Design Considerations for Multistandard Cascade ΣΔ Modulators

This paper discusses design considerations for cascade Sigma-Delta Modulators (ΣΔMs) included in multistandard wireless receivers. Four different standards are covered: GSM, Bluetooth, UMTS, and WLAN. A top-down design methodology is proposed to find out the optimum modulator architecture in terms of circuit complexity and reconfiguration parameters. Several reconfiguration strategies are adopted at both architecture- and circuit-level in order to adapt the modulator performance to the different standards requirements with adaptive power consumption. Time-domain behavioural simulations considering a 0.13μm CMOS implementation are shown to validate the presented approach.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TEC2004-01752/MI

Design Considerations for Multistandard Cascade ΣΔ Modulators

This paper discusses design considerations for cascade Sigma-Delta Modulators (ΣΔMs) included in multistandard wireless receivers. Four different standards are covered: GSM, Bluetooth, UMTS, and WLAN. A top-down design methodology is proposed to find out the optimum modulator architecture in terms of circuit complexity and reconfiguration parameters. Several reconfiguration strategies are adopted at both architecture- and circuit-level in order to adapt the modulator performance to the different standards requirements with adaptive power consumption. Time-domain behavioural simulations considering a 0.13μm CMOS implementation are shown to validate the presented approach.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (with support from the European Regional Development Fund) under contract TEC2004-01752/MIC.Peer reviewe

A novel low-voltage reconfigurable ΣΔ modulator for 4G wireless receivers

This paper presents a new adaptable cascade ΣΔ modulator architecture fo r low-voltage multi-stan- dard applications. It uses two reconfiguration strategies: a programmable global resonation and a variable loop-filter order. These techniques are properly com- bined in a novel topology that allows to increase the effec- tive resolution in a given bandwidth, whereas keeping relaxed output swing requirements and high robustness to mismatch and to non-linearities of the amplifiers. Time-domain simulations incl uding the main circuit-level non-idealities are shown to demonstrate the benefits of the presented modulator when it is configured to cope with the requirements of GSM, UMTS, WLAN and Wi-Max.España, Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TEC2007-67247-C02-01/MICEspaña, Ministerio de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía TIC-253

A SigmaDelta modulator for digital hearing instruments using 0.18 mum CMOS technology.

This thesis develops the design methodology for a low-voltage low-power SigmaDelta Modulator, realized using a switched op-amp technique that can be used in a hearing instrument. Switched op-amp implementation allows scaling down the design to the latest CMOS technology. A single-loop second-order SigmaDelta Modulator topology is chosen. The modulator circuit features reduced complexity, area reduction and low conversion energy. The modulator has a sampling rate of 8.2 MHz with an over-sampling ratio (OSR) of 256 to provide an audio bandwidth of 16 kHz. The modulator is implemented in a 0.18 mum digital CMOS technology with metal-to-metal sandwich structure capacitors. The modulator operates with a supply voltage of 1.8 V. The active area is 0.403 mm2. The modulator achieves a 98 dB signal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SNDR) and a 100 dB dynamic range (DR) at a Nyquist conversion rate of 32 kHz and consumes 1321 muW with a joule/conversion figure of merit equal to 161 x 10-12 J/s. The design methodology is developed through the extensive use of simulation tools. The behaviour simulation is carried out using Matlab/SIMULINK while circuits are simulated with Hspice using the Cadence design tools. Full-custom layout for the analog and the digital circuits is performed using the Cadence design tool. Post-processing simulation of the extracted modulator with parasitic verifies that results meet the requirements. The design has been sent to CMC for fabrication. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 43-03, page: 0947. Adviser: W. C. Miller. Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2004

Multi-stage noise shaping (MASH) delta-sigma modulators for wideband and multi-standard applications

Imperial Users onl

Oversampled analog-to-digital converter architectures based on pulse frequency modulation

