Signal Generator Non-Linearity Evaluation Using Snapshot Spectral Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-linear operation in signal generators, such as analogue-to-digital converters, leads to noise and distortion in output signals, particularly at peaks, causing errors in signal conversion and further processing, necessitating effective evaluation and compensation of non-linearity.
Innovation Solution
A non-linearity evaluation circuit that detects specific amplitude attributes in the target signal to define a snapshot time window, allowing for efficient analysis of non-linear characteristics using spectral analysis, and outputs candidate coefficients to reduce noise, with the ability to store and update signal snapshots and average spectral results for improved evaluation and compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spectral analysis is performed over a larger part of the target signal, then the evaluation of non-linear characteristics becomes more comprehensive, but the processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the target signal into multiple segments and performs spectral analysis on selected segments containing amplitude peaks rather than the entire signal. This segmentation approach maintains evaluation accuracy by focusing on critical portions while reducing overall processing time and computational load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and isolates specific signal segments containing amplitude peaks for analysis, separating these critical portions from the rest of the target signal. This extraction enables focused spectral analysis on only the necessary portions, improving efficiency without sacrificing evaluation quality.
2Measurement precision
If the snapshot time window is made larger to capture more signal information, then the non-linearity evaluation becomes more accurate, but the processing load and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating snapshot time windows with specific size and positioning characteristics tailored to capture amplitude peaks. Rather than uniformly processing the entire signal, the method adapts the analysis window to the local characteristics of the signal, improving accuracy while controlling processing requirements.
3Reliability
If analysis is performed on the entire target signal, then all non-linear characteristics are captured, but the efficiency of non-linearity evaluation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of amplitude peaks in the target signal before conducting spectral analysis. This preliminary action identifies the critical segments that contain non-linear characteristics, allowing the subsequent analysis to be focused and efficient while maintaining completeness of evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing spectral analysis only on selected signal segments containing amplitude peaks rather than the entire target signal. This approach achieves sufficient evaluation completeness by focusing on the most informative portions while significantly improving processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-linearity evaluation circuit for use with a signal generator having at least a partly non-linear operation. The non-linearity evaluation circuit may include a detection unit operable to detect a given amplitude attribute in a target signal generated by the signal generator, a time position of the amplitude attribute in the target signal defining a time location of a snapshot time window relative to the target signal, a part of the target signal occupying the snapshot time window being a corresponding signal snapshot, and a presence of the given amplitude attribute indicating that the signal snapshot includes noise due to the non-linear operation of the signal generator. The non-linearity evaluation circuit may further include a controller operable to analyse the signal snapshot rather than a larger part of the target signal and to evaluate the non-linear characteristics of the operation of the signal generator based on the analysis.