A software-radio front-end for microwave applications

M. Streifinger, T. Müller, J. F. Luy, E. A. Biebl

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

At microwave frequencies, in particular at frequencies beyond 10 GHz, no direct sampling receivers are available yet A look at the roadmap of the development of commercial analog-to-digital converters (ADC) shows clearly, that they can neither be expected in near future. We present a novel architecture, which is capable of direct sampling of band-limited signals at frequencies beyond 10 GHz by means of in over-sampling technique. The well-known Nyquist criterion states that wide-band digitisation of an RF-signal with a maximum frequency f requires a minimum sampling rate of 2·f. But for a band-limited signal of bandwidth B the demands for the minimum sampling rate of the ADC relax to the value 2·B. Employing a noise-forming sigma-delta ADC architecture even with a 1-bit-ADC a signal-to-noise ratio sufficient for many applications can be achieved. The key component of this architecture is the sample-and-hold switch. The required bandwidth of this switch must be well above 2·f. We designed, fabricated and characterized a preliminary demonstrator for the ISM-band at 2.4 GHz employing silicon Schottky diodes as a switch and SiGe-based MMICs as impedance transformers and comparators. Simulated and measured results are presented.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2003 Topical Meeting on Silicon Monolithic Integrated Circuits in RF Systems - Digest of Papers
EditorsGeorge E. Ponchak
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages53-56
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)0780377877, 9780780377875
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Event4th IEEE Topical Meeting on Silicon Monolithic Integrated Circuits in RF Systems - Grainau, Germany
Duration: 11 Apr 2003 → …

Publication series

Name2003 Topical Meeting on Silicon Monolithic Integrated Circuits in RF Systems - Digest of Papers

Conference

Conference4th IEEE Topical Meeting on Silicon Monolithic Integrated Circuits in RF Systems
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityGrainau
Period11/04/03 → …

Keywords

  • Analog-digital conversion
  • Application software
  • Bandwidth
  • Delta-sigma modulation
  • Frequency conversion
  • Microwave frequencies
  • Sampling methods
  • Signal to noise ratio
  • Switches
  • Wideband

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