BRIGE: UWB Digital to RF Transmitter Architecture and Circuits for Future Software Radio Systems

智力优势：这个bridge研究项目旨在展示一种新型的超宽带软件定义无线电发射机，使用一种新型的无混频器直接数字到rf数字到模拟转换器。所提出的直接射频调制器的关键是一个多路径和多相数模转换器架构，旨在取消？在数字领域？采样图像频率和非线性杂散，但仍以射频信号的奈奎斯特速率工作。具体来说，发射机包括一个全数字基带到射频调制方案，该方案将实现无与伦比的可编程性，并实现非常高的动态范围无杂散操作。此外，考虑到并行数模转换器路径中的各种不匹配，将研究自修复算法，以实现电路参数的内置测试和调谐。更广泛的影响：拟议的调制器将消除对数模转换后外差混频器的需求，这是一项被认为对满足软件定义无线电论坛至关重要的技术。S的定义？理想的软件收音机？该技术可以过渡到广泛的快速发展的商业和军事通信系统，如认知无线电和软件定义雷达。此外，新架构可以作为催化剂，将当前的手持无线电发射机升级为支持所有不同标准和技术的通用无线电架构。除了其技术和商业潜力，这项研究将进一步加强无线电电路和系统的多学科教学和研究轨道。如果获得资助，该项目将在暑期直接资助一名女博士生和两名本科生。PI还将通过资助一名少数族裔研究生参加拟议主题的暑期研究项目，与北卡罗来纳州农工大学（North Carolina a&t University）建立密切合作关系，该大学是少数族裔工程师毕业的主要国家机构之一。

Intellectual Merit: This BRIGE research project aims to demonstrate a new class of ultra wideband software defined radio transmitters using a novel mixer-less direct digital-to-RF digital-to-analog converter. The linchpin of the proposed direct RF modulator is a multi-path and multi-phase digital-to-analog converter architecture, designed to cancel ? in the digital domain ? sampling image frequencies and non-linearity spurs, and yet operate at the Nyquist-rate of the RF signal. Specifically, the transmitter comprises a wholly-digital baseband to RF modulation scheme that will enable unparalleled degree of programmability and achieve very high dynamic range spurious free operation. Furthermore, in light of various mismatches in the parallel digital-to-analog converter paths, self-healing algorithms will be investigated to enable built-in test and tune of the circuit parameters.Broader Impacts: The proposed modulator will eliminate the need for heterodyne mixing following the digital-to-analog conversion, a technology deemed critical to meet the Software Defined Radio forum?s definition of the ?ideal software radio?. This technology could be transitioned to a wide range of rapidly evolving commercial and military communication systems such as cognitive radios and software defined radars. Additionally, the new architecture can serve as a catalyst for upgrading the current radio-transmitter handheld to a common radio architecture supporting all different standards and technologies. Beyond its technological and commercial potential, this research will further strengthen a multidisciplinary teaching and research track in radio circuits and systems. If awarded, this project will directly support a female Ph.D. student and two undergraduate students during summer. The PI will also establish close collaboration with North Carolina A&T University, one of the leading national institutions graduating minority engineers, through funding of a minority graduate student for a summer research program in the proposed topic.