20.6.5.2.1 Dealing with Settling Time in Closed-Loop Mode

The time from selecting a new CLK_DFLL48M output frequency until this frequency is output by the DFLL48M can be up to several microseconds. A small value in DFLLMUL.MUL can lead to instability in the DFLL48M locking mechanism, which can prevent the DFLL48M from achieving locks.

To avoid this, a chill cycle can be enabled, during which the CLK_DFLL48M frequency is not measured. The chill cycle is enabled by default, but can be disabled by writing '1' to the DFLL Chill Cycle Disable bit in the DFLL Control register (DFLLCTRL.CCDIS). Enabling chill cycles might double the lock time.

Another solution to this problem is using less strict lock requirements. This is called Quick Lock (QL). QL is enabled by default as well, but it can be disabled by writing '1' to the Quick Lock Disable bit in the DFLL Control register (DFLLCTRL.QLDIS). The Quick Lock might lead to a larger spread in the output frequency than chill cycles, but the average output frequency is the same.