BER-optimal analog-to-digital converters for communication links

In this thesis, we propose BER-optimal analog-to-digital converters (ADC) where quantization levels and thresholds are set non-uniformly to minimize the bit-error rate (BER). This is in contrast to present-day ADCs which act as transparent waveform preservers. We define the ADC shaping gain metric in order to quantify the improvements. Simulations for various communication channels show that the BER-optimal ADC achieves shaping gains that range from 2.5 dB for channels with low intersymbol interference (ISI) to more than 30 dB for channels with high ISI. Moreover, a 3 bit BER-optimal ADC achieves at least as low a BER as a 4 bit uniform ADC. For flash converters, this corresponds to a power reduction by 2x. Look-up table based equalizers compatible with BER-optimal ADCs are shown to reduce the power up to 47% and the area up to 66% in a 45 nm CMOS process. The shaping gain due to BER-optimal ADCs can be exploited to lower peak transmit swings at the transmitter or decrease power consumption of the ADC.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical & Computer Engr

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2010

Author dc:creator

• Lu, Minwei

Contributors dc:contributor

• Shanbhag, Naresh R.
• Singer, Andrew C.

• BER-optimal
• Analog-to-digital converters (ADC)
• communication links
• ADC shaping gain
• Bit-error rate (BER)

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2010 Minwei Lu

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/16215

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/16215