Mención Internacional en el título de doctorThe purpose of this research work is providing new insights in the development of voltage-controlled oscillator based analog-to-digital converters (VCO-based ADCs). Time-encoding based ADCs have become of great interest to the designer community due to the possibility of implementing mostly digital circuits, which are well suited for current deep-submicron CMOS processes. Within this topic, VCO-based ADCs are one of the most promising candidates. VCO-based ADCs have typically been analyzed considering the output phase of the oscillator as a state variable, similar to the state variables considered in __ modulation loops. Although this assumption might take us to functional designs (as verified by literature), it does not take into account neither the oscillation parameters of the VCO nor the deterministic nature of quantization noise. To overcome this issue, we propose an interpretation of these type of systems based on the pulse frequency modulation (PFM) theory. This permits us to analytically calculate the quantization noise, in terms of the working parameters of the system. We also propose a linear model that applies to VCO-based systems. Thanks to it, we can determine the different error processes involved in the digitization of the input data, and the performance limitations which these processes direct to. A generic model for any order open-loop VCO-based ADCs is made based on the PFM theory. However, we will see that only the first-order case and a second order approximation can be implemented in practice. The PFM theory also allows us to propose novel approaches to both single-stage and multistage VCObased architectures. We describe open-loop architectures such as VCO-based architectures with digital precoding, PFM-based architectures that can be used as efficient ADCs or MASH architectures with optimal noise-transfer-function (NTF) zeros. We also make a first approach to the proposal and analysis of closed loop architectures. At the same time, we deal with one of the main limitations of VCOs (especially those built with ring oscillators), which is the non-linear voltage to- frequency relation. In this document, we describe two techniques mitigate this phenomenon. Firstly, we propose to use a pulse width modulator in front of the VCO. This way, there are only two possible oscillation states. Consequently, the oscillator works linearly. To validate the proposed technique, an experimental prototype was implemented in a 40-nm CMOS process. The chip showed noise problems that degraded the expected resolution, but allowed us to verify that the potential performance was close to the expected one. A potential signal-to-noise-distortion ratio (SNDR) equal to 56 dB was achieved in 20 MHz bandwidth, consuming 2.15 mW with an occupied area equal to 0.03 mm2. In comparison to other equivalent systems, the proposed architecture is simpler, while keeping similar power consumption and linearity properties. Secondly, we used a pulse frequency modulator to implement a second ADC. The proposed architecture is intrinsically linear and uses a digital delay line to increase the resolution of the converter. One experimental prototype was implemented in a 40-nm CMOS process using one of these architectures. Proper results were measured from this prototype. These results allowed us to verify that the PFM-based architecture could be used as an efficient ADC. The measured peak SNDR was equal to 53 dB in 20 MHz bandwidth, consuming 3.5 mW with an occupied area equal to 0.08 mm2. The architecture shows a great linearity, and in comparison to related work, it consumes less power and occupies similar area. In general, the theoretical analyses and the architectures proposed in the document are not restricted to any application. Nevertheless, in the case of the experimental chips, the specifications required for these converters were linked to communication applications (e.g. VDSL, VDSL2, or even G.fast), which means medium resolution (9-10 bits), high bandwidth (20 MHz), low power and low area.El propósito del trabajo presentado en este documento es aportar una nueva perspectiva para el diseño de convertidores analógico-digitales basados en osciladores controlados por tensión. Los convertidores analógico-digitales con codificación temporal han llamado la atención durante los últimos años de la comunidad de diseñadores debido a la posibilidad de implementarlos en su gran mayoría con circuitos digitales, los cuales son muy apropiados para los procesos de diseño manométricos. En este ámbito, los convertidores analógico-digitales basados en osciladores controlados por tensión son uno de los candidatos más prometedores. Los convertidores analógico-digitales basados en osciladores controlados por tensión han sido típicamente analizados considerando que la fase del oscilador es una variable de estado similar a las que se observan en los moduladores __. Aunque esta consideración puede llevarnos a diseños funcionales (como se puede apreciar en muchos artículos de la literatura), en ella no se tiene en cuenta ni los parámetros de oscilación ni la naturaleza determinística del ruido de cuantificación. Para solventar esta cuestión, en este documento se propone una interpretación alternativa de este tipo de sistemas haciendo uso de la teoría de la modulación por frecuencia de pulsos. Esto nos permite calcular de forma analítica las ecuaciones que modelan el ruido de cuantificación en función de los parámetros de oscilación. Se propone también un modelo lineal para el análisis de convertidores analógico-digitales basados en osciladores controlados por tensión. Este modelo permite determinar las diferentes fuentes de error que se producen durante el proceso de digitalización de los datos de entrada y las limitaciones que suponen. Un modelo genérico de convertidor de cualquier orden se propone con la ayuda de este modelo. Sin embargo, solo los casos de primer orden y una aproximación al caso de segundo orden se pueden implementar en la práctica. La teoría de la modulación por frecuencia de pulsos también permite nuevas perspectivas para la propuesta y el análisis tanto de arquitecturas de una sola etapa como de arquitecturas de varias etapas construidas con osciladores controlados por tensión. Se proponen y se describen arquitecturas en lazo abierto como son las basadas en osciladores controlador por tensión con moduladores digitales en la etapa de entrada, moduladores por frecuencia de pulsos que se utilizan como convertidores analógico-digitales eficientes o arquitecturas en cascada en las que se optimizan la distribución de los ceros en la función de transferencia del ruido. También se realiza una aproximación a la propuesta y el análisis de arquitecturas en lazo cerrado. Al mismo tiempo, se aborda una de las problemáticas más importantes de los osciladores controlados por tensión (especialmente en aquellos implementados mediante osciladores en anillo): la relación tensión-freculineal que presentan este tipo de circuitos. En el documento, se describen dos técnicas cuyo objetivo es mitigar esta limitación. La primera técnica de corrección se basa en el uso de un modulador por ancho de pulsos antes del oscilador controlado por tensión. De esta forma, solo existen dos estados de oscilación en el oscilador, se trabaja de forma lineal y no se genera distorsión en los datos de salida. La técnica se propone de forma teórica haciendo uso de la teoría desarrollada previamente. Para llevar a cabo la validación de la propuesta teórica se fabricó un prototipo experimental en un proceso CMOS de 40-nm. El chip mostró problemas de ruido que limitaban la resolución, sin embargo, nos permitió velicar que la resolución ideal que se podrá haber obtenido estaba muy cercana a la resolución esperada. Se obtuvo una potencial relación señal-(ruido-distorsión) igual a 56 dB en 20 MHz de ancho de banda, un consumo de 2.15 mW y un área igual a 0.03 mm2. En comparación con sistemas equivalentes, la arquitectura propuesta es más simple al mismo tiempo que se mantiene el consumo así como la linealidad. A continuación, se propone la implementación de un convertidor analógico digital mediante un modulador por frecuencia de pulsos. La arquitectura propuesta es intrínsecamente lineal y hace uso de una línea de retraso digital con el fin de mejorar la resolución del convertidor. Como parte del trabajo experimental, se fabricó otro chip en tecnología CMOS de 40 nm con dicha arquitectura, de la que se obtuvieron resultados notables. Estos resultados permitieron verificar que la arquitectura propuesta, en efecto, podrá emplearse como convertidor analógico-digital eficiente. La arquitectura consigue una relación real señal-(ruido-distorsión) igual a 53 dB en 20 MHz de ancho de banda, un consumo de 3.5 mW y un área igual a 0.08 mm2. Se obtiene una gran linealidad y, en comparación con arquitecturas equivalentes, el consumo es menor mientras que el área ocupada se mantiene similar. En general, las aportaciones propuestas en este documento se pueden aplicar a cualquier tipo de aplicación, independientemente de los requisitos de resolución, ancho de banda, consumo u área. Sin embargo, en el caso de los prototipos fabricados, las especificaciones se relacionan con el ámbito de las comunicaciones (VDSL, VDSL2, o incluso G.fast), en donde se requiere una resolución media (9-10 bits), alto ancho de banda (20 MHz), manteniendo bajo consumo y baja área ocupada.Programa Oficial de Doctorado en Ingeniería Eléctrica, Electrónica y AutomáticaPresidente: Michael Peter Kennedy.- Secretario: Antonio Jesús López Martín.- Vocal: Jörg Hauptman

