Dithering Techniques for Delta-Sigma Modulator Based Digital-to-Analog Converters

这项研究的目标是开发信号处理理论和技术，以对抗实用的、集成的、基于Delta-Sigma调制器的数模转换器(DAC)中的电路损伤，如尺寸误差和非线性器件行为。这些数模转换器是许多电子系统中的重要部件，包括无线电收发机和音频和视频设备。所提出的方法是利用Delta-sigma调制器输入信号的随机抖动来调节其量化噪声的统计，这种调节将降低DAC对上述电路误差的敏感性。这项研究的预期结果是高性能的DAC，它易于设计，并且足够坚固，可以提供高制造成品率，而不是传统的基于模拟的优化策略设计的DAC。该研究的智慧价值在于，它提出了一种根本不同的方法来对抗DAC中的电路错误：一种不依赖于电路优化但应用信号处理技术来提高电路性能的方法。此外，本研究旨在重新调整理论数据转换器的研究，以解决实际电路设计者面临的相关问题。首先，它解决了构建高性能数模转换器的问题，这些转换器对电子行业的增长至关重要。第二，它将鼓励来自代表性不足群体的学生从事高级工程事业，方法是提供专门从这些群体招聘的研究生和暑期实习生，在私人投资促进局的密切监督下从事拟议项目的工作。

The objective of this research is to develop signal processing theories and techniques to combat circuit impairments such as sizing errors and nonlinear device behavior in practical, integrated, delta-sigma modulator based digital-to-analog converters (DACs). These DACs are vital components in many electronic systems including radio transceivers and audio and video equipment. The proposed approach is to use random dithering of the delta-sigma modulator input signal to condition the statistics of its quantization noise; such conditioning will reduce the DAC's sensitivity to the aforementioned circuit errors. The expected outcome of the research is high performance DACs that are easy to design and sufficiently robust to offer high fabrication yields, unlike traditional DACs that are designed using extensive simulation-based optimization strategies.The intellectual merit of the research is that it presents a fundamentally different approach to combating circuit errors in DACs: an approach that does not depend on circuit optimization but applies signal processing techniques to improve circuit performance. Furthermore, the research aims at realigning theoretical data converter research to address relevant problems faced by practical circuit designers.The broader impacts of the project are two-fold. First, it addresses the problem of building high performance digital-to-analog converters that are crucial to the growth of the electronics industry. Second, it will encourage students from underrepresented groups to take up advanced engineering careers by providing graduate students and summer interns recruited specifically from such groups to work on the proposed project under close supervision of the PI.