Method and apparatus for reducing power consumption

Abstract

A phase locked loop circuit is provided. The phase locked loop circuit is comprised of a first and second divide-by-N counter, a phase comparator, a voltage controlled oscillator, a clock tree, and a feedback path. The first divide-by-N counter is adapted to receive a first clock signal and provide a second clock signal. The phase comparator has a first and second input terminal and an output terminal. The phase comparator is adapted to compare the phase of signals applied to the first and second input terminals and deliver a signal at the output terminal having a magnitude indicative of a difference in the phases of the signals. The first input terminal is coupled to receive the second clock signal. The voltage controlled oscillator is coupled to receive the phase difference signal and deliver a third clock signal having a frequency responsive thereto. The second divide-by-N counter is coupled to receive the third clock signal and deliver a fourth clock signal. The clock tree is coupled to receive the third clock signal and deliver at least one fourth clock signal. The feedback path is coupled to deliver the fourth clock signal to the second input terminal of the phase comparator.