Direct RF Conversion: From Vision To Reality: Tommy Neu
Direct RF Conversion: From Vision To Reality: Tommy Neu
Direct RF Conversion: From Vision To Reality: Tommy Neu
Tommy Neu
System Engineer
Texas Instruments
An emerging class of high-performance RF-sampling data
converters sets out to finally deliver on the promise of
true software-defined radio (SDR).
Receiver system designers are seeing a change from the widely adopted heterodyne
architecture to a direct RF-sampling approach. In the traditional receiver, the designer
selects the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) based on key specifications, such as signal-
to-noise ratio (SNR) and spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR). In a direct RF-sampling
receiver, designers focus instead on how the RF ADC impacts the receiver system noise
figure (NF). A key concern is its performance in a blocking environment for which the
heterodyne architecture has been optimized for many years.
This paper explains the differences between a traditional heterodyne receiver and
the modern RF-sampling data converter. It then compares some key design aspects,
particularly for the complete signal chain line-up.
RF ADC
LO
Front End
RF ADC
HD 3 of
Mixing Image HD 2 of
Interferer interleaving techniques. In this case, the interleaving spurs
Interferer LO and Clock
Phase Noise
need to be considered for the noise analysis with in-band
RX Chain
Noise Floor
blockers, but also for the filter design for out-of-band
interferers.
in-band of the signal band of interest. Typically, 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
Frequency (MHz )
ADC Interleaving
5
filter response to provide sufficient attenuation Spurs
4
at the mixer image and alias locations. This ADCH HD 2 3
0
location. It is difficult to design a RF filter with 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
Frequency (MHz )
Additionally, the out-of-band blocker (after down- When designing the filter mask for the direct RF-
conversion) also generates an HD2 and HD3 sampling receiver, the following components should
component that can fall in-band. These interferer be considered.
HD2,3 alias locations also require filter attenuation,
ADC alias
commonly at IF, as they are fairly close to the IF band
of interest. Every ADC has alias frequency bands in the adjacent
Nyquist zones. The interferer in the alias band folds
Since the mixer image and ADC alias are down-
directly into the band of interest during the sampling
converted without any attenuation by the mixer
instant. The ADC sampling rate should be chosen
and ADC, the external filters need to provide all
to ensure there is enough space at the edge of the
the attenuation to meet the SFDR requirement.
On the other hand, the ADC and mixer also create Nyquist zone to allow for filter rolloff (similar to IF-
ADC non-HD2,3
In-band blocker
Based on the maximum out-of-band blocker power, The receiver performance in the presence of a
the high-order harmonic spurious performance of strong, in-band interferer is independent of the filter
the RF ADC determines the minimum broadband mask, but is primarily limited by the active receiver
filter mask. components (mixer, IF amplifier and ADC). With
some frequency planning, the low-order harmonics
Similar to the heterodyne receiver, the ADC alias
HD2, HD3, and even the interleaving spurs, may
bands require the full amount of filter rejection. This
be avoided. However, the spur floor from the higher
is because a blocker in that band directly falls on top
order harmonics will always be present.
of the wanted band during the sampling process.
Meanwhile, the remaining ADC spurious products Some systems – like multi-carrier (MC) GSM that
all have inherent attenuation, which require far less have very strong, narrowband blocker requirements
attenuation (Figure 7). and demand 16-bit, IF-sampling ADCs with typical
differences. At first glance, the close-in filter design HD2 (typ) 84 dBc (@ FIN = 170 MHz) 79 dBc (@ FIN = 2400 MHz)
HD3 (typ) 82 dBc (@ FIN = 170 MHz) 76 dBc (@ FIN = 2400 MHz)
for the RF-sampling receiver appears more relaxed,
Interleaving
as there are fewer critical spur locations close by n/a 57 dBc (@ FIN = 2400 MHz)
spur (typ)
and fewer bands requiring the full filter rejection Non-HD2,
88 dBc (@ FIN = 170 MHz) 75 dBc (@ FIN = 2400 MHz)
3 (typ)
amount. However, a flexible RF-ADC-sampling
FSADC FS/2 LO FSADC
10
Input Signal
ADC Alias Mixer Image RF Band ADC Alias Bands
Mixer Image9
Interleaving
ADC Alias Bands8 Spurs
7
Mixer ½ IF Spurs
6
Mixer ½ IF Spurs
4
ADCH HD 2 3
ADCH HD 3 2
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000
Frequency (MHz )
Figure 8. Filter mask comparison between heterodyne and direct RF-sampling receiver
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