Multiple PLL System with Pairwise Phase Difference Regulation

A pairwise phase difference regulation system comprising:

• first and second Phase Locked Loops (PLL) each comprising a controlled oscillator configured to generate an output periodic signal that is phase-locked to a reference periodic signal, in response to a reference tracking feedback loop;
• a first phase difference detector configured to receive a first periodic signal from the first PLL and a second periodic signal from the second PLL, and output one or more error signals representing a deviation from a targeted phase difference between the first and second periodic signals, and identifying which of the first and second periodic signals leads in phase;
• wherein each of the first and second PLLs is configured to control its oscillator in response to both the one or more error signals representing a phase difference between the first and second periodic signals and its reference tracking feedback loop;
• whereby the first phase difference detector and first and second PLLs form a pairwise phase difference feedback loop operative to minimize a deviation from a targeted phase difference between the output periodic signals of the first and second PLLs.

User Equipment (UE) operative in a wireless communication network, the UE including one or more transceiver circuits comprising:

• first and second Phase Locked Loops, PLL, each comprising a controlled oscillator configured to generate an output periodic signal that is phase-locked to a reference periodic signal, in response to a reference tracking feedback loop;
• a first phase difference detector configured to receive a first periodic signal from the first PLL and a second periodic signal from the second PLL, and output one or more error signals representing a deviation from a targeted phase difference between the first and second periodic signals, and identifying which of the first and second periodic signals leads in phase;
• wherein each of the first and second PLLs is configured to control its oscillator in response to both the one or more error signals representing a phase difference between the first and second periodic signals and its reference tracking feedback loop;
• whereby the first phase difference detector and first and second PLLs form a pairwise phase difference feedback loop operative to minimize a deviation from a targeted phase difference between the output periodic signals (OUT) of the first and second PLLs.

A base station, operative in a wireless communication network, the base station including one or more transceiver circuits comprising:

• first and second Phase Locked Loops (PLL) each comprising a controlled oscillator configured to generate an output periodic signal that is phase-locked to a reference periodic signal, in response to a reference tracking feedback loop;
• a first phase difference detector configured to receive a first periodic signal from the first PLL and a second periodic signal from the second PLL, and output one or more error signals representing a deviation from a targeted phase difference between the first and second periodic signals, and identifying which of the first and second periodic signals leads in phase;
• wherein each of the first and second PLLs is configured to control its oscillator in response to both the one or more error signals representing a phase difference between the first and second periodic signals and its reference tracking feedback loop;
• whereby the first phase difference detector and first and second PLLs form a pairwise phase difference feedback loop operative to minimize a deviation from a targeted phase difference between the output periodic signals of the first and second PLLs.