Notched Dither Noise for Higher-Resolution Data Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
High performance systems employing analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) or digital-to-analog converters (DACs) face limitations in resolution due to cost, power consumption, and speed, with existing methods to improve resolution either increasing these factors or introducing undesirable noise.
Innovation Solution
Generating a noise signal, altering its spectrum based on the operation of the data converter, and supplying the altered noise signal to the converter, specifically using methods such as delaying a random number generator output to create notches at frequencies of interest, thereby improving converter efficiency without increasing cost or power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of bits of the converter is increased to improve resolution, then the resolution is improved, but cost, power consumption, and size increase and speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A noise generator is introduced as an intermediary component that adds controlled noise to the converter input or internal signals. This noise intermediary enables dithering effects that improve resolution without requiring increased converter bit depth, thereby avoiding the complexity, cost, and power penalties of higher-resolution converters
2Measurement precision
If noise is added to the converter to improve resolution and differential linearity, then resolution is improved, but undesirable noise is introduced in the system/sensor output
Solution Approach 1:
The noise signal is designed with non-uniform spectral distribution where different frequency components have different amplitudes. By concentrating noise energy in specific frequency bands and minimizing it in others, the invention achieves resolution improvement while locally optimizing noise characteristics to minimize interference with sensor outputs in critical frequency ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The spectral parameters of the noise signal are specifically engineered and adjusted. By controlling the frequency distribution, amplitude spectrum, and temporal characteristics of the noise, the invention transforms the noise from a harmful uniform disturbance into a controlled signal that improves converter performance while minimizing adverse effects on the overall system
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for improving efficiency of a data converter. An example method generates a noise signal, alters the spectrum of the noise signal based on operation of an associated data converter, and supplies the altered spectrum noise signal to the associated data converter. The data converter is a digital-to-analog converter or an analog-to-digital converter. The altered spectrum noise signal is notched at frequencies of interest. The spectrum is altered by sending a signal generated by a random number generator to a delay device and adding the output of the delay device from the output of the random number generator. Also, the spectrum is altered by seeding first and second identical random number generators, delaying the operation of the first random number generator, and adding the output of the delayed first random number generator from the second random number generator.