Frequency Detector

The digital frequency detector (FD) aids frequency

acquisition during start-up conditions. The frequency

difference between the received data and the VCO

clock is derived by sampling the in-phase and quadra-

ture VCO outputs on the rising edge of the data input

signal. Depending on the polarity of the frequency dif-

ference, the FD drives the VCO until the frequency dif-

ference is reduced to zero. Once frequency acquisition

is complete, the FD returns to a neutral state. False

locking is completely eliminated by this digital frequen-

cy detector.

Loop Filter and VCO

The phase detector and frequency detector outputs are

is required to set the PLL damping ratio. See Design

Procedure for guidelines on selecting this capacitor.

The loop filter output controls the on-chip LC VCO run-

ning at 2.488GHz. The VCO provides low-phase noise

and is trimmed to the correct frequency. Clock jitter

width of 12kHz to 20MHz.

Loss-of-Lock Monitor

A loss-of-lock (LOL) monitor is incorporated in the

MAX3876 frequency detector. A loss-of-lock condition

is signaled immediately with a TTL low. When the PLL is

frequency locked, LOL switches to TTL high in approxi-

mately 800ns.

Note: The LOL monitor is valid only when a data stream

is present on the inputs to the MAX3876. As a result,

LOL does not detect a loss-of-power condition due to

loss of the incoming signal.

Design Procedure

Setting the Loop Filter

The MAX3876 is designed for both regenerator and

receiver applications. Its fully integrated PLL is a clas-

sic second-order feedback system, with a loop band-

can be adjusted to set the loop damping. Figures 4 and

5 show the open-loop and closed-loop transfer func-

tions.

mated by:

guarantee a maximum jitter peaking of less than 0.1dB.

X7R or better.

M

f

f

P

Z

L

=













20log 1+

f

60 C

z

F

=

()

1

2

π

2.5Gbps, Low-Power, +3.3V

Clock Recovery and Data Retiming IC

6

_______________________________________________________________________________________

µF

µF

πf) (dB)

1000

f (kHz)

100

10

1

Figure 4. Open-Loop Transfer Function

µF

H(j2

πf) (dB)

1000

100

10

1

f (kHz)

-3

0

µF

Figure 5. Closed-Loop Transfer Function