US 11,705,862 B2
Method for enhancing the starting of an oscillator of a super-regenerative receiver, and receiver for implementing the method
Jean-Luc Arend, Corcelles (CH); and Arnaud Casagrande, Bole (CH)
Assigned to The Swatch Group Research and Develonment Ltd, Marin (CH)
Filed by The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd, Marin (CH)
Filed on Jun. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/855,020.
Claims priority of application No. 21200072 (EP), filed on Sep. 30, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0099987 A1, Mar. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. H03B 5/06 (2006.01); H03B 5/12 (2006.01); H03L 7/08 (2006.01); H03L 7/099 (2006.01)
CPC H03B 5/06 (2013.01) [H03B 5/1212 (2013.01); H03L 7/0802 (2013.01); H03L 7/099 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for enhancing the detection of the start time of a reference oscillator (4) of a super-regenerative receiver (1), the receiver (1) comprising the reference oscillator (4), a bias current generator (7) for supplying a bias current (i_vco) to the reference oscillator (4) on receiving an activation control signal (Sosc), an oscillation detector (6) for detecting an oscillation in the reference oscillator (4), and an impedance matching unit (3) disposed between a terminal or pad (2) for receiving an RF signal of the receiver (1) and the reference oscillator (4), the method comprising:
following the supply of the bias current (i_vco) after receiving the activation control signal (Sosc), the oscillation detector (6) detecting a first oscillation of the reference oscillator (4) to enable an additional amplification generation circuit to be activated and supply an additional amplification current dependent on an envelope of the oscillation detected at the oscillator, and the oscillation detector (6) supplying a stop control signal of the reference oscillator (4) after the second detection of oscillation with amplification of the oscillating signal,
wherein at the activation control signal (Sosc) supplied to the bias current generator (7), a bias current which increases progressively until at least one critical current value is attained, from which the oscillation of the reference oscillator (4) starts, wherein the oscillation detector (6) detects the first oscillation of the reference oscillator (4), and
wherein at the second oscillation detected by the oscillation detector (6) a stop control signal (stop) is supplied to the bias current generator (7), as well as the additional amplification current generation circuit for immediately cutting off the supply of the currents to the reference oscillator (4) and thus reduce the electricity consumption of the receiver.