
ZL20250
Data Sheet
21
Zarlink Semiconductor Inc.
The UHF synthesizer also includes a fractional N capability which allows the use of higher comparison frequencies
but maintain narrow channel spacing. The use of higher comparison frequencies allows faster loop settling and
reduces comparison spur level. This is particularly important in TDMA mode where settling times of < 1.5 ms are
required and still obtain good spur performance.
Fractional N allows the use of non-integer divide ratios. For example if the total divide ratio is N + 1/5 the counter will
divide by N for 4 count cycles and N+1 on the fifth cycle giving the required total divide ratio over five cycles. The
ZL20250 can use 5,8,13 or 20 as the fractional denominator (also referred to as the fractional modulus) allowing
maximum flexibility in the choice of comparison frequencies.
An extra counter - fractional N counter - is required. The input to this counter is from the M counter output. The
fractional N modulus can be programmed to be 5,8,13, or 20. Each output pulse from the M counter will increment
the fractional N divided by the required fractional numerator. For example if the fraction is 2/5 then the fractional N
counter will increment by 2 for each output pulse from the M counter. When the fractional N counter overflows the A
counter is incremented by 1, thus generating an additional '+1' count sequence.
An example is shown in Figure 11 for a divide ratio of 596+2/5. The values for M, A, B are calculated using the integer
value (596) as in the previous example. The fractional denominator is programmed as 5 and the fractional numerator
as 2. At the end of the first count cycle (596) the fractional counter is incremented to 2. At the end of the third count
cycle the fractional N counter overflows, incrementing the A counter by 1 which gives a subsequent count cycle of
597. After five count cycles the sequence repeats with a total count of 2982 over the five count cycle giving a mean
value of 596 + 2/5.
Figure 11 - UHF Synthesizer - Fractional N Operation
A result of this count sequence is that the output phase of the total counter changes through the count cycle, which
causes the output pulse from the phase detector, and therefore the charge pump, to vary. This would cause large
fractional spurs on the synthesizer output. These spurs can be compensated by applying a current pulse with the
opposite polarity to the charge pump output. This compensation pulse has a fixed width of two reference clock
(TCXO) periods; the amplitude is proportional to the value in the fractional N counter. The correction current is scaled
by a 8 bit compensation DAC, with an externally provided input from the serial bus. This allows performance to be
optimized in a given application.
596
596
597
596
2
4
1
3
597
596
2
0
0
Total Count Cycle
Count Value
Fractional N
Counter
Initial A
Counter
Value
4
4
5
4
4
5