Descripción del proyecto
Sintonizar una nueva transición para los receptores de radio
Mientras que muchos dispositivos análogos ya se han pasado al mundo digital, los receptores de radio siguen siendo complejos circuitos electrónicos análogos. Deben su complejidad a la necesidad de emplear una serie de circuitos análogos, incluidos filtros, mezcladores, amplificadores y convertidores analógico-digital, necesarios para al uso de amplificadores lineales. Esta complejidad encarece los receptores de radio, además de generar un gasto energético elevado. El proyecto High-Risk-No-Gain, financiado con fondos europeos, tiene como objetivo eliminar la necesidad de recurrir a amplificadores lineales. Conectará los convertidores analógico-digital casi directamente a la antena, y el único elemento intermediario será un filtro «N-path». De este modo, será posible lograr receptores de radio de menor tamaño, menor consumo energético y más económicos.
Objetivo
While most analog functions have been taken over by their digital counterparts, radio receivers today are complex analog electronic circuits. They include amplifier circuits to provide amplification of the weak antenna signals. Ideally the amplifiers provide linear gain, but unfortunately the amplifiers exploiting transistors are inherently nonlinear, causing fundamental problems if large unwanted signals are received simultaneously with weak desired signals. This is why a radio receiver is a complex combination of many analog circuits: filters, mixers and amplifiers are placed between the antenna and the analog-to-digital converter (ADC), making receivers bulky, expensive and consume a lot of energy. The breakthrough concept of this program is to completely refrain from active linear amplifiers and thus have no active linear gain in a receiver. This way we avoid the fundamental problems in amplifiers and we minimize the analog hardware between the antenna and ADC, thus drastically simplifying the radio architecture. This program aims at connecting the ADC to the antenna, with just a separation by a so-called “N-path filter”. As pioneered amongst others by myself, N-path filters are simple structures without amplification and have recently become popular for wireless applications after being “forgotten” for many decades. Research work will focus on: 1) an N-path filter antenna interface, with extreme selectivity; 2) an ultra-low-noise ADC being able to convert the unamplified antenna signal; 3) a digital reflector to reflect unwanted signals arriving at the antenna; 4) precise timing circuits with far-beyond state-of-the-art timing accuracy to clock the N-path filter. I will focus on two different application areas: high-end receivers for high data rates in a crowded spectrum and ultra-low power receivers for (battery-less) sensor networks. My goal is to design fully integrated receivers on a chip, without the bulky and expensive external components needed today.
Ámbito científico
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringanalogue electronics
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorssmart sensors
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technology
Programa(s)
Régimen de financiación
ERC-ADG - Advanced GrantInstitución de acogida
7522 NB Enschede
Países Bajos