In DPLL mode, the external XO input source determines the free-run and holdover frequency stability and accuracy of the output clocks. The BAW VCO1 determines the APLL1 output clock phase noise and jitter performance over the 12kHz to 20MHz integration band, regardless of the frequency and jitter of the XO input. This design allows the use a cost-effective, low-frequency TCXO or OCXO as the external XO input to support standards-compliant frequency stability and low loop bandwidth (≤10Hz) required in synchronization applications like SyncE and IEEE 1588.

The principle of operation for DPLL mode after power-on reset and initialization is as follows. If APLL2 is in Cascaded mode as shown in Figure 7-3, VCO1 is held at the nominal center frequency of 2.5GHz while APLL2 locks. Then APLL1 locks the VCO1 frequency to the external XO input and operates in free-run mode. Once a valid DPLL reference input is detected, the DPLL begins lock acquisition. The DPLL TDC compares the phase of the selected reference input clock and the FB divider clock (from VCO1) and generates a digital correction word corresponding to the phase error. The correction word is filtered by the DLF, and the DLF output controls the APLL1 N divider SDM to pull the VCO1 frequency into lock with the reference input. VCO2 tracks the VCO1 domain during DPLL lock acquisition and locked modes, allowing the user to synchronize the clock domain of the APLL2 to the DPLL reference input. Cascading APLL2 provides a high-frequency, ultra-low-jitter reference clock from VCO1 to minimize the APLL2 in-band phase noise or jitter impact that otherwise occurs if the reference of the APLL2 is from a XO/TCXO/OCXO with low frequency or high phase noise floor.

If APLL2 is not cascaded as shown in Figure 7-4, VCO2 locks to the XO input after initialization and operate independently of the DPLL/APLL1 domain.

When all reference inputs to the DPLL are lost, the PLLs enter holdover mode and track the stability and accuracy of the external XO source.

If DCO mode is enabled on the DPLL, a frequency deviation step value (FDEV) can be programmed and used to adjust (increment or decrement) the FB divider SDM of the DPLL, where the frequency adjustment effectively propagates through the APLL1 domain (and APLL2 domain if cascaded) to the output clocks.

The programmed DPLL loop bandwidth (BW_DPLL) must be lower than all of the following:

1. 1/100th of the DPLL TDC rate
2. the APLL1 loop bandwidth (1kHz to 10kHz typical)
3. the maximum DPLL bandwidth setting of 4kHz.

Figure 7-3 DPLL Mode With Cascaded APLL2

Figure 7-4 DPLL Mode With Non-Cascaded APLL2