge pump are equalized;
• reconnecting the input of the filter to the output of the charge pump during two respective occurrences of the first input signal and the second input signal;
• and
• generating a first delay signal and a second delay signal that are delayed with respect to the first input signal and the second input signal, in response to which the two opposing currents are successively interrupted, respectively, before the calibration phase is recommenced.