A Concept of Synchronous ADPLL Networks in Application to Small-Scale Antenna Arrays

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a reconfigurable oscillatory network that generates a synchronous and distributed clocking signal. We propose an accurate model of the network to facilitate the study of its design space and ensure that it operates in its optimal, synchronous mode. The network is designed and implemented in a fully integrated 65-nm CMOS system-on-chip that utilizes coupled all digital phase locked loops interconnected as a Cartesian grid. The model and measurements demonstrate frequency and phase synchronization even in the presence of noise and random initial conditions. This network is proposed for small-scale multiple input multiple-output systems that require complete synchronization both in frequency and in phase.

Keywords

• Antenna arrays
• distributed clocks
• networks of oscillators
• synchronous circuits
• Internet of Things
• systems-on-a-chip