Theory and applications of delta-sigma analogue-to-digital converters without negative feedback

Soell, Sven (2008) Theory and applications of delta-sigma analogue-to-digital converters without negative feedback. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

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Printed Thesis Information: https://eleanor.lib.gla.ac.uk/record=b2639278

Abstract

Analog-to-digital converters play a crucial role in modern audio and communication design. Conventional Nyquist converters are suitable only for medium resolutions and require analog components that are precise and highly immune to noise and interference. In contrast, oversampling converters can achieve high resolutions (>20bits) and can be implemented using straightforward, high-tolerance analog components. In conventional oversampled modulators, negative feedback is applied in order to control the dynamic behavior of a system and to realize the attenuation of the quantization noise in the signal band due to noise shaping. However, feedback can also introduce undesirable effects such as limit cycles, jitter problems in continuous-time topologies, and infinite impulse responses. Additionally, it increases the system complexity due to extra circuit components such as nonlinear multi-bit digital-to-analog converters in the feedback path. Moreover, in certain applications such as wireless, biomedical sensory, or microphone implementations feedback cannot be applied. As a result, the main goal of this thesis is to develop sigma-delta data converters without feedback. Various new delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter topologies are explored their mathematical models are presented. Simulations are carried out to validate these models and to show performance results. Specifically, two topologies, a first-order and a second-order oscillator-based delta-sigma modulator without feedback are described in detail. They both can be implemented utilizing VCOs and standard digital gates, thus requiring only few components. As proof of concept, two digital microphones based on these delta-sigma converters without feedback were implemented and experimental results are given. These results show adequate performance and provide a new approach of measuring.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Qualification Level: Doctoral
Keywords: Sigma, Delta, A/D, Converter, Microphone, Feedback, Digital, FIR, Quantization Noise, Analog, Analogue, VCO, Oscillator, MASH.
Subjects: T Technology > TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering
Supervisor's Name: Porr, Dr Bernd and Roy, Dr Scott
Date of Award: 2008
Depositing User: Mr. Sven Soell
Unique ID: glathesis:2008-369
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 16 Sep 2008
Last Modified: 10 Dec 2012 13:18
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/369

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