Voltage-controlled oscillator and a method for tuning oscillations

Abstract

Method and systems are provided for voltage-controlling and tuning of oscillators. An example system may include a signal source that provides an input signal for generating oscillations and a frequency tuning network for tuning frequency of the oscillations. The frequency tuning network may include one or more input circuits configured for receiving the input signal from the signal source, and a plurality of capacitors. The frequency tuning network may be configured to tune the frequency of the oscillations by adjusting at least one parameter or function applicable to capacitance within the frequency tuning network and/or within other components of the system. The frequency tuning network may be configured to tune the frequency of the oscillations by adjusting amplifying of capacitance. Adjusting amplifying of capacitance in the system may include inhibiting amplifying of at least one capacitor within at least one other component of the system.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system comprising:
 a signal source that provides an input signal for generating oscillations; and   a frequency tuning network for tuning frequency of the oscillations, the frequency tuning network comprising:
 one or more input circuits configured for receiving the input signal from the signal source; and 
 a plurality of capacitors; 
   wherein the frequency tuning network is configured to tune the frequency of the oscillations by adjusting at least one parameter or function applicable to capacitance within the frequency tuning network and/or within other components of the system.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the frequency tuning network is configured to tune the frequency of the oscillations by adjusting amplifying of capacitance within the frequency tuning network. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the frequency tuning network is configured to tune the frequency of the oscillations by controlling amplifying of capacitance within other components of the system. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the frequency tuning network is configured to tune the frequency of the oscillations by inhibiting amplifying of at least one capacitor within at least one other component of the system. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more input circuits comprise at least one input/output (I/O) pad. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more input circuits comprise at least one inductor. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of capacitors comprises a switchable capacitor or a voltage controlled capacitor. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein one or more capacitors of the plurality of capacitors are connected to at least one input circuit, to form one or more capacitor connections. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the one or more capacitors of the plurality of capacitors are switchably connected to the at least one input circuit, to form one or more switchable capacitor connections. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , further comprising a controller configured to:
 enable the one or more switchable capacitor connections to decrease frequency of balanced oscillations; and   disable the one or more switchable capacitor connections to increase the frequency of the balanced oscillations.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the one or more capacitors of the plurality of capacitors comprise a voltage controlled capacitor, connected to the at least one input circuit, to form one or more voltage controlled capacitor connections. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising a controller configured to control voltage applied to the voltage controlled capacitor connections to adjust frequency of balanced oscillations. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the signal source comprises a resonator, and the input signal comprises a resonator signal. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , further comprising a resonator input circuit that is connected to the resonator, the resonator input being configured to receive the resonator signal. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the resonator comprises a resonator inductor and a resonator capacitor. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the resonator comprises an electro-mechanical resonator. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the electro-mechanical resonator comprises a thin-film bulk acoustic resonator, a bulk acoustic wave resonator, a surface acoustic wave resonator, a micro-electro-mechanical system resonator, or a quartz crystal resonator.