This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-166634, filed Jun. 25, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field
One embodiment of the invention related to a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit for use in an optical disk drive etc. More specifically, the invention relates to a digital PLL circuit which performs processing such as a phase comparison and a loop filter.
2. Description of the Related Art
A PLL circuit has been used for transmitting a signal with a frequency in accurate synchronization with a reproduced signal from an optical disk such as a CD and a DVD. In recent years, as progress of digital LSI, a digital PLL circuit has been widely used.
The PLL circuit detects a phase difference between an input signal and an output signal, and generates a signal in synchronization with the input signal by applying feedback control. Therefore, various techniques have been developed so as to generate a synchronous signal with high precision even if the input signal is fluctuated.
The technique disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2004-235858 converts an analog signal into a digital signal to achieve equalization, obtains an effective gain from the equalized data, and absorbs the fluctuations in effective gain by using a reverse characteristic effective gain to be a reverse characteristic of the effective gain.
A general architecture that implements the various feature of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are proved to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention.
Various embodiments according to the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The PLL circuit of the first embodiment of the invention is used, for example, for an optical disk reproduction apparatus.
In
A pick-up head PUH reproduces a signal corresponding to the information recorded on the medium D, and includes a laser light source irradiating laser light to the medium D and a light receiving unit (not depicted) receiving the laser light reflected from the medium D. The reproduced signal output from the light receiving unit is amplified by a preamplifier, further passes though a pre-waveform-equalization unit, and becomes a reproduced RF signal.
Meanwhile, however; the reproduced RF signal is further applied a variety types of processing in a latter stage, a clock signal in synchronization with the reproduced RF signal is needed for processing the reproduced RF signal in the latter stage. To generate the clock signal, the reproduced signal is input to a phase comparison control device 1 equipped with a digital PLL circuit.
The phase comparison control device 1 includes composed of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 2, a digital PLL circuit 3, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 4 and a voltage control oscillator (VOC) 5. The PLL circuit 3 includes a phase comparator 6 and a loop filter 7.
The ADC 2 samples the reproduced signal synchronously with the clock signal from the VCO 5 to convert the sampled data into a digital RF signal. The phase comparator 6 compares the phase of the digital RF signal with that of the clock signal from the VCO 5 to output a phase error signal PE. The loop filter 7 generates a signal to control the VCO 5 on the basis of the phase error signal PE output from the phase comparator 6. The DAC 4 converts the control signal from the loop filter 7 into an analog signal. The VCO 5 controls the frequency of the clock signal by the analog signal from the DAC 4. The VCO 5 outputs the clock signal to the ADC 2.
The phase comparator 6 includes a phase error detection unit 10, a pulse doubler unit 11 and a phase shifter sensitivity adjusting unit 12. The loop filter 7 includes a loop filter adjusting unit 13, an integrator 14, a loop filter adjusting unit 15 and an adder 16.
A principle role of the loop filter 7 is to increase a DC gain without changing the gain of a high bandwidth loop of a feedback loop. The loop filter 7 shown in
In general, it is supposed that the characteristics of input waves vary according to each kind of optical disks. Therefore, the relationships between the phase error detection values output from each phase error detection unit and the phase differences are not decided uniquely and adjustment is needed in response to situations. Thus, the phase comparator 6 shown in
The following will describe operations of the digital PLL circuit 3.
The digital RF signal is input in the phase error detection unit 10 of the phase comparator 6. The phase error detection unit 10 compares between the phases of the digital RF signal that is the sample value of the ADC 2 and of the clock signal from the VCO 5 to output the phase error signal PE as a pulse signal. The pulse width (time width) of the output pulse signal is expanded twice by the pulse doubler unit 11. The phase shifter sensitivity adjusting unit 12 amplifies its pulse strength (amplitude).
Here, the adjustment gain G1 of the phase shifter sensitivity adjusting unit 12 is expressed by a formula (1).
G1=1/2×Kadj (1)
Then, the phase error signal PE output from the phase comparator 6 is input in the loop filter 7. The loop filter 7 branches the phase error signal PE into two routes. The pulse strength (amplitude) of one branched phase error signal PE is amplified by the loop filter adjusting unit 13, and after this, the amplified error signal PE is input in the integrator 14. Here, the adjustment gain G2 of the loop filter adjusting unit 13 is expressed by a formula (2).
