← Labs 13

Phase-Locked Loop

Active analog

A sinusoidal phase detector compares the reference with the VCO, a first-order RCRC loop filter smooths the error into vcv_c, and the VCO retunes to ω0+Kvvc\omega_0+K_vv_c. The state (θe,vc)(\theta_e, v_c) is integrated live, so acquisition, lock, and cycle slipping all appear on the scope and in the phase portrait.

live circuit · mode=full locked · phase offset 0°
Phase-Locked Loop9 components and 10 connections.feedbackREFfrefPDPDRFRVCvcCFCvcoscVCOVCOVCOFOUTfoutOUTfoutGND0 V
Phase-Locked Loop

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Probes
Try

Phase-locked loop animation running.

causal signal trace paused

Compare the phases The detector multiplies the reference by the fed-back VCO output; its average is proportional to the sine of the phase error.

step 1 / 5 Compare the phases

Notebook · 9 parts · 10 wires · nonlinear phase-error dynamics

recommended lab 15 of 18

Explain lock as a steady phase error and find the hold range of a PLL.

Builds on: Wien-Bridge Oscillator

predict · then test

The loop is locked to a reference 500 Hz500\ \mathrm{Hz} above the VCO’s free-running frequency. What is the steady phase error θe\theta_e?

Commit before the explanation appears. This is a prediction, not a quiz score.

governing model
θ˙e=ωref−(ω0+Kvvc)  ⋅  τ v˙c=Kdsin⁡θe−vc\dot\theta_e = \omega_{ref} - (\omega_0 + K_v v_c) \;\cdot\; \tau\,\dot v_c = K_d \sin\theta_e - v_c
structural inventory
  • reference oscillator freff_{ref}
  • XOR phase detector Kdsin⁡θeK_d\sin\theta_e
  • RCRC loop filter
  • VCO ω0+Kvvc\omega_0+K_vv_c
boundaries
  • fref, f0:8f_{ref},\ f_0: 8–12 kHz12\ \mathrm{kHz}
  • hold range ±KvKd=±1.2 kHz\pm K_vK_d=\pm1.2\ \mathrm{kHz}
  • τ=RC:0.05\tau=RC: 0.05–2 ms2\ \mathrm{ms}
diagnosis challenge Fault identity withheld: infer it from the changed outputs first.