585 Digitally Controlled Oscillator

585 : Digitally Controlled Oscillator

Design render
  • Author: Sollys Le - PVC
  • Description: The digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) generates a frequency-adjustable clock signal based on an 8-bit control input.
  • GitHub repository
  • Open in 3D viewer
  • Clock: 50000000 Hz

📌 Credits

We sincerely acknowledge the Center of Excellence in Integrated Circuits and Systems (CoE-ICAS) and the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, for their invaluable support in providing us with the necessary knowledge and training.

We extend our special gratitude to Dr. Ravish Aradhya H V (HoD, ECE), Dr. K S Geetha (Vice Principal) and Dr. K N Subramanya (Principal) and Rashtreeya Shikshana Samithi Trust for their continuous encouragement and support, enabling us to achieve TAPEOUT in Tiny Tapeout TTSKY25A.

We are also deeply grateful to Mahaa Santeep G (RVCE Alumni) for his mentorship and invaluable guidance throughout the completion of this project.

How it works

The tt_um_dco module is a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) that generates a frequency-adjustable clock signal based on an 8-bit control input (ui_in). The control input determines the oscillation period using a priority-based selection, where the highest active bit sets the period between 3 and 50 clock cycles. A fast clock is derived from the main clock (clk) using a 4-bit divider, toggling every four cycles. A counter increments on each clock edge, and when it reaches the selected period, dco_out toggles, generating the output waveform. The reset (rst_n) initializes the oscillator, and unused outputs are assigned zero to prevent warnings.

How to test

To verify the functionality of the tt_um_dco module, a testbench (tb) has been provided. The testbench simulates different input scenarios and observes the output behavior of the tt_um_dco module to ensure that it works correctly.

Inputs and Clock Frequency

u_in is used to receive dco_code.

rst_n is the active-low reset signal.

clk operates at a 50 MHz frequency.

Table: Test cases for DCO

Time (ns) ui_in Reset ena uo_out (Output) Clock
0 00000001 1 1 00000000 1
10 00000001 1 1 00000000 0
20 00000001 0 1 00000000 1
30 00000001 0 1 00000000 0
40 00000001 0 1 00000000 1
50 00000001 0 1 00000000 0
60 00000001 0 1 00000000 1
70 00000001 0 1 00000000 0
80 00000001 0 1 00000000 1
90 00000001 0 1 00000000 0
100 00000001 0 1 00000001 1
110 00000001 0 1 00000001 0
120 00000001 0 1 00000001 1
130 00000001 0 1 00000001 0
140 00000001 0 1 00000001 1
150 00000001 0 1 00000001 0
160 00000001 0 1 00000001 1
170 00000001 0 1 00000001 0
180 00000001 0 1 00000001 1
190 00000001 0 1 00000000 0
200 00000001 0 1 00000000 1
210 00000001 0 1 00000000 0

Table: Input vs Output Frequency

ui_in Output Frequency
00000000 20 MHz
00000001 6.25 MHz
00000010 5 MHz
00000100 4.166 MHz
00001000 3.57 MHz
00010000 3.125 MHz
00100000 2.77 MHz
01000000 2.5 MHz
10000000 2.27 MHz

External hardware

During the simulation, you can monitor the console or waveform outputs for detailed step-by-step results. The testbench uses $monitor to display real-time updates of the inputs and the resulting output.

IO

#InputOutputBidirectional
0ui_in[0]uo_out[0]
1ui_in[1]
2ui_in[2]
3ui_in[3]
4ui_in[4]
5ui_in[5]
6ui_in[6]
7ui_in[7]

Chip location

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