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，以支持新型和新兴的频谱高效宽带通信技术，如同轴广播电视电缆和宽带无线链路。目前的解决方案严重依赖于模拟电子信号处理，因此需要仔细设计和校准模拟电路。这种模拟前端具有有限的可重构性，并且需要为每个新应用或新标准进行大量的重新设计和研发费用。更加依赖数字信号处理（DSP）将更加灵活，并允许更有效地利用可用频谱。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数字化广泛通信频谱的数据转换器。人们普遍认为，对于许多宽带应用来说，这种转换器要么是不可能实现的，要么会比它们寻求取代的模拟电路消耗更多的功率。本项目旨在通过重新考虑这些信念背后的假设，为这些应用程序展示可行的数据转换器。具体来说，数字校正技术将针对已知的信号统计量进行定制，从而使处理带宽超过1GHz的通信信号的数据转换器能够使用低功耗模拟CMOS电路。解决方案将在先进的CMOS集成电路技术中进行演示，最终以最先进的数据转换器原型和配套的DSP完成。合作伙伴和合作者是总部位于多伦多的Kapik公司，该公司是开发混合模拟/数字集成电路IP的专家。他们在该领域建立的技术领导地位和项目成果中的特定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.