G2=Kc (2)
The phase error signal PE is converted into a control signal corresponding to an integral operation (I operation) by passing through the aforementioned route.
The pulse strength (amplitude) of the other phase error signal PE is amplified by the loop filter adjusting unit 15. Here, the adjustment gain G3 of the loop filter adjusting unit 15 is expressed by a formula (3).
G3=Kr (3)
The phase error signal PE is converted into a control signal corresponding to a proportional operation (P operation) by passing through the aforementioned route.
The two control signals are added by the adder 16 to be a control signal for the VCO 5 and output from the digital PLL circuit 3.
Like this, the phase comparison control device using the digital PLL circuit 3 of the embodiment controls the phase error by means of PI (proportional and integral operation) control.
While the digital PLL circuit 3 in
The phase comparator 6 may adapts well known various phase error detection systems. For instance, a system which performs feedback control so that the amplitude at a crossing point becomes just zero by detecting a zero-cross phase, a system which controls the feedback so as to intersect with a zero level at a just intermediate point of sampling points, and a system which obtains a phase error from inclination to an equalization error at a viterbi-decoding input time point depending on a viterbi-decoding result may be adapted to the phase comparator 6.
Further, while
A response characteristic of the digital PLL circuit 3 of the embodiment will be described hereinafter.
A transfer function TF1 at a first term expresses the transfer function of the pulse doubler unit 11. Since the pulse signal has a time width over two sampling periods as a result of pulse doubling, an element (Z−1) indicating that the pulse signal is a pulse which is past by one sampling period is added.
A transfer function TF2 at a second term expresses a composite transfer function of the phase shifter sensitivity adjustment unit 12, the loop filter adjusting unit 13, the integrator 14, the loop filter adjusting unit 15 and the adder 16.
A composite transfer function Tfi of the loop filter adjusting unit 13 and the integrator 14 is expressed by a formula (4).
Accordingly, a composite transfer function Tfpi of the loop filter 7 with the loop filter adjusting unit 15 and the adder 16 added therein is expressed by a formula (5).
Tfpi=Kr+Kc×Z
−1/(1−Z−1) (5)
When a constant KC and a constant KR are defined by the formulas (6), (7), respectively, the transfer function FF2 is expressed by a formula (8).
KC=Kc×Kadj (6)
KR=Kr×Kadj (7)
TF2=1/2×KR+1/2×KC×Z−1/(1−Z−1) (8)
The conventional PLL circuit 103 includes the phase comparator 106 and the loop filter 107. The phase comparator 106 is provided with the phase error detection unit 110 and the phase shifter sensitivity adjusting unit 12. The Loop filter 107 includes a loop filter adjusting unit 113, an integrator 114, a loop filter adjusting unit 115 and an adder 116.
As compared with the conventional digital PLL circuit 103, the digital PLL circuit 3 of the embodiment differs in newly having a pulse doubler unit 11 and in reducing by half the adjustment gain of the phase shifter sensitivity adjusting unit 12.
In other words, the PLL circuit 3 of the embodiment is configured to add a function of expanding the phase comparator output to be usually pulse-output as the phase shifter sensitivity adjustment to the pulse of a two-pulse width. Since the loop gain may be doubled by the additional function part, even if the adjustment gain of the phase shifter sensitivity adjusting unit 12 is reduced by half, the whole of the PLL circuit 3 may maintain the gain with almost the same level as that of the conventional PLL circuit 103. Since the adjustment gain of the phase shifter sensitivity adjusting unit 12 may be reduced by half, it becomes able to reduce a dynamic range of the input in the loop filter 107.
The transfer function TF3 expresses a composite transfer function of the phase shifter sensitivity adjusting unit 112, the loop filter adjusting unit 113, the integrator 114, the loop filter adjusting unit 115 and the adder 116.
Since each element of the transfer function TF3 uses the same variable identifier as that of the aforementioned transfer function TF2, and the procedure to obtain the transfer function TF3 is the same as that of the aforementioned transfer function TF2, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The response performance of the PLL circuit 3 of the embodiment and the conventional PLL circuit 103 will be described.
