Phase-Lock Loop Jump Phenomenon in the Presence of Two Signals

Jump phenomena are known to exist in many non-linear systems [I], [2], [3]. The non-linear analysis presented in this paper explains and predicts the conditions for the jump phenomenon that is observed in a phase-locked loop (PLL) preceded by an automatic gain control (AGC). The jump phenomenon occurs when the frequency separation AM of two sinusoids at the input to the AGC is greater than the bandwidth B of the linearized PLL. If the loop is initially locked to the stronger signal, the weaker signal will frequency-modulate the PLL voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) with a modulation frequency AI. The amplitude S2 of the weaker signal al can be increased until it becomes greater than the amplitude Si of the signal being tracked, without causing the loop to lose lock; i. e., the VCO continues to track the original signal. However, if the ratio of the amplitudes S2 S1 = R is increased above some critical value RC > 1, the loop will lose lock on the original signal, and jump to track the interfering signal. If the frequency separation is at least twice the PLL bandwidth, a good approximation for this critical ratio is Rc ≅ Δw/B.