A spread spectrum clock generator comprises a conventional closed-loop VCO
and an open-loop VCO where both are coupled to the same point of the PLL.
Both VCOs comprise a V-to-I converter followed by a current-controlled
oscillator and are identical in design but only the open-loop VCO
receives the modulation current to generate the spread spectrum clock
signal. The open-loop ICO is part of the spread spectrum generator and in
one embodiment of the invention receives feedback current signals
representing the modulation method and modulation ratio. This ensures
that the modulated clock output tracks the PLL output frequency. In a
second embodiment the closed-loop VCO receives from the spread spectrum
generator the feedback current signal representing the modulation method
(center/down spread) while the open-loop VCO receives the feedback signal
representing the modulation ratio.