A Low Jitter 1.6 GHz Multiplying DLL Utilizing a Scrambling Time-to-Digital Converter and Digital Correlation

Abstract

This paper presents a 1.6 GHz multiplying delay-locked loop (MDLL) that leverages time-to-digital conversion and a digital correlation technique to achieve low deterministic jitter while still maintaining low random jitter. A proposed time-to-digital converter consists of a ring oscillator that is gated on and off to accurately measure time and scramble the measurement's residual error. Using a 50 MHz reference, the prototype system has measured reference spurs less than -59 dBc and an overall measured jitter of 1.41 ps.