Abstract
Shrinking feature sizes, combined with the need for low-power and lightweight components, fuel the desire to place large mixed-signal systems onto a single die. A major design issue in mixed-signal systems is the effect of digital switching noise coupled to sensitive analog circuits through the substrate. A method is presented for minimizing this effect by partitioning digital and analog processing into separate time blocks. The resulting trade-off between lost signal and increased energy consumption is explored. As an example, a GPS synchronizer design is analyzed with respect to modifications that can be made to increase performance, while minimizing any associated energy penalty. Application of the partitioning method to other communications systems is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
K. Chadha, “The global positioning system: Challenges in bringing GPS to mainstream consumers,” ISSCC Digest of Technical Papers, Vol. 41, pp. 26–28, 1998.
D.K. Su et al. “Experimental results and modeling techniques for substrate noise in mixed-signal integrated circuits,” IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, Vol. 28, pp. 420–430, 1993.
M.K. Yeung, “System for reducing noise coupling between digital and analog circuitry,” in U.S. Patent 5,706,004.
W. Namgoong, S. Reader, and T. Meng, “An all-digital IF GPS synchronizer for portable applications,” ISSCC Digest of Technical Papers, Vol. 42, pp. 340–341, 1999.
B.W. Parkinson and J.J. Spilker (Eds.), Global Positioning System: Theory and Applications, Washington, DC: AIAA, 1996.
T.S. Rappaport, Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall PTR, 1996.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reader, S., Namgoong, W. & Meng, T. Partitioning Analog and Digital Processing in Mixed-Signal Systems. The Journal of VLSI Signal Processing-Systems for Signal, Image, and Video Technology 24, 59–65 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008166527834
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008166527834