a phase locked loop design that uses a switch operatively connected to a loop filter capacitor to control a leakage current of the loop filter capacitor is provided . by positioning a switch in series with the loop filter capacitor , the leakage current of the loop filter capacitor may be controlled by switching the switch ‘ on ’ when a charge pump of the phase locked loop is ‘ on ’ and switching the switch ‘ off ’ when the charge pump is ‘ off ,’ thereby cumulatively reducing the leakage current of the loop filter capacitor throughput the operation of the phase locked loop . control and reduction of the loop filter capacitor leakage current leads to more reliable and stable phase locked loop behavior .