Non-Integer Frequency Divider
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsUtku Seckin, Simone Gambini, Benjamin W. Cook
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A non-integer divider for dividing the frequency of a signal is disclosed. A non-integer divider includes a first divider that divides the frequency of a first signal. A mixer is coupled to receive the first signal, and a second signal having a frequency equivalent to that output by the first divider. The mixer outputs a third signal having a frequency based on respective frequencies of the first and second signal. A second divider receives and frequency divides the third signal to produce a fourth signal. A ratio of the frequency of the first signal to the fourth signal is a non-integer value.
Claims20
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first divider configured to divide a frequency of a first signal;
- a mixer having a first input configured to receive the first signal and a second input coupled to receive a second signal, wherein a frequency of the second signal is equivalent to a signal output by the first divider, wherein the mixer is configured to output a third signal having a frequency based on signals received at its first and second inputs;
- a filter configured to attenuate sideband components of the third signal;
- and
- a second divider configured to divide a frequency of the third signal to produce a fourth signal, wherein a ratio of the frequency of the first signal to a ratio of the fourth signal is a non-integer value.
A method comprising:
- dividing, using a first divider, a frequency of a first signal;
- providing the first signal to first input of a mixer and a second signal to a second input of the mixer, the second signal having a frequency equivalent to a signal output by the first divider;
- the mixer outputting a third signal having a frequency based on the first and second signals;
- and
- a second divider dividing a frequency of the third signal to produce a fourth signal, wherein a ratio of the frequency of the first signal to a frequency of the fourth signal is a non-integer value.
A system comprising:
- an oscillator configured to generate a first signal having a first frequency;
- a non-integer divider unit comprising circuitry configured to divide the first frequency by a non-integer value, wherein the non-integer divider unit includes:
- a first divider coupled to receive the first signal and configured to divide the first frequency to produce a second signal having a second frequency;
- a mixer having a first input coupled to receive the first signal and a second input coupled to receive the second signal, wherein the mixer is configured to output a third signal having a third frequency, wherein a frequency of the third signal is based on the first frequency and the second frequency;
- and
- a second divider coupled to receive the third signal and configured to divide the third frequency to produce a fourth signal having a fourth frequency, wherein a ratio of the first frequency to the fourth frequency is a non-integer value;
- and
- a power amplifier coupled to receive the fourth signal from the non-integer divider unit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.