US Patent 7639088 Phase-locked loop start-up techniques

Implementations feature systems and techniques for phase-locked loops (PLLs). In some aspects, implementations feature a system that has a PLL circuit including an oscillator and programmable reference frequency divider circuit or a programmable feedback frequency divider circuit. The PLL includes a control circuit to reduce a time required for a PLL settling time by programming a division value into the programmable reference frequency divider circuit and/or the programmable feedback frequency divider circuit to target the oscillator to operate outside of a system operating frequency range of the oscillator during start-up of PLL operations. The control circuit can program another division value into the programmable reference frequency divider circuit and/or the programmable feedback frequency divider circuit after stabilization of the variable oscillator.