Stmicroelectronics S.r.l.

Andrea Cavarra

Giuseppe Palmisano

Giuseppe Papotto

Alessandro Parisi

Alessandro Finocchiaro

A circuit includes frequency multiplier circuitry having input nodes configured to receive an input signal and an anti-phase version thereof, the input signal having a first frequency value, wherein the frequency multiplier circuitry is configured to produce a current signal at a second frequency value that is an even multiple of the first frequency value and a transformer including a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the primary side comprises a primary inductance coupled to the frequency multiplier circuitry to receive the current signal therefrom, wherein the secondary side is configured to provide a frequency multiplied voltage signal, and wherein the frequency multiplier circuitry and the transformer are cascaded between at least one first node and a second node, the at least one first node and the second node couplable to a supply node and ground.

Frequency multiplier circuitry, corresponding system and vehicle

A flash analog-to-digital converter (ADC) receives an input control signal and performs coarse tuning of a frequency of an output signal, produced between first and second nodes having an inductance coupled therebetween. The flash ADC quantizes an operating frequency range for the output signal produced between the first and second nodes as M·Δf, where M is an integer from 0 to N−1, where N is a number of intervals into which a frequency range for the output signal is divided, and where Δf is a resulting frequency step produced by the quantizing. The value of M is generated based upon the input control signal and a word controlling switches of a plurality of switched capacitance circuits associated with the first and second nodes to close ones of those switches associated with the control word to coarsely tune the frequency of the output signal.

Oscillator circuit, corresponding radar sensor, vehicle and method of operation

A PLL has a tunable resonator including an inductance and variable capacitance coupled between first and second nodes, and capacitances coupleable between the nodes. A control node is coupled to the variable capacitance and receives a control signal for tuning the resonator. A biasing circuit biases the resonator to generate an output. A PFD circuit senses timing offset of the output with respect to a reference and asserts first or second digital signals dependent on the sign of the timing offset. A charge pump generates the control signal based on the first and second digital signals. A timer asserts a timing signal in response to a pulse sensed in a reset signal and de-asserts the timing signal after a time interval. A calibrator couples selected capacitances between the first and second nodes as a function of the second digital signal, in response to assertion of the timing signal.

Phase-locked loop circuit, corresponding radar sensor, vehicle and method of operation

Disclosed herein is a tunable resonant circuit including an inductance directly electrically connected in series between first and second nodes, a variable capacitance directly electrically connected between the first and second nodes, and a set of switched capacitances coupled between the first and second nodes. The set of switched capacitances includes a plurality of capacitance units, each capacitance unit comprising a first capacitance for that capacitance unit directly electrically connected between the first node and a switch and a second capacitance for the capacitance unit directly electrically connected between the switch and the second node. Control circuitry is configured to receive an input control signal and connected to control the switches of the set of switched capacitances. A biasing circuit is directly electrically connected to the tunable resonance circuit at the first and second nodes.

A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) includes: a pair of inductors coupled in series; a first pair of varactors coupled in series, and a second pair of varactors coupled in series. A first common mode node is between the respective varactors of the first pair of varactors and a second common mode node is between the respective varactors of the second pair of varactors. A supply voltage node is switchably coupled to the first common mode node through a first switch, the supply voltage node being a node located between the pair of inductors. A control voltage node (V) is switchably coupled to the second common mode node through a second switch.

Voltage-controlled oscillator and method for using the same

An oscillator includes a tunable resonant circuit having an inductance and a variable capacitance coupled between first and second nodes, and a set of capacitances selectively coupleable between the first and second nodes. An input control node receiving an input control signal is coupled to the variable capacitance and set of capacitances. The tunable resonant circuit is tunable based on the input control signal. A biasing circuit biases the tunable resonant circuit to generate a variable-frequency output signal between the first and second nodes. A voltage divider generates a set of different voltage thresholds, and a set of comparator circuits with hysteresis compares the input control signal to the set of different voltage thresholds to generate a set of control signals. The capacitances in the set of capacitances are selectively coupleable between the first and second nodes as a function of control signals in the set of control signals.

Growing community of inventors

Catania, Italy

Andrea Cavarra