The demand for efficient and reliable high rate communication is ever increasing. In this thesis we study different challenges in such systems, and their possible solutions. A goal for many years has been to implement as much as possible of a radio system in the digital domain, the ultimate goal being so called software defined radio (SDR) where the inner workings of a radio standard can be changed completely by changing the software. One important part of an SDR receiver is the high speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and one path to reach this high speed is to use a number of parallel, time-interleaved, ADCs. Such ADCs are, however, sensitive to sampling instant offsets, DC level offsets and gain offsets. This thesis discusses estimators based on fractional-delay filters and one application of these estimmators is to estimate and calibrate the relative delay, gain, and DC level offset between the ADCs comprising the time interleaved ADC. In this thesis we also present a technique for carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimation in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. OFDM has gone from a promising digital radio transmission technique to become a mainstream technique used in several current and future standards. The main attractive property of OFDM is that it is inherently resilient to multipath reflections because of its long symbol time. However, this comes at the cost of a relatively high sensitivity to CFO. The proposed estimator is based on locating the spectral minimas within so-called null or virtual subcarriers embedded in the spectrum.~The spectral minimas are found iteratively over a number of symbols and is therefore mainly useful for frequency offset tracking or in systems where an estimate is not immediately required, such as in TV or radio broadcasting systems. However, complexity-wise the estimator is relatively easy to implement and it does not need any extra redundancy beside a nonmodulated subcarrier. The estimator performance is studied both in a channel with additive white Gaussian noise and in a multipath frequency selective channel environment. Interpolators and decimators are an important part of many systems, e.g. radio systems, audio systems etc. Such interpolation (decimation) is often performed using cascaded interpolators (decimators) to reduce the speed requirements in different parts of the system. In a fixed-point implementation, scaling is needed to maximize the use of the available word lengths and to prevent overflow. In the final part of the thesis, we present a method for scaling of multistage interpolators/decimators using multirate signal processing techniques. We also present a technique to estimate the output roundoff noise caused by the internal quantization.

<p>In order to perform the production testing of the video quality of manufactured set-top-boxes for digital television, an FPGA-based measurement system is designed. Background on sampling and video signals are given, as well as the requirements given by Motorola. From this, a design is proposed and implemented. The demonstrator works as planned and shows good performance in regards to signal to noise ratio and differential gain. The implemented digital communication protocols, such as USB and I2C, also work as expected.</p><p>The main conclusion from this thesis is that implementing video test systems using FPGA is a good approach offering many advantages compared to commercial video measurement instruments or plug-in cards for PCs.</p>

In order to perform the production testing of the video quality of manufactured set-top-boxes for digital television, an FPGA-based measurement system is designed. Background on sampling and video signals are given, as well as the requirements given by Motorola. From this, a design is proposed and implemented. The demonstrator works as planned and shows good performance in regards to signal to noise ratio and differential gain. The implemented digital communication protocols, such as USB and I2C, also work as expected. The main conclusion from this thesis is that implementing video test systems using FPGA is a good approach offering many advantages compared to commercial video measurement instruments or plug-in cards for PCs.

The digital age has launched numerous opportunities for game developers, yet the transition from traditionaltabletop games to digital platforms presents a unique set ofchallenges. This thesis delves into the intricacies of this transition.Guided by the Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM),the study focuses on the serious tabletop game ”Futuroscopio,”aiming to convert it into a digital format.The research investigates the challenges encountered duringthe digital conversion process, from the implementation of gamemechanics to the design of a digital interface.Utilizing the Unitygame engine and the C# programming language, a digital artifactis developed to closely mimic the original tabletop game.The study contributes to the growing field of game developmentby providing insights for developers and designers. It servesas a guide for those interested in the digital conversion ofserious tabletop games, shedding light onto the benefits, aswell as drawbacks of such conversion. The thesis concludesby emphasizing the research’s utility for future studies and itsrelevance to a broader audience interested in the domain ofserious games.

No description available.

In many developing countries health care conditions are poor and there is a lack of healthcare professionals and diagnostics tools. Cheap and easy-to-use diagnostics tools have been developed to make practicing medicine easier under these conditions. However, signal monitors can be many and spread out, making it hard for the limited number of medical workers to handle. The monitors are also stationary, making mobile supervision impossible. In this thesis a solution is suggested, made of a hardware setup consisting of an Arduino UNO and Bluetooth module paired with an application, capable of analog to digital conversion, wireless transfer and display of medical signals. Furthermore, two different QRS detection algorithms are tested, a larger and accurate model called Pan-Tompkins and a smaller and faster, moving average based filtering system. The transmission circuit as well as the signal displayed showed promise. However, the analog to digital conversion was noisy due to the power source. The tested algorithms showed that speed and low computational requirements are traded for precision.

