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What Is the NCO?
The NCO is a programmable linear frequency generator that can synthesize frequencies up to 32 MHz. NCOs are important for applications such as lighting control, tone generators, radio-tuning circuits, fluorescent ballasts and class D audio amplifiers.
How Does the NCO Work?
NCOs work by adding an increment to an internal accumulator on the rising edge of each input clock signal. The output frequency of the NCO is proportional to the number of cycles it takes for the accumulator to overflow.
Features
8-bit Device Availability and Documentation
- Device Selection
- Application Notes
- Training
Similar Devices
Numerically Controlled Oscillator
The Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) module is a timer that uses the overflow from the addition of an increment value to divide a frequency. The advantage of the addition method over simple counter driven timer or a PWM is that the resolution of division does not vary with the divider value resulting in true linear frequency control. The NCO is most useful for applications that require linear frequency control, high frequency accuracy and fine resolution at a fixed duty cycle such as lighting and ballast control, tone generators and resonant power supplies.
