Interferences in Phase-Locked Loops

An analysis of the behavior of a second-order phase-locked loop is presented when an unwanted signal is added to the useful signal. Both signals are sinusoidal and unmodulated, and the analysis is made in the absence of additive noise. When the loop remains locked on the useful signal, a parasitic signal exists at the phase detector output. This signal produces a parasitic phase modulation of the VCO and a static phase error in the loop. The parasitic signal amplitude, the parasitic phase modulation index, and the static phase error are calculated. A necessary condition for the loop to remain in lock is derived. When the loop is initially unlocked, locking can occur either on the useful signal or on the unwanted signal, depending on the amplitude ratio and the frequency difference of the two signals. A formula allowing one to compute the pull-in time is obtained. When the loop locks on the useful signal, acquisition can be slower or faster than in the absence of an unwanted signal. The same phenomenon is observed when the loop locks on the unwanted signal.