Over the past decade, there has been a growing interest in the devel- opment of integrated circuits (ICs) for wearable or implantable biosensors, aiming at providing personalized healthcare services and reducing the health-care expenses. In biosensor ICs, the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is a key building block that acts as a bridge between analog signals and digital processors. Since most of the biosensors are attached to or implanted in hu- man bodies and powered by either portable batteries or harvested energy, ultra-low-power operation is often required. The stringent power budget im- poses challenges in designing power-efficient ADCs, especially when targeting high-resolution. Among different ADC architectures, the Sigma-Delta (Σ∆) ADC has emerged as the most suitable for low-power, high-resolution appli- cations. This thesis aims to enhance the power efficiency of continuous-time (CT) incremental Σ∆ (IΣ∆) ADCs by exploring design techniques at both architectural and circuit levels. The impact of feedback DACs in CT IΣ∆ ADCs is investigated, so as to provide power-efficient feedback DAC solutions, suitable for biosensor ap- plications. Different DAC schemes are examined analytically considering the trade-off between timing error sensitivity and power consumption. The an- alytical results are verified through behavioral simulations covering both the conventional and incremental Σ∆ modes. Additionally, by considering a typi- cal biosensor application, different feedback DACs are further compared, aim- ing to offer a reference for selecting a power-efficient DAC scheme. A two-step CT IΣ∆ ADC is proposed, analyzed, implemented and tested, with the objective of offering flexible and power-efficient A/D conversion in neural recording systems. By pipelining two CT IΣ∆ ADCs, the pro- posed ADC can achieve high-resolution without sacrificing the conversion rate. Power-efficient circuits are proposed to implement the active blocks of the proposed ADC. The feasibility and power efficiency of the two-step CT IΣ∆ ADC are validated by measurement results. Furthermore, enhancement techniques from both the architecture and circuit perspectives are discussed and implemented, which are validated by post-layout simulations. A comparative study of several CT IΣ∆ ADC architectures is presented, aiming to boost the power efficiency by reducing the number of cycles per con- version while benefiting from the advantage of CT implementation. Five CT IΣ∆ ADC architectures are analyzed and simulated to evaluate their effective- ness under ideal conditions. Based on the theoretical results, a second-order CT IΣ∆ ADC and an extended-range CT IΣ∆ ADC are selected as implemen- tation case studies together with the proposed two-step CT IΣ∆ ADC. The impact of critical circuit non-idealities is investigated. The three ADCs are then implemented and fabricated on a single chip. Experimental results reveal that the three prototype ADCs improve considerably the power efficiency of existing CT IΣ∆ ADCs while being very competitive when compared to all types of the state-of-the-art IΣ∆ ADCs. / <p>QC 20150422</p>

Abstract The static linearity testing of analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters (ADCs and DACs) has traditionally required test instruments with higher linearity and resolution than that of the device under test. In this thesis ways to test converters without expensive precision instruments are studied. A novel calculation algorithm for the ADC differential non-linearity (DNL) and integral non-linearity (INL) estimation is proposed. The algorithm assumes that two stimuli with constant offset between them are applied to the ADC under test and that the code density histograms for both stimuli are recorded. The probability density function (PDF) of the stimulus is then solved using simple calculations so that DNL and INL of the ADC can be estimated without a priori known stimuli. If a DAC is used to generate the stimulus to ADC, all inputs and outputs are digital and the new algorithm can be used to obtain the PDF of the DAC output. Moreover, the PDF of DAC actually characterizes its INL and DNL so that this all-digital test configuration enables a simultaneous testing of both converters thanks to the new algorithm. The proposed algorithm is analyzed thoroughly both mathematically and by carrying out several simulations and experimental tests. On the basis of the analysis it is possible to approximate the impending estimation error and select the optimal value for the offset between the stimuli. In theory, the accuracy of the algorithm proposed equals that of the standard histogram method with ideal stimulus, but in practice, the accuracy is limited by that of the offset between the stimuli. Therefore, special attention is paid to development of an accurate and small offset generator which enables ratiometric test setup and solves the problems in the case of reference voltage drift. The proposed on-chip offset generator is built using only four resistors and switches. It occupies 122·22 μm2 in a 130 nm CMOS process and accuracy is appropriate for the INL testing of 12-bit converters from rail-to-rail. Based on the analysis of the influence of resistor non-linearity on the accuracy of offset, it is possible to improve the offset generator further. With discrete resistors, the INL of 16-bit ADCs was tested using a 12-bit signal generator. The proposed simple algorithm and tiny offset generator are considered to be important steps towards built-in DNL and INL testing of ADCs and DACs.

