Method and apparatus for generating multiple signals at multiple frequencies

An apparatus for producing a plurality of generated signals operating at a plurality of generated frequencies that are integer multiples of a reference frequency at which a reference signal operates, the apparatus comprising:

• a phase error detector coupled to the reference signal and coupled to a sampler signal operating at a sampler frequency and derived from a second generated signal, the phase error detector comprising a shared counter coupled to a first generated signal;
• a first phase lock loop coupled to the phase error detector for generating the first generated signal operating at a first frequency;
• and
• a second phase lock loop coupled to the phase error detector for simultaneously generating the second generated signal operating at a second frequency,
• wherein the shared counter counts transitions of the first generated signal, and
• wherein, coincident with a predetermined edge of the reference signal, the phase error detector produces a first count value representing a first phase correction signal for correcting the first frequency, and
• wherein the phase error detector further produces, coincident with a predetermined transition of the sampler signal, a second count value representing a second phase correction signal for correcting the second frequency.

A communication receiver, comprising:

• an antenna for intercepting a radio signal including a message;
• a receiver element coupled to the antenna for demodulating the message;
• a processor coupled to the receiver element for processing the message;
• a user control coupled to the processor for providing control of the communication receiver by a user;
• and
• a display coupled to the processor for displaying the message,
• wherein the receiver element includes:
• a reference oscillator for generating a reference signal operating at a reference frequency;
• and
• a frequency synthesizer for producing a plurality of generated signals operating at a plurality of generated frequencies that are integer multiples of the reference frequency, the frequency synthesizer comprising:
• a phase error detector coupled to the reference signal and coupled to a sampler signal operating at a sampler frequency and derived from a second generated signal, the phase error detector comprising a shared counter coupled to a first generated signal;
• a first phase lock loop coupled to the phase error detector for generating the first generated signal operating at a first frequency;
• and
• a second phase lock loop coupled to the phase error detector for simultaneously generating the second generated signal operating at a second frequency,
• wherein the shared counter counts transitions of the first generated signal, and
• wherein, coincident with a predetermined edge of the reference signal, the phase error detector produces a first count value representing a first phase correction signal for correcting the first frequency, and
• wherein the phase error detector further produces, coincident with a predetermined transition of the sampler signal, a second count value representing a second phase correction signal for correcting the second frequency.