According to the frequency characteristics, there is no difference in characteristic between the digital PLL circuit 3 and the digital PLL circuit 103 in a band with a low frequency. Namely, in the case in which a band of a control system loop in a band with a sufficiently low frequency in comparison with an operation clock frequency of the ADC 2 that is a sample frequency may be set, both the PLL circuits 3, 103 may realize characteristics substantially equal to each other.
Meanwhile, as the band shifts to a high bandwidth, the characteristic of the digital PLL circuit 3 deteriorates in comparison with that of the conventional digital PLL circuit 103. However, it is incorrect to determine that the digital PLL circuit 3 may not be used in a high bandwidth. As long as the band is within a frequency range to be acceptable for use in a phase comparison control device, the digital PLL circuit 3 may utilize the high bandwidth by trading off with a reduction in dynamic range.
(First Variation)
The on/off of the pulse doubler function is controlled by an on/off control signal from a host controller disposed in firmware (not shown). The on/off of the pulse doubler function may be configured to be switched by setting, and to be dynamically controlled by the host controller. Hardware may actualize the dynamic switching by using a state machine or the like.
For processing the reproduced signal from the optical disk, the control method is switched between a phase (pulling-in phase) which emphasizes pulling-in performance and a phase (following phase) which emphasizes following performance such as a reduction in jitter.
In the pulling-in phase, as shown in FIG. 9(1), the phase error varies significantly. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9(2), in the pulling-in phase, the loop gain is enhanced so as to improve the response. In the following phase the variation in phase error is small, as shown in FIG. 9(2). Therefore, in the following phase, the loop gain is reduced in order to reduce the jitter instead of pursuing the response, as shown in FIG. 9(2).
Thus, as shown in FIG. 9(3), for gain switching in the pulling-in phase and the following phase, to pursue a high gain in response to a need for the pulling-in phase, the loop gain is enhanced by turning on the pulse doubler function. In contrast, in the following phase, the loop gain is switched to a low loop gain by turning off the pulse doubler function. Acknowledging stability detection of a SYNC pattern included in the reproduction wave form executes the switching of the control between the pulling-in phase and the following phase. Using the firmware of the hardware of the state machine may actualize this switching.
The switching control of the pulse doubler function is not limited to the foregoing pulling-in phase and the following phase. In a phase needing a high loop gain, the switching control may enable the use of the pulse doubler function, and in a phase not needing the high loop gain, the switching control may disable the pulse doubler function.
A method of determining whether the pulse doubler function should be enabled or disabled will be described.
In Block S01, the pulling-in phase firstly sets the pulse doubler function disabled to start calibration of the digital PLL circuit 3. Here, the calibration is executed by measuring operations of the PLL circuit 3 under the combination of, for example, a plurality of reproduced signals in the pulling-in phase and a plurality of loop gains.
In Block S02, under the loop gain of a certain level, the calibration of the PLL circuit 3 is executed until a calibration period will end.
If YES in Block S02, namely, the calibration ends under the loop gain of the a certain level, the pulling-in phase checks whether or not the PLL circuit 3 may bring out prescribed performance for the reproduction signal in the pulling-in phase in Block S03.
If YES in Block S03, namely, if the PLL circuit 3 may bring out the prescribed performance, desired performance may be achieved without having to use the pulse doubler function. Therefore, the pulling-in phase decides to set the pulse doubler function ineffective and end the processing in Block S04.
If NO in Block S03, namely, the PLL circuit 3 may not bring out the prescribed performance, the pulling-in phase checks whether or not the calibration is performed for the loop gains of all the levels in Block S05.
If NO in Block S05, namely if there are loop gains which have not been used in the calibration, the setting of the loop gains are changed to start the calibration in Block S06. The pulling-in phase returns to Block S02 to execute the aforementioned Blocks again.
If YES in Block S05, namely, the calibration is executed for the loop gains of all the levels, the pulse doubler function is set effective to start the calibration of the PLL circuit 3 in Block S11. This calibration is executed by measuring operations of the PLL circuit 3 under the combination of the plurality of reproduced signals in the pulling-in phase and the plurality of loop gains as given above.
In Block S12, the pulling-in phase implements the calibration for the PLL circuit 3 under the loop gains of a certain level until the calibration period will end.
If YES in Block S12, namely, the calibration ends under the loop gains in a certain level, the pulling-in phase checks whether or not the PLL circuit 3 may bring out the prescribed performance for the reproduction signal in the pulling-in phase in Block S13.
