Phase locked loop having automatic-input tuning and phase control

Abstract

An automatic phase-controlled oscillator circuit for producing an output clocking signal whose phase and frequency vary with those of an input information signal applied thereto comprises an input circuit for receiving the input information signal; a variable-frequency tuning circuit for receiving a control signal and coupled to the input circuit for tuning on the basis of the frequency of the control signal to pass the information signal as a tuned signal; and a clocking signal generator, such as a phase-locked loop circuit, for providing the output clocking signal in dependence upon the phase of the tuned signal. The invention is favorably applied to a digital video tape recorder (DVTR) wherein the information signal is a digital signal reproduced from a tape as a result of relative motion between the tape and the DVTR, and the control signal is also reproduced from the tape to represent such relative motion. The oscillator circuit also preferably includes a phase comparator providing an error signal representing the phase difference as between the input information signal and the output clocking signal, and a phase adjuster, such as a variable delay line, responsive to the error signal.