La tendance du secteur automobile à développer des capteurs etactionneurs intelligents, faire cohabiter l’électronique analogique et l’électroniquenumérique devient un art. Placé au sein des actionneurs, pour la sécurité et le confortdes passagers, les convertisseurs analogique-numérique (CAN) sont les composantsclés de ces systèmes intelligents. Un CAN rapide, précis, et peu cher serévèle être un précieux allié pour les équipementiers automobiles. Pour diminuerles coûts, et faciliter l’utilisation de ce bloc, la surface de silicium occupée doit êtreconsidérablement réduite à moins de 0.5mm2. Quant à la précision du convertisseur,12-bits tous les 5 coups d’une horloge de 100 MHz sont nécessaires pour unetempérature de -40°C à 175°C.Ce travail de recherche se focalise sur l’amélioration de l’efficacité énergétiquesous les contraintes que l’environnement automobile représente. Notre principalecontribution réside dans le développement par une approche top-downd’une nouvelle architecture à 3 étages de topologies différentes. Le premier étageest un ΣΔ-Incrémental intrinsèquement linéaire. Le second étage est un algorithmiquepour augmenter rapidement la résolution. Enfin, un SAR accroît la résolutionavec faible consommation de puissance et surface de silicium.Suite à l’analyse de 40 années d’état de l’art, la nouvelle architecture proposéefut validée par vérification des non-linéarités statiques (DNL, INL) à différentsniveaux de modélisation. Commençant par un modèle MATLAB sans leslimitations analogiques, le niveau de modélisation se raffine petit à petit jusqu’auniveau transistor du convertisseur. Un modèle Verilog-A permit la déterminationdes spécifications minimales des briques de base analogiques: les comparateurs etles amplificateurs à transconductance. La sensibilité de ces derniers à la températurefut analysée pour limiter les erreurs commises sur les tensions analogiques.Une fois dessinés et les parasites extraits, les modèles variant avec la températureremplacent leurmodèle Verilog-A respectif afin d’obtenir les performances finales.Parallèlement, deux architectures de comparateurs ont été évaluées en températureau sein d’une première puce de test. Deux méthodes ont été utilisées pour estimerl’offset des comparateurs, et un nouveau circuit asynchrone estime le délai.Une seconde puce de test permet de vérifier la sensibilité du SAR à la températuremalgré un fonctionnement pseudo-asynchrone.Pour les comparateurs, le nouveau circuit de mesure différentielle du retardmontre une précision de 60 ps dans le pire des cas, pour la plus petite surface surpuce connue en considérant la technologie utilisée. Comme la variation du retardest dépendante de la température, le choix d’un Strong-ARM (SA) ou d’un Double-Tail (DT) dépendra du bruit, de la puissance, de la tension d’alimentation, et de laspécification de kickback. Pour une tension d’alimentation standard, les SA comparateursciblent les systèmes à faible consommation avec une tolérance élevéepour le kickback différentiel. Au contraire, les DT comparateurs acceptent uneplage de tension d’alimentation plus faible, et présentent un faible kickback différentiel,mais un bruit plus important. Testé de -40°C à 200°C, le dernier étagedu CAN proposé, n’a pas besoin d’être calibré jusqu’à 180°C. Les résultats encourageantssur cet étage permettent la réutilisation de celui-ci pour calibrer les étagesprécédents. Et pour le CAN, nous estimons une résolution possible de 11,2 bitsen 5 cycles d’horloge par échantillon avec une extension à 13,3 bits en 6 cyclesd’horloge. La surface estimée est de 0,12mm2.La puce de test pour le CAN est en cours de finalisation, une première étapesera sa caractérisation. Les résultats de cette session de mesure détermineront s’ilest possible de pousser l’architecture à des fréquences plus élevées pour ensuitetirer parti du traitement numérique pour conserver les performances. / In the automotive industry, the trend being to develop smartsensors and actuators, the on-board electronic has been ever more an artful workto combine analog electronics and the digital one. While many monitoring andcontrol systems play a crucial role as well for the safety as for the comfort of passengers,small components, like ADCs, are mandatory as a building block or as anessential functionality integrated into smart actuators. To that extent, a low-cost,fast and accurate analog to digital converter operating in those harsh conditionsis a good ally for equipment manufacturers. To decrease the cost, the area is ofprimary concern. Considering re-use of the ADC as an IP-bloc, the area has beenlimited to less than half a square millimeter for an low-oversampling ratio of 5 tooutput a 12-bit code at a sample rate of 20 MSamples/s, over a wide temperaturerange from-40°C to 175°C.This work focuses on the design of high-precision, high-speed and energyefficient ADC under the harsh environment the automotive one represents. Ourmain contribution relies on the development of an new hybrid topology proposalusing 3 stages to cope with such constraints based on a top-down approach: A firstcounting stage inherently linear, an algorithmic stage allowing to increase rapidlythe precision, and a SAR stage, ideal in terms of area and consumption, for a lownumber of bits.Based on a 40 years literature review, a new topology proposal has been validatedby checking its static metric of non-linearity (DNL, INL) at different level ofmodelisation. Starting by a MATLAB implementation without analog limitations,we refined step by step the model tillwe reach a transistor level of the ADC. Thence,Verilog-A model allows us to fix the minimum requirements of the key analog buildingblocks, to wit comparators and OTA. The latter has been analysed in order tolimit the settling error sensitivity to the temperature. Laid-out, parasitic extractedsimulation results of these considering PVT variations, they replace then previoushigh-level model to give final performances. Meanwhile, two well-known comparatorarchitectures have been assessed as IP blocs inside a first test chip. To performthe offset extraction, both a conventional and a feedback loop have been inspected.To assess, the delay a new asynchronous circuit has been proposed. A secondchip tests the sensitivity of the SAR to validate both the pseudo-asynchronousdigital scheme, and a Double-Tail comparator in real operating conditions.For comparators, the new differential measurement circuit of the delaydemonstrate an accuracy of 60 ps in the worst case, over a large temperature rangefor the smallest chip area known with respect to the technology node size. Thetemperature variation of the delay being temperature dependent, the choice of aStrong-ARM or a Double-Tail hinge on the noise, power, supply voltage, and kickbackspecification. For standard power supply voltage, the Strong-ARM latch targetslow-power systems application with a high tolerance for differential kickback.To the contrary, a Double-Tail latch allows lower power supply voltage range, withlow-differential kickback. Otherwise, the Double-Tail exhibit a higher noise due tothe integration in its first stage. Tested from -40°C to 200°C, the last stage of theproposed ADC topology does not need calibration up to 180°C. The encouragingresults on this stage allows the re-use of the SAR to calibrate the previous stages.And considering the ADC, we estimate a possible resolution of 11.2-bits in 5 clockcycles per sample with an extension to 13.3-bits in 6 clock cycles with an estimatedarea of 0.12 mm2.The ADC test chip not being fabricated yet, a first step is the characterizationof the ADC. From the results of the planned measurement session, the maingoal is to push the architecture at higher sampling rates to then leverage the digitalprocessing to enhance the sampling rate without changing the analog.