A novel low-voltage reconfigurable ΣΔ modulator for 4G wireless receivers

Trabajo presentado al 23rd DCIS celebrado en Grenoble (Francia) del 12 al 14 de noviembre de 2008.This paper presents a new adaptable cascade ΣΔ modulator architecture for low-voltage multi-standard applications. It uses two reconfiguration strategies: a programmable global resonation and a variable loop-filter order. These techniques are properly combined in a novel topology that allows to increase the effective resolution in a given bandwidth, whereas keeping relaxed output swing requirements and high robustness to mismatch and to non-linearities of the amplifiers. Time-domain simulations including the main circuit-level non-idealities are shown to demonstrate the benefits of the presented modulator when it is configured to cope with the requirements of GSM, UMTS, WLAN and Wi-Max.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (with support from the European Regional Development Fund) under contract TEC2007-67247-C02-01/MIC and the Andalusian (Regional) Ministry of Innovation, Science and Enterprise under contract TIC-2532.Peer Reviewe

A low hardware complexity time domain quantizer for wideband multibit - ADCs

This paper presents proof of concept of a low hardware complexity time domain quantizer (TDQ) for wideband multibit countinuous time (CT) ΣΔ ADCs. Besides rendering multi-level quantization of the input signal, the proposed scheme generates a two-level loop feedback signal for the modulator. The two-level feedback eliminates the errors emanating from component mismatches in the feedback digital-to-analog converter (DAC) due to process variations. The complete scheme is modeled using Simulink (MATLAB) and is validated through simulation. A 2nd order ΣΔ modulator incorporating the proposed TDQ achieves a dynamic range of 45.7 dB for a bandwidth of 10 MHz and an input sine-wave of -5.78 dBFS amplitude

Resonation-based hybrid continuous-time/discrete-time cascade ΣΔ modulators: application to 4G wireless telecom

This paper presents innovative architectures of hybrid Continuous-Time/Discrete-Time (CT/DT) cascade ΣΔ Modulators (ΣΔMs) made up of a front-end CT stage and a back-end DT stage. In addition to increasing the digitized signal bandwidth as compared to conventional ΣΔMs, the proposed topologies take advantage of the CT nature of the front-end ΣΔM stage, by embedding anti-aliasing filtering as well as their suitability to operate up to the GHz range. Moreover, the presented modulators include multi-bit quantization and Unity Signal Transfer Function (USTF) in both stages to reduce the integrator output swings, and programmable resonation to optimally distribute the zeroes of the overall Noise Transfer Function (NTF), such that the in-band quantization noise is minimized for each operation mode. Both local and inter-stage (global) based resonation architectures are synthesized and compared in terms of their circuit complexity, resolution-bandwidth programmability and robustness with respect to circuit non-ideal effects. The combination of all mentioned characteristics results in novel hybrid ΣΔMs, very suited for the implementation of adaptive/reconfigurable Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs) intended for the 4th Generation (4G) of wireless telecom systems