Limitations of PLL simulation: hidden oscillations in MatLab and SPICE

Nonlinear analysis of the phase-locked loop (PLL) based circuits is a challenging task, thus in modern engineering literature simplified mathematical models and simulation are widely used for their study. In this work the limitations of numerical approach is discussed and it is shown that, e.g. hidden oscillations may not be found by simulation. Corresponding examples in SPICE and MatLab, which may lead to wrong conclusions concerning the operability of PLL-based circuits, are presented

Limitations of the classical phase-locked loop analysis

Nonlinear analysis of the classical phase-locked loop (PLL) is a challenging task. In classical engineering literature simplified mathematical models and simulation are widely used for its study. In this work the limitations of classical engineering phase-locked loop analysis are demonstrated, e.g., hidden oscillations, which can not be found by simulation, are discussed. It is shown that the use of simplified dynamical models and the application of simulation may lead to wrong conclusions concerning the operability of PLL-based circuits