TUMA5: Solving PLL synthesizer fast frequency switching challenges for EW applications

Presentation Abstract
Frequency hopping across wide frequency range find application in multiple systems used in electronic warfare, defense radio, and communications where switching time expected is very low. The Link-16 network used by NATO for transferring real-time tactical information requires frequency hopping under 13 µs. Frequency Switching time in PLL based synthesizers containing integrated VCOs is dominated by VCO calibration time which can go as high as 200 us depending on the capacitor bank in VCOs. Proposed instant calibration feature in LMX2820 reduces the VCO calibration time to <5 us across the wideband frequency range from 45 MHz to 22.6 GHz.