DAC Local Oscillator Tracking for Lower Power and Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital to analog converters (DACs) face inefficiencies due to the continuous power supply of local oscillator tiles, even when not all unit cells are in use, leading to increased power consumption and potential noise in analog output voltages.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic local oscillator (LO) tracking, which selectively turns on/off LO tiles based on the number of enabled unit cells, using techniques like static, dynamic, or look-ahead tracking to balance power savings and noise levels, and incorporating fractal arrangements to unify data paths and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If local oscillator tiles are continuously powered to ensure readiness for modulation, then the DAC can respond immediately to modulation requests, but power consumption increases and noise is introduced in the analog output voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic LO tracking where the number of active LO tiles is adjusted in real-time based on the number of enabled unit cells. The system transitions from a static always-on configuration to a dynamic configuration that adapts to current operational needs, enabling LO tiles to be activated or deactivated according to actual demand rather than remaining continuously powered.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of LO tiles from a fixed state (always on) to a variable state (conditionally activated). By monitoring the number of enabled unit cells and adjusting the number of active LO tiles accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between power consumption and modulation readiness, activating additional LO tiles only when unit cells are enabled and requiring modulation capability.
2Reliability
If local oscillator tiles are continuously powered to ensure modulation readiness, then the DAC can immediately modulate the analog output, but noise is introduced in the analog output voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active LO tiles based on the operational state of unit cells, changing the parameter of LO tile activation from a constant state to a variable state that responds to actual modulation needs. This reduces unnecessary LO tile operation and associated noise while maintaining modulation readiness when required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all local oscillator tiles are kept active to handle any unit cell configuration, then the system can support any analog output voltage, but power efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic tracking mechanism where the number of active LO tiles is continuously adjusted to match the number of enabled unit cells. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain full versatility in supporting any analog output voltage configuration while optimizing power efficiency by activating LO tiles only when their corresponding unit cells are enabled, rather than keeping all LO tiles continuously active.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include digital circuitry that operates via digital signals and a digital to analog converter (DAC) to convert a digital signal into a modulated analog signal. The DAC may include multiple unit cells to generate an analog signal and multiple local oscillator (LO) tiles to modulate the analog signal and generate the modulated analog signal. The electronic device may also include LO circuitry to dynamically adjust an LO enable signal based at least in part on the digital signal. The LO enable signal may enable a reduced number of LO tiles supporting one or more respective sets of unit cells operatively enabled based on the digital signal.