This work presents novel continuous-time delta-sigma modulator architectures with low-power consumption and improved signal transfer functions which are suitable for wideband A/D conversion in wireless applications, e.g., 3G and 4G receivers. The research has explored two routes for improving the overall performance of continuous-time delta-sigma modulator. The first part of this work proposes the use of the power efficient Successive-Approximations (SAR) architecture, instead of the conventional Flash ADC, as the internal quantizer of the delta-sigma modulator. The SAR intrinsic latency has been addressed by means of a faster clock for the quantizer as well as full-period delay compensation. The use of SAR quantizer allows for increasing the resolution while reducing the total power consumption and complexity. A higher resolution quantizer, made feasible by the SAR, would allow implementing more aggressive noise shaping to facilitate wideband delta-sigma A/D conversion at lower over-sampling-rates. As proof of concept, a first-order CT delta-sigma modulator with a 5-bit SAR quantizer is designed and implemented in a 130 nm CMOS process which achieves 62 dB dynamic range over 1.92 MHz signal bandwidth meeting the requirements of the WCDMA standard. The prototype modulator draws 3.1 mW from a single 1.2 V supply and occupies 0.36 mm2 of die area. The second part of this research addresses the issue of out-of-band peaking in the signal-transfer-function (STF) of the widely used feedforward structure. The STF peaking is harmful to the performance of the modulator as it allows an interferer to saturate the quantizer and result in severe harmonic distortion and instability. As a remedy to this problem a general low-pass and peaking-free STF design methodology has been proposed which allows for implementing an all-pole filter in the input signal path for any given NTF. Based on the proposed method, the STF peaking of any feedforward modulator can be eliminated using extra feed-in paths to all the integrator inputs. A major drawback of the conventional feedforward topology having low-pass STF is the large sensitivity of the STF to the coefficients. In particular, component mismatch, due to random errors in the relative values of individual resistors or capacitors, can significantly degrade the anti-aliasing of the CT modulator and give rise to the unwanted STF peaking. To solve this problem two new architectures, namely dual-feedback and dual-feed-in are proposed which allow us to synthesize a low-pass STF with a smaller number of coefficients than the feedforward structure. The dual-feedback structure which shows significantly lower sensitivity to coefficient mismatch is extensively analyzed and simulated. Also for proof of concept a third-order modulator is implemented in a 130 nm CMOS process which achieves 76 dB dynamic-range over 5 MHz signal bandwidth meeting, for example, the requirements of a DVB-H receiver standard. In addition the modulator shows 77 dB anti-aliasing and less than 0.1 dB worst-case STF peaking. The measured power consumption of the modulator is 6 mW from a single 1.2 V and the die area is 0.56 mm2.