Time-Interleaved ADC Reconfiguration for Scalable Receiver Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed communication systems face challenges in efficiently adapting analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to varying data rates, as existing ADCs are not scalable to support different data rates without compromising performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of time-interleaved analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that can be reconfigured by enabling or disabling sub-ADCs based on the desired data rate, allowing for scalable sampling rates to match the configured data rate of the receiver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single ADC is used to support multiple data rates, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different data rates deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveADC structureVSAvoiddata rate adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ADC is divided into multiple time-interleaved sub-ADCs (first, second, third, and fourth sub-ADCs) that can be independently enabled or disabled. This segmentation allows the receiver to activate only the necessary number of sub-ADCs based on the configured data rate, reducing complexity while maintaining adaptability across different data rate requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ADCs are used to support different data rates, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rate supportVSAvoidADC configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple time-interleaved sub-ADCs are merged into a single unified ADC structure that shares common control logic and timing mechanisms. This merging allows the system to achieve the adaptability of multiple ADCs while avoiding the complexity of completely separate ADC implementations, as all sub-ADCs operate under coordinated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified ADC structure is designed to perform multiple functions by enabling or disabling specific sub-ADCs based on data rate requirements. The same physical structure can operate at different data rates (e.g., 10 GS/s, 20 GS/s, 40 GS/s) by selectively activating the appropriate number of sub-ADCs, making the device universally applicable across different communication standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If all sub-ADCs are always enabled, then maximum data rate performance is maintained, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling rateVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The ADC configuration is made dynamic by enabling or disabling specific sub-ADCs based on the configured data rate. At maximum data rates, all sub-ADCs are enabled to achieve the highest sampling rate. At lower data rates, fewer sub-ADCs are activated, optimizing resource utilization and reducing power consumption while maintaining sufficient performance for the current communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10931295B2ADC reconfiguration for different data rates

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 ETOPUS TECH

AI summary

A receiver having analog-to-digital converters (ADC) is disclosed. The ADCs may be reconfigured based on the data rate of the receiver. For example, more portions of each time-interleaved ADC may be enabled to support a higher data rate of the receiver and less portions of the ADCs may be used to support a lower data rate of the receiver.