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Phase-locked loop

nounStandard termElectronics

A control system that generates an output signal whose phase is related to the phase of an input signal.

A closed-loop feedback circuit that synchronizes a local oscillator with an external reference signal. It consists of a phase detector, a low-pass filter, and a voltage-controlled oscillator. By constantly adjusting the oscillator to match the reference frequency and phase, it is heavily used for clock generation, frequency synthesis, and signal demodulation.

Heard on the job

We use a phase-locked loop to multiply the 10 MHz crystal reference up to the 2.4 GHz carrier frequency.

Also heard as

  • PLL

Related terms

VCO

A voltage-controlled oscillator is a circuit that changes its output frequency based on a DC input voltage.

Clock generator

A circuit or chip that produces the primary timing signals for a digital system.

Synthesizer

An instrument that generates precise, adjustable electronic signals for testing.

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