DAC Linearization Using Supply Noise Detection and Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital-to-analog converters (DACs) in wireless communication systems face performance issues due to spurs, ripples, and noise on the supply voltage, which are often compensated by voltage regulators, leading to reduced power efficiency and increased heat dissipation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a DAC linearization system that includes a noise detector and compensator to detect and subtract noise from the supply voltage, reducing the need for voltage regulators and enhancing power efficiency by minimizing power dissipation and heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If voltage regulators are used to compensate for spurs, ripples, and noise on the supply voltage, then DAC performance is improved, but power efficiency is reduced and heat dissipation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDAC performanceVSAvoidpower efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the voltage regulator component from the system by implementing digital correction algorithms that process the DAC output signal to compensate for supply voltage noise, spurs, and ripples without requiring physical voltage regulation hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical voltage regulation system with a digital signal processing system that uses algorithms to detect and correct the effects of supply voltage noise, substituting physical component-based regulation with computational correction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If voltage regulators are used to compensate for spurs, ripples, and noise on the supply voltage, then DAC performance is improved, but heat dissipation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDAC performanceVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the voltage regulator component that generates heat by implementing digital correction algorithms that process the DAC output signal to compensate for supply voltage noise, spurs, and ripples without requiring physical voltage regulation hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the heat-generating voltage regulation system with a digital signal processing system that uses algorithms to detect and correct the effects of supply voltage noise, substituting thermal-intensive physical regulation with cool computational correction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10516406B1Digital to analog converter linearization system

Publication Date: 2019.12.24 INTEL CORP

AI summary

A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) linearization system can include a DAC configured to generate an analog output signal based on a digital input signal, a detector configured to detect noise on a supply voltage and generate a noise detection signal based on the detected noise, and a compensator that is configured to generate a compensated analog signal based on the analog output signal and the noise detection signal.