What is a Phase-Locked Oscillator or PLO?
A Phase-Locked Oscillator (PLO) is an electronic device designed to generate a stable and precise output frequency by locking the phase of its internal oscillator to a reference signal. The PLO uses a feedback control system called a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) to synchronize the output signal of a Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO) with the phase and frequency of a reference oscillator. This ensures that the generated signal maintains a fixed frequency with high stability, even in the presence of environmental changes such as temperature variations.
The distinguishing feature of a PLO is its ability to maintain a constant, synchronized output frequency with minimal phase noise and spurious emissions, making it indispensable in applications such as radar systems, telecommunications, frequency synthesis, and test equipment.
Key Specifications of PLOs
When selecting a PLO, users consider the following parameters:
- Output Frequency Range: Specifies the operational frequency limits of the PLO.
- Phase Noise: Determines signal purity and impacts overall system performance.
- Spurious and Harmonic Content: Ensures minimal interference with other system components.
- Reference Accuracy: Impacts the stability of the output signal.
- Locking Speed: Crucial for applications requiring rapid frequency changes.
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