Partitioned Delta-Sigma Modulator for High-Speed Digital Transmitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wireless communication transmitters require large area footprints and multiple calibrations, especially with the addition of multiple radios, and existing digital transmitters face challenges in meeting high-speed digital signal processing requirements without significant analog components.
Innovation Solution
A digital transmitter architecture with a minimal area footprint, utilizing high-speed digital delta-sigma modulators running at 4.8 GHz, and employing mathematical techniques to split the design into simpler components, meeting timing with standard cell libraries and reducing the need for analog calibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If analog implementations are used in wireless transmitters, then performance can be optimized, but the area footprint increases and multiple calibrations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog implementations with digital delta-sigma modulator implementations, substituting continuous analog signal processing with discrete digital signal processing. This substitution reduces the area footprint while maintaining performance through digital signal processing techniques that shape quantization noise to a desired profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the implementation domain from analog to digital, altering the fundamental parameter of signal representation. By using digital delta-sigma modulation with noise shaping, the system achieves comparable performance to analog implementations but with reduced area and simplified calibration requirements.
2Speed
If high-speed digital signal processing is implemented, then processing speed increases, but meeting timing requirements becomes difficult without significant analog components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the digital transmitter functionality into distinct digital blocks including interpolation filters, delta-sigma modulators, and noise shapers. This segmentation allows each block to be optimized independently for high-speed operation while meeting timing requirements through systematic digital design rather than relying on analog components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes analog timing adjustment mechanisms with digital timing control through clock management and synchronous design techniques. This allows high-speed digital signal processing to meet timing requirements purely through digital means without significant analog components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple radios are added to wireless devices, then communication versatility increases, but the area footprint and calibration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal digital transmitter architecture based on delta-sigma modulation that can serve multiple radio functions (Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.). This multi-functional digital platform reduces the overall area footprint compared to having separate analog transmitters for each radio type, as the same digital signal processing infrastructure supports multiple communication standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces multiple analog transmitter circuits with a unified digital transmitter platform. By using digital delta-sigma modulation as the common foundation, the system achieves multi-radio versatility with reduced area and simplified calibration, as digital implementations require fewer analog adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
A partitioned delta-sigma modulator for high-speed applications includes a plurality of modulation stages arranged in parallel to input and output terminals of the modulator and interconnected to one another in series. In some aspects, each of the plurality of modulation stages is configured to combine a first error signal from a prior modulation stage of the plurality of modulation stages with a first digital signal to produce an adder signal. In some aspects, the first error signal includes a delay from the prior modulation stage. Each of the plurality of modulation stages is also configured to convert the adder signal having a first bit width into a quantized signal having a second bit width smaller than the first bit width. Each of the modulation stages is also configured to provide a second error signal based on the quantized signal to a subsequent modulation stage of the plurality of modulation stages.