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

共同申请者在这项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)和集成电路(IC)。研究的重点是突破数据转换器及其辅助控制电路对无线通信系统施加的限制(集成度、速度和功率)。一个特别的挑战是使这些数据转换器更接近通信系统的高频前端，目标是将其射频、模拟和数字部分集成到单个芯片上，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符合多种通信标准(软件无线电概念)。据介绍，所要求的设备将用于构建高速、高分辨率混合信号IC测试和测量的表征平台。这样的平台将允许准确测量混合信号IC的性能指标，作为非常精确地控制和可编程的输入和时钟信号条件的函数。可以独立地合成这些条件以研究：a)各种时钟波形；以及b)信号和噪声互调的性能效果。在高速无线通信系统的数据转换器中，信噪比(SNDR)和无杂散动态范围(SFDR)都是决定数据转换器能力以满足无线通信系统中分辨率和线性度要求的关键性能指标。因此，根据共同申请者有针对性的实验研究的关键需求，所要求的设备经过精心配置，以构建能够为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).