Remote accurate frequency generation using a numerically controlled oscillator

摘要

Within a communication system (101), a numerically controlled oscillator (112) is driven with a frequency of a precision frequency oscillator (113) and the frequency of the numerically controlled oscillator is adjusted by a calculated number to be equal to that of a frequency signal derived from an external source (103,111). The calculated number utilized to adjust the numerically controlled oscillator is then transmitted to each of a number of subunits (121-131). Each subunit has another numerically controlled oscillator (124) that is driven by a frequency derived from an internal communication link (118,122,123) connecting the subunit to the communication system; and the other numerically controlled oscillator (124) is controlled by the calculated number so that its frequency matches the frequency of the precision oscillator (113). The frequency of the internal communication link is controlled by the precision oscillator. In a second embodiment, a frequency signal derived from an external source is used to drive a numerically controlled oscillator whose frequency is adjusted by a calculated number to be equal to that of a precision frequency oscillator. The calculated number utilized to adjust the numerically controlled oscillator is then transmitted to each of a number of subunits. Each subunit has another numerically controlled oscillator that is driven by a frequency derived from an internal communication link connecting the subunit to the communication system; and the other numerically controlled oscillator is controlled by the calculated number so that its frequency matches the frequency of the precision oscillator. The internal communication link is frequency locked to the external source.