High-Resolution RF to Digital Converter for Next Generation Broadband Communication Systems

目的：本研究的目的是证明一种新的混频器的高性能接收机架构的可行性和鲁棒性的多标准无线电系统的基础上，可编程带通Σ-Δ调制器。该方法使用高度线性的低噪声放大器作为可编程高分辨率模数转换器的输入级，并在射频下实现低噪声调节、滤波和高分辨率信号数字化。智力优势：该研究旨在消除传统上用于现有接收机前端的模拟下变频。新的架构采用高度选择性的LC滤波器嵌入在控制回路，拒绝带外干扰。这进一步放宽了对数字转换器中采用的模拟电路的要求。这种方法降低了接收机的复杂度和功耗，同时提供了高分辨率。此外，将开发一种独特的基于自修复软件的校准方案，以优化模数转换器的性能。更广泛的影响：新的自适应模数接口有可能使宽带系统，如认知和软件定义无线电的有效实施。新的架构也可以很容易地重新配置为一个高性能的频谱分析仪监测频谱。该项目将涉及研究生和本科生，并将包括代表性不足的群体的大量参与。研究成果将纳入课程，并通过技术期刊和会议以及网上张贴进行传播。

Objective: The objective of this research is to demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of a new mixer-less high-performance receiver architecture for multi-standard wireless radio systems based on a programmable bandpass sigma-delta modulator. The approach uses a highly linear low-noise amplifier as the input stage to a programmable high resolution analog-to-digital converter and enables low-noise conditioning, filtering and high-resolution signal digitization at radio frequencies. Intellectual Merit: The research aims at eliminating the analog down-conversion that is traditionally used in existing receiver front-ends. The new architecture employs highly selective LC filters embedded in the control loop that rejects the out-of-band interferers. This further relaxes the requirements of the analog circuits employed in the digitizer. This approach lowers the complexity and power consumption of the receiver while providing high resolution. Additionally, a unique self-healing software based calibration scheme will be developed to optimize the analog-to-digital converter for performance. Broader Impacts: The new adaptive analog-to-digital interface has the potential to enable the efficient implementation of broadband systems such as cognitive and software defined radios. The new architecture can also be readily reconfigured as a high-performance spectrum-analyzer for monitoring frequency spectrums. The project will involve graduate and undergraduate students and will include substantial participation by under-represented groups. The research results will be incorporated into courses and disseminated through technical journals and conferences as well as web postings.