Parallel DAC Signal Splitting for Wider Bandwidth Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed communication systems face limitations in achieving high data rates due to the bandwidth constraints imposed by analog components of digital-to-analog converters (DACs), which restrict the quality and sample rate of output signals, especially when using multiple parallelized DACs.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing system comprising multiple DACs and an IQ mixer that splits sampled signals into different frequency portions, allowing for increased bandwidth without significant computational overhead, and includes pre-equalization to compensate for cross-talk effects between processing channels, thereby improving signal quality and bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple parallelized DACs are used to increase bandwidth, then the analog bandwidth is improved, but cross-talk between processing channels deteriorates signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pre-equalization to the input signals before they are processed by multiple DACs. This preliminary processing compensates for anticipated cross-talk effects and system impairments, allowing multiple DACs to operate in parallel with reduced mutual interference. The pre-equalization filter is designed based on the known channel characteristics, enabling the system to achieve high bandwidth while maintaining signal quality.
2Productivity
If multiple DACs are used to increase sample rate and bandwidth, then the data rate capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the high-rate data stream into multiple lower-rate parallel streams, each processed by a separate DAC. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high overall data rates using multiple simpler, lower-speed DACs rather than requiring a single complex high-speed DAC. The complexity is distributed across multiple independent channels, each handling a portion of the total bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pre-equalization filter as an intermediary processing stage that prepares the signals before they enter the parallel DAC channels. This intermediary component compensates for system impairments and reduces cross-talk, enabling the multiple DACs to work together more effectively. The filter acts as a mediator that协调s the interactions between parallel channels, simplifying the overall system design.
3Area of stationary object
If frequency interleaving is used to combine multiple DAC outputs, then the bandwidth is improved, but the output signal quality is restricted due to system impairments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pre-equalization to compensate for system impairments before the signals are combined through frequency interleaving. By anticipating and correcting for distortions, phase errors, and amplitude mismatches in advance, the system maintains high output signal quality even when combining multiple DAC outputs across different frequency ranges. This preliminary correction is crucial for maintaining fidelity in the frequency-interleaved output.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a signal processing system, comprising at least a first, a second and a third digital-to-analog converter (31-33) (DAC); a processing unit (21) configured for splitting a sampled signal into a first and a second signal corresponding to different frequency portions of the sampled signal, transmitting the first signal to the first DAC (31), splitting the second signal into a first and a second subsignal and transmitting the first subsignal to the second DAC (32) and the second subsignal to the third DAC (33), the first subsignal corresponding to the real part of the second signal and the second subsignal corresponding to the imaginary part of the second signal; an IQ mixer (600) configured for mixing an analog output signal of the second DAC (32) and an analog output signal of the third DAC (33) and a combiner (4) for combining an analog output signal of the first DAC (31) and an output signal of the IQ mixer (600). The invention further is related to methods of signal processing.