CD74HCT4046A: PLL locking issue

Part Number: CD74HCT4046A
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CD4046B, SN74123

I have a PLL frequency  setup using CD4046B where I generate 32 kHz from an 8 kHz reference

The feedback path divides the 32 kHz VCO output from which 32kHz 80% duty cycle clock is generated using SN74123 then from this clock,  an 8KHz 25% feedback to pin 3 i generated using FPGA  generated  before feeding it back to the phase comparator (PC2).

The divider chain includes:

  • Schmitt trigger inverter

  • SN74123

  • Additional logic gates

With the CD4046B:

  • 8 kHz reference input

  • 32 kHz VCO output 

  • PLL locks correctly

However, when I replace CD4046B with CD74HCT4046, the behavior changes:

  • With 8 kHz reference → PLL does NOT generate 32 kHz

  • With 4 kHz reference → PLL locks and generates 32 kHz

This suggests the effective feedback division may be behaving like ÷8 instead of ÷4 with the HCT version.

Questions:

  1. Could the 74123 monostable in the feedback path be causing unintended extra division or edge distortion?

  2. Are the TTL input thresholds of CD74HCT4046 affecting how feedback pulses are interpreted?

  3. Does the PC2 comparator in CD4046B have internal multiplier?

Any insights into why the HCT version behaves differently would be appreciated.

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