System, method and apparatus having improved pulse width modulation frequency resolution

Abstract

Using a combination of frequency dithering of a PWM counter and a variable time delay circuit yields improved PWM frequency resolution with realizable circuit components and clock operating frequencies. A controllable time delay circuit lengthens a PWM signal during the first PWM cycle. During the second PWM cycle, the PWM period is increased beyond the desired amount, but the delay is reduced during this second PWM cycle to achieve the correct (desired) PWM signal period. The dithering of the PWM signal period enables the time delay circuit to be “reset” so that an infinite delay circuit is not required. The time delay circuit provides short term (one cycle) frequency adjustment so that the resulting PWM cycle is not dithered and has a period at the desired frequency resolution.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.