Linear time-invariant (LTI) filters are a staple of modern
signal processing. LTI filters perform many operations including
signal estimation, bandpass /
stopband selection, encoding / decoding, modulation /
demodulation, etc. Most modem LTI filters operate in the digital domain due to the flexibility of
programming digital processors. However, this means that the incoming
signal must be digitized. This introduces the signals to the bottlenecks and latency of digital computing, where
digital electronics cannot process the increasing high data-rate and high-bandwidth data in dense spectral environments in real-time. The programmable analog LTI (PA-LTI) architecture is a hardware accelerator that performs real-time LTI operations in the analog domain and is fully programmable, enabling unprecedented acceleration of front-end
PHY layer communications
processing. Conventional analog LTI processors, such as RLC circuits or amplifiers, can perform only one LTI function. A PA-LTI processor can be digitally programmed to implement any arbitrary
finite impulse response (FIR) LTI operation in the analog domain.