Departments:
  1. Electrical Engineering
  2. Electronics Engineering
  3. Mechatronics Engineering
Components:
  1. CD4046
Softwares:
  1. Proteus
introduction to cd4046, working of cd4046, features of cd4046, applications of cd4046
Hey Guys! Hope you are doing well. Welcome you onboard. Today, I'll discuss the detailed Introduction to CD4046 which is a Micropower Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) that comes with a common comparator input and a common signal input amplifier between a low-power linear voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and two different phase comparators. The phase locked loop, as the name suggests, is a loop where the phase of the output signal is compared with the phase of the input signal using a phase detector between two signals.
  • Phase detector operates with the aim to adjust the two signal and make them quite in line with each other so they generate signals with the same magnitude.
In this tutorial, I'll walk you through the main details related to CD4046 by breaking down the whole nitty-gritty in simple steps, making it easy for you to grab the main concept. Let's jump right in.

Introduction to CD4046

CD4046 is a Micropower Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) that comes with a phase detector for comparing the phase of the output signal with the input signal and adjust them in order to make the matching signals from both ends.
  • It comes with a common comparator input and a common signal input amplifier between a low-power linear voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and two different phase comparators.
The input signal can be operated in two ways: capacitively layered with a self-biasing amplifier for creating a small voltage signal or directly coupled for a large voltage signal.
  • The VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) is an integral part of the IC that mainly generates oscillated frequency based on the applied input. The generated frequency is then used for phase modulation.
The chip features two phase comparators i.e. Phase Comparator I and Phase Comparator II. They are also known as Phase Detectors.
introduction to cd4046, working of cd4046, features of cd4046, applications of cd4046
Phase comparator I is nothing but an exclusive OR gate that produces a digital, maintaining 90° phase shifts at the VCO.
  • It is important to note that both signal input and comparator input are set at 50% duty cycle where Phase Comparator I can lock the input frequencies that match with the magnitude of the VCO center frequency.
Similarly, Phase comparator II is known as an edge-controlled digital memory network and maintains a 0° phase shift between signal input and comparator input, providing a lock-in and digital error signal.
CD4046 Features
Following table shows the main features of CD4046.
Number of Pins 16
Min Supply Voltage 3 V
Max Supply Voltage 18 V
Number of Phase Comparators 2
VCO linearity 1%
Power consumption 70 µW at VCO Frequency= 10 kHz and VDD = 5 V
Technology CMOS Phase Locked Loop
Operating Temperature Range -55 to 125 ºC
  • These ratings will help you make a final decision before you intend to incorporate this device into the relevant project.
CD4046 Pinout
Following figure shows the pinout of CD4046.
introduction to cd4046, working of cd4046, features of cd4046, applications of cd4046
  • VSS represents the ground voltage while VDD represents the supply voltage.
  • A 5.2-V Zener diode is added with the aim to supply regulation if required.
CD4046 Pin Configuration
Following table shows the pin configuration of each pin.
Pin# Pin Name Pin Description
1 Phase Pulse Phase pulse applied to the IC
2 Phase Comp I Out An output of Phase Comparator I
3 Comparator IN Input at the Comparator
4 VCO OUT Output Signal at VCO
5 INHIBIT  Allows to electronically turn on or off the output voltage power supply
6 C1A Capacitor 1 connected to VCO
7 C1B Capacitor 2 connected to VCO
8 VSS Ground Pin
9 VCO IN Input Signal at VCO
10 Demodulator OUT Extracting the original signal
11 R1 Resistor 1 connected between VCO and Supply Voltage
12 R2 Resistor 2 connected between VCO and Supply Voltage
13 Phase Comp II OUT Generated oscillated output at Phase II Comparator
14 Signal IN Input Signal applied to the Phase Comparator I
15 Zener 5.2 V Zener diode for voltage regulation
16 VDD Voltage supply pin
 
  • I hope this configuration will help you understand the major functions associated with each pin on the chip.
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Following figure shows the absolute maximum ratings of CD4046.
introduction to cd4046, working of cd4046, features of cd4046, applications of cd4046
  • These are the stress ratings above which the device may stop working. Before you start your project, make sure your technical requirements match with the ratings of the device otherwise it may cause more damage than good.
  • As mentioned above DC supply voltage ranges between -0.5 to 18, however it is advised to keep the DC supply between 3 to 15 V for better results, similarly recommended operating temperature range lies from -55 to 125 ºC.
  • The ground voltage is zero unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer.
CD4046 Dimensions
Following figure shows the dimension of CD4046.
introduction to cd4046, working of cd4046, features of cd4046, applications of cd4046
  • The dimensions in the numerator are given in inches and dimensions appearing in the denominator are given in millimeters.
  • It is a low weight tiny chip that can easily stand fit in the hard to reach places.
Applications
CD4046 comes with a variety of applications aiming to compare the output signals with the input signals and produce them with the same frequencies. Following are the major applications of CD4047.
  • FSK modulation
  • Voltage-to-frequency conversion
  • Motor speed control
  • FM demodulator and modulator
  • Frequency discrimination
  • Frequency synthesis and multiplication
  • Tone decoding
  • Data synchronization and conditioning
That's all for now. I'll be writing more tutorials on some basic components mainly used in engineering and technology. If you are unsure or have any question, you are most welcome to approach me in the section below. I'd love to help you the best way I can. Feel free to feed us with your valuable feedback and suggestion, so we keep producing quality content and you keep coming back for what we have to offer. Thanks for reading the article.