If YES in Block S13, namely, the PLL circuit 3 may bring out the prescribed performance, the desired performance may be obtained by utilizing the pulse doubler function. Therefore, in Block S14, the pulling-in phase determines to set the pulse doubler function effective and ends the processing.
If NO in Block S13, namely, if the digital PLL circuit 3 may not bring out the prescribed performance, it is checked whether the calibration has been executed for the loop gains of all the levels in Block S15.
If NO in Block S15, namely, there are some loop gains which have not been used in the calibration, the pilling-in phase changes the setting of the loop gains to start the calibration in Block S16. Then, the pulling-in phase returns to Block S12 to start the aforementioned Blocks again.
If NO in Block S15, namely, if the calibration has been executed in the loop gains of all the levels, it is expressed that the desired performance may not be achieved in all the used loop gains. Therefore, the pulling-in phase outputs an error to end the processing.
The given scheme of the calibration in the flowchart may appropriately replace with a procedure to adjust the PLL circuit 3. For instance, the scheme may be replaced by a gain setting procedure in evaluating actual devices or an adjustment procedure in shipping from a factory.
(Second Variation)
Among the frequency characteristics shown in
G4=2×G1=Kadj (9)
At this time, the clip unit 18 may be disposed on an output side of the adjusting unit 17. By preventing the control output from becoming larger than a prescribed value to limit a dynamic range, the clip unit 18 guarantees an reduction in a circuit size and an improvement of an operation speed.
(Third Variation)
Ordinarily, the path of the proportional term is used in the off of the pulse doubler function, and when an influence occurs by limiting the dynamic range of the proportional term of clip processing etc. in setting a high gain, the pulse doubler function is tuned on and the PLL circuit 3 tries to set a gain by half. In this case, the PLL circuit 3 is brought in trade-off between an influence of suppression on upper and lower limit values caused by clipping and an influence of phase delay caused by pulse doubling; however the PLL circuit 3 may select the case of achieving larger performance.
The pulse doubling processing will be described in detail.
For realizing the pulse doubling, there is a need to consider the case in which original phase error output pulses generate consecutively, as a result of continuous detection of phase errors. Here, it is assumed that a system which uses a value close to zero when ADC sample values crosses zero as a phase error detection value for a phase error detection system.
Continuous phase error detection is performed in the case in which the frequency error of the clock for reproduction is large to the reproduced wave form of the optical disk. Ordinarily, the frequency of the clock for reproduction is controlled and the control operation of the PLL is executed after the frequency error of the PLL is made so small as to fall into a capture range of the PLL.
Then, although zero cross generates by two clocks for reproduction, the continuous phase error detection is limited to the case in which the error detection has been processed in a situation of existence of some frequency errors. In other words, the continuous phase error detection is limited to the case in which the zero cross generates to the wave form part of the shortest period 2 T in the reproduced wave forms and the case in which the frequency of the clock for reproduction is low. Since this generation frequency is low, there is little possibility of elicitation of the continuous phase error detection as a performance difference without having to configure the pulse doubler processing unit by strictly taking the case of phase error detection is performed consecutively.
FIG. 13(1) shows a circuit configuration of the pulse doubler, and FIG. 13(2) shows its signal processing example.
In the pulse doubler circuit outputs an addition result for a part at which detection value outputs are overlapped by pulse doubling. Therefore, a clip circuit may be disposed in order to limit the dynamic rage of the phase error output.
FIG. 14(1) shows another circuit configuration of the pulse doubler, and FIG. 14(2) shows an example of its signal processing.
The pulse doubler circuit makes one-pulse extension, and outputs the first pulse output to extend to the sequence number+one pulse in the case when the pulses has sequence numbers.
Further, a variety of variations as pulse doubler circuits are possible approaches.
For instance, only the first pulse of the sequential pulses may be processed. The feedback control of the detection error in the case of detection for a short period may not be performed.
It is our intention that the invention be not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein, and in an implementation phase, this invention may be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept thereof. Various types of the invention can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the foregoing embodiments. Some of the elements, for example, may be omitted from the whole of the constituent elements shown in the embodiments mentioned above. Further, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.
While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2007-166634 | Jun 2007 | JP | national |