Data converters for spectrally-efficient broadband communication

该项目将探索模拟/数字数据转换器集成电路，以支持新兴的频谱效率宽带通信技术，例如同轴广播电视电缆和宽带无线链路。当前的解决方案严重依赖于模拟电子信号处理，因此需要精心设计和校准的模拟电路。这种模拟前端具有有限的可重构性，并且对于每个新应用或新标准需要显著的重新设计和研发费用。对数字信号处理（DSP）的更大依赖将更加灵活，并允许更有效地使用可用频谱。限制高数字收发器用于宽带通信的主要挑战是它们需要能够以足够的保真度覆盖宽通信频谱的数据转换器。人们普遍认为，对于许多宽带应用，这种转换器要么不可能实现，要么消耗的功率远远超过它们试图取代的模拟电路。该项目旨在通过重新考虑这些信念背后的假设来证明这些应用程序的可行数据转换器。具体地，数字校正技术将被定制为已知的信号统计，使得能够使用低功率模拟CMOS电路用于处理带宽超过1GHz的通信信号的数据转换器。解决方案将在先进的CMOS集成电路技术中得到展示，最终将以最先进的带DSP的原型数据转换器告终。合作伙伴和合作者是多伦多的Kapik Inc.，混合模拟/数字集成电路IP开发专家。他们在这一领域的技术领导地位和对项目成果的具体商业利益是关键资产。

This project will explore analog/digital data converter integrated circuits in support of new and emerging spectrally-efficient broadband communication technologies, such as over coaxial broadcast TV cables and broadband wireless links. Current solutions rely heavily upon analog electronic signal processing, and therefore require carefully designed and calibrated analog circuitry. Such analog front ends have limited reconfigurability and require significant redesign and R&D expense for each new application or new standard. A heavier reliance upon digital signal processing (DSP) would be more flexible and permit more efficient use of available spectrum. The main challenge limiting the use of highly-digital transceivers for broadband communication is their need for data converters that can digitize wide swaths of communication spectrum with sufficient fidelity. It is widely believed that for many broadband applications, such converters are either impossible to realize or would consume far more power than the analog circuits they seek to replace. This project seeks to demonstrate viable data converters for those applications by reconsidering the assumptions underlying those beliefs. Specifically, digital correction techniques will be tailored to the known signal statistics enabling the use of low-power analog CMOS circuits for data converters processing communication signals at bandwidths exceeding 1GHz. Solutions will be demonstrated in advanced CMOS integrated circuit technologies, culminating in a state-of-the-art prototype data converter with accompanying DSP. The partner and collaborator is Toronto-based Kapik Inc., specialists in the development of mixed analog/digital integrated circuit IP. Their established technical leadership in this area and specific commercial interest in the project outcomes are key assets.