A 1–2 GHz Computational-Locking ADPLL With Sub-20-Cycle Locktime Across PVT Variation

This paper proposes computational locking (C-lock) in all-digital phase-locked loops (PLLs) to achieve rapid frequency and phase lock acquisition. The proposed approach employs a “lock-accelerator” module that accelerates lock-times (Tlock) in both cold-start (PLL power-up) and re-lock scenarios without impacting steady-state PLL performance. The key premise underlying C-lock is that solving a system of accurate phase-frequency update equations at run-time provides superior lock performance compared to traditional PLLs that rely on linear feedback control. C-lock is readily amenable to runtime adaptation to Process, Voltage, and Temperature (PVT) variation. A 1-2 GHz computationally locked PLL was implemented in a 65-nm standard CMOS process. Measurements over 50000 iterations of re-lock and cold-start experiments across multiple test-chips, supply-voltage (Vdd), and operating temperatures indicate a mean re-lock time of 12 PLL reference clock cycles (12T
_REFCLK
), and a “cold-start” T
_lock
of 16T
_REFCLK
. Although the silicon demonstration of C-lock is based on a PLL designed for system clocking applications, the proposed approach is applicable to a broader class of PLLs.