TRF3750
SLWS146B MARCH 2004 REVISED AUGUST 2007
www.ti.com
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APPLICATION INFORMATION
SYNTHESIZING A SELECTED FREQUENCY
The TRF3750 is an integer-N PLL synthesizer, and because of its flexibility (14-bit R, 6-bit A, 13-bit B counter,
and dual modulus prescaler), is ideal for synthesizing virtually any desired frequency. Let us assume that we
need to synthesize a 900-MHz local oscillator, with spacing capability (minimum frequency increment) of 200
kHz, as in a typical GSM application. The choice of the external reference oscillator to be used is beyond the
scope of this section, but assuming that a 10-MHz reference is selected, we calculate the settings that yield
the desired output frequency and channel spacing. There is usually more than one solution to a specific set of
conditions, so below is one way of achieving the desired result.
First, select the appropriate R counter value. Since a channel spacing of 200 kHz is desired, the PFD can also
be set to 200 kHz. Calculate the R value through R = REFIN/PFD = 10 MHz / 200 kHz = 50. Assume a prescaler
value of 8/9 is selected. This is a valid choice, since the prescaler output will be well within the 200-MHz limit
(900 MHz / 8 = 112.5 MHz). Select the appropriate A and B counter values. We know that RFOUT = fPFD x N
= (fREFIN / R) x (A + P x B). Therefore, we need to solve the following equation:
900 MHz = 200 kHz x (A + 8 x B)
Clearly there are many solutions to this single equation with two unknowns; there are some basic constraints
on the solution, since 3 ≤ B ≤ 8191, and also B ≥ A. So, if we pick A = 4, solving the equation yields B = 562.
Thus, one complete solution would be to choose: R = 50, A = 4, B = 562, and P = 8/9, resulting in the desired
N = 4500.
The GUI software accompanying the evaluation board of the TRF3750 includes an easy Parameter Selection
Assistant that can directly propose appropriate values for all the counters given the user’s requirements. In
addition, the software can configure all the possible settings of the TRF3750 and can output the data stream
required, so that the user has a reference when programming the serial port.
To complete the example, the serial port has to be programmed in order for the correct frequency to appear
at the output of the complete PLL. Assuming that the user wanted to program the same modes as used in the
RF Performance Specifications section, a possible sequence of serial data going into the device could be the
one listed below for the three different latches (note that the initialization latch is not used in this example):
Table 10. R Counter Latch Programming Example
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10 DB9 DB8 DB7 DB6 DB5 DB4 DB3 DB2 DB1 DB0
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Table 11. N Counter Latch Programming Example
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10 DB9 DB8 DB7 DB6 DB5 DB4 DB3 DB2 DB1 DB0
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Table 12. Function Latch Programming Example
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10 DB9 DB8 DB7 DB6 DB5 DB4 DB3 DB2 DB1 DB0
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