Characterization platform for broadband data converters in high-speed wireless communications

共同申请人在NSERC提案中的研究目标是为未来的无线和个人通信系统开发混合信号（混合模拟/数字）集成电路（IC）。研究的重点是实现突破的限制（集成度，速度和功率），数据转换器及其支持的控制电路施加在无线通信系统。一个特殊的挑战是将这些数据转换器移到更靠近通信系统的高频前端，目标是将其RF、模拟和数字部分集成在单个芯片上，以降低制造成本（片上系统概念）。另一个目标是使无线系统的数字可编程性能够适应多种通信标准（软件无线电概念）。 所要求的设备将用于建立一个表征平台，用于测试和测量高速和高分辨率的混合信号集成电路。这种平台将允许精确测量混合信号IC的性能指标，作为非常精确控制和可编程的输入和时钟信号条件的函数。这些条件可以被独立地合成以研究以下各项的性能影响：a）各种时钟波形;以及B）信号和噪声互调。 在用于高速无线通信系统的数据转换器中，信号噪声失真比（SNDR）和无杂散动态范围（SFDR）都是决定数据转换器满足无线通信系统中的分辨率和线性规格的能力的关键性能指标。因此，根据共同申请人目标实验研究的关键需求，所请求的设备经过精心配置，以构建能够对高速高分辨率模数转换器（ADC）和数模转换器（DAC）进行SNDR和SFDR测量的表征平台。

The objective of the co-applicants' research in this NSERC proposal is to develop mixed-signal (hybrid analog/digital)  integrated circuits (ICs) for future wireless and personal communication systems. The research emphasis is to achieve a breakthrough in the limitations (integration, speed, and power) that data converters and their supporting control circuitry impose on wireless communication systems. A particular challenge is to move these data converters closer to the high-frequency front-end of the communication system, with the goal of integrating its RF, analog, and digital portions on a single-chip for fabrication cost reduction (system-on-a-chip concept). Another goal is to enable the digital programmability of the wireless system to multiple communication standards (software-radio concept).      The requested equipment will be utilized to build a characterization platform for the test and measurement of high-speed and high-resolution mixed-signal ICs. Such platform will permit accurate measurement of performance metrics for mixed-signal ICs, as a function of very precisely controlled and programmable input and clock signal conditions. These conditions can be independently synthesized to study the perfomance effects of: a) various clock waveforms; and b) signal and noise inter-modulation.      In data converters for high-speed wireless communication systems, the signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SNDR) and the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) are both critical performance metrics which determine the data converter ability to meet the resolution and linearity specifications in a wireless communication system. Therefore, in line with the critical needs of the co-applicants' targeted experimental research, the requested equipment is carefully configured to build a characterization platform capable of SNDR and SFDR measurements for high-speed high-resolution anlog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs).