What is Frequency Synthesizer:

A frequency synthesizer is an electronic circuit or device used to

generate precise frequencies with high stability and accuracy. It's
commonly used in various applications such as telecommunications,
radio communication, radar systems, and test equipment.

Frequency synthesizers typically consist of a phase-locked loop (PLL)

or a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) circuit, which generates an
output signal at the desired frequency by combining and manipulating
Overview of the Frequency Synthesizer:

A frequency synthesizer is an electronic circuit that generates stable

and precise frequencies across a wide range using frequency
multiplication, division, and mixing techniques. It's a fundamental
component in various communication systems, test equipment, and
instrumentation where precise frequency control is crucial.

Here's an overview of how a frequency synthesizer typically works:

1. **Reference Oscillator**: The synthesizer starts with a stable

reference oscillator, usually a quartz crystal oscillator, which
generates a fixed frequency signal.

2. **Phase-Locked Loop (PLL)**: The heart of most frequency

synthesizers is a PLL. The PLL compares the reference frequency to a
divided-down version of the output frequency and adjusts the output
frequency until it matches the reference. This feedback loop ensures
stable and accurate frequency generation.

3. **Frequency Divider**: The output of the PLL is often divided

down to achieve the desired output frequency. This division can be
done digitally or with analog techniques.

4. **Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO)**: The frequency of the

VCO is controlled by a voltage input. The PLL adjusts this voltage to
control the VCO's frequency and lock it to the desired output
frequency.
5. **Phase Detector**: The phase detector compares the phase of the
reference signal and the divided output signal from the VCO. It
generates an error signal that drives the voltage-controlled oscillator
to minimize the phase difference.

6. **Loop Filter**: The loop filter smoothens and filters the error
signal from the phase detector to provide a stable control voltage for
the VCO.

7. **Output Buffer**: The final output signal from the VCO is

buffered to provide the required output power and impedance
matching.

Frequency synthesizers offer several advantages:

- **Frequency Agility**: They can quickly switch between

frequencies, making them suitable for applications like frequency
hopping spread spectrum systems.
- **High Accuracy**: They provide precise frequency control,
essential for applications such as radio communication and signal
processing.
- **Compactness**: Modern synthesizers can integrate many
functions onto a single chip, reducing the size and complexity of the
overall system.

Frequency synthesizers find applications in various fields, including

telecommunications, radar systems, wireless networks, satellite
communications, and scientific research. They play a crucial role in
modern communication systems by providing stable and
programmable frequencies for data transmission and reception.
Principle of Basic Frequency Synthesizer:

A phase locked loop is a feedback control system. It compares the

phases of two input signals and produces an error signal that is
proportional to the difference between their phases. The error signal is
then low pass filtered and used to drive a voltage-controlled
oscillator (VCO) which creates an output frequency. The output
frequency is fed through a frequency divider back to the input of the
system, producing a negative feedback loop. If the output frequency
drifts, the phase error signal will increase, driving the frequency in the
opposite direction so as to reduce the error. Thus the output
is locked to the frequency at the other input. This other input is called
the reference and is usually derived from a crystal oscillator, which is
very stable in frequency. The block diagram below shows the basic
elements and arrangement of a PLL based frequency synthesizer.

Block diagram of a common type of PLL synthesizer.

The key to the ability of a frequency synthesizer to generate multiple

frequencies is the divider placed between the output and the feedback
input. This is usually in the form of a digital counter, with the output
signal acting as a clock signal. The counter is preset to some initial
count value, and counts down at each cycle of the clock signal. When
it reaches zero, the counter output changes state and the count value is
reloaded. This circuit is straightforward to implement using flip-flops,
and because it is digital in nature, is very easy to interface to other
digital components or a microprocessor. This allows the frequency
output by the synthesizer to be easily controlled by a digital system.
Uses of frequency Synthesizer

Many PLL frequency synthesizers can also generate frequency

modulation (FM). The modulating signal is added to the output of the
loop filter, directly varying the frequency of the VCO and the
synthesizer output. The modulation will also appear at the phase
comparator output, reduced in amplitude by any frequency division.
Any spectral components in the modulating signal too low to be
blocked by the loop filter end up back at the VCO input with opposite
polarity to the modulating signal, thus cancelling them out. (The loop
effectively sees these components as VCO noise to be tracked out.)
Modulation components above the loop filter cutoff frequency cannot
return to the VCO input so they remain in the VCO output. This
simple scheme therefore cannot directly handle low frequency (or
DC) modulating signals but this is not a problem in the many AC-
coupled video and audio FM transmitters that use this method. Such
signals may also be placed on a subcarrier above the cutoff frequency
of the PLL loop filter.
PLL frequency synthesizers can also be modulated at low frequency
and down to DC by using two-point modulation to overcome the
above limitation. Modulation is applied to the VCO as before, but
now is also applied digitally to the synthesizer in sympathy with the
analog FM signal using a fast delta sigma ADC.
Conclusion:

In conclusion, frequency synthesizers play a crucial role in modern

electronic systems by providing a versatile means of generating stable
and precise frequencies. Whether it's for wireless communication,
radar systems, test equipment, or many other applications, frequency
synthesizers offer the ability to generate a wide range of frequencies
efficiently.

Key points to remember about frequency synthesizers are:

 They use an oscillator as a reference frequency source.

 They can generate a range of frequencies by dividing or
multiplying the reference frequency.
 They are essential for applications requiring stable and accurate
frequency generation.
 Different types of synthesizers exist, including direct analog,
direct digital, and phase-locked loop synthesizers.
References:
1. Popiel-Gorski (1975, p. 25)
2. ^ Egan (2000, pp. 14–27)
3. ^ Egan (2000, pp. 372–376)
4. ^ Xiu, Liming (2008). "The concept of time-average-
frequency and mathematical analysis of flying-adder
frequency synthesis architecture". IEEE Circuits and
Systems Magazine. 8 (3): 27–
51. doi:10.1109/mcas.2008.928421. ISSN 1531-
636X. S2CID 21809964.
5. ^ Xiu, Liming (2012). Nanometer frequency synthesis
beyond the phase-locked loop. Hoboken: John Wiley &
Sons. ISBN 978-1-118-34795-9. OCLC 797919764.
6. ^ Xiu, Liming (2015). From frequency to time-average-
frequency : a paradigm shift in the design of electronic
system. New York: IEEE Press. ISBN 978-1-119-10217-
5. OCLC 908075308.
Index:

What is Frequency Synthesizer

Overview of Frequency Synthesizer
Principle of Frequency Synthesizer
Uses of Frequency Synthesizer
Conclusion
References