The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 23, 2000
Filed:
May. 28, 1998
Pierre Genest, Butry Sur Oise, FR;
Alcatel, Paris, FR;
Abstract
The invention relates to a frequency divider of the type comprising a prescaler followed by a programmable counter, and serving to divide by an overall division ratio D that can be written D=k.N+A. The prescaler operates with a pair of division ratios k/k+1, and includes means for changing from the higher division ratio k+1 to the lower division ratio k as a function of a modulus control signal. N is a first predetermined programmable value corresponding to the division ratio of the programmable counter. A is a second predetermined programmable value such that on being reached by the programmable counter, the prescaler receives the modulus control signal. The following is true: 0.ltoreq.A<N. According to the invention, the prescaler has at least two successive pairs of division ratios p/p+1,p+1/p+2, p+2/p+3, etc., and includes selection means for dynamically selecting one of the pairs as a function of a selection signal, the selected pair constituting the operating pair k/k+1. The selection signal depends on the overall division ratio D that the frequency divider is to apply.