ADL - Linearization for ADCs 1.1

Digital post‑linearization increases the effective resolution of analog‑to‑digital conversions. The linearization technology developed by SP Devices suppresses low order non‑linearities of high‑performance ADCs and non‑linearities caused by pre‑ADC analog components (such as amplifiers, filters and buffers).

The transfer function of ADCs

The SP Devices linearization technology increases the useful dynamic range of A/D solutions. An ADC can be viewed as a transfer function from the analog to digital domain. An ideal ADC has a completely linear transfer function.

All ADCs are non-linear

However, the transfer functions of all real ADCs suffer from non‑linearities. These non‑linearities limit the dynamic range of the ADC and often limit the usefulness of many applications.

The ADL technology

The ADL is digital block for the post‑processing of the output from ADCs that enhances the linearity of the ADC. The ADL improves the dynamic range in most applications by a factor of at least two.

ADL compensates

  • Static nonlinearities
  • Frequency dependent nonlinearities

ADL features

  • Black box model which captures frequency dependent non-linear behavior
  • Self learning and does not need any calibration signal
  • Suppresses low-order non-linear distortion
  • SFDR for higher Nyquist zone improved to the same levels as lower Nyquist zone
 ADL - Linearization for ADCs

















ADL improvement results

Below is the result of applying ADL on high speed 16-bit ADCs presented.

Analog Devices AD9461

  • ADL extends the linear bandwidth beyond 5th Nyquist zone
  • ~20 dB DR improvement for 287 MHz & 289 MHz @ fs = 130 MSps

Analog Devices AD9461

National Semiconductor ADC16V130

  • ADL extends the linear bandwidth beyond 5th Nyquist zone
  • ~15 dB DR improvement for 287 MHz & 289 MHz @ fs = 130 MSp

National Semiconductor ADC16V130

Texas Instruments ADS5483

  • ADL extends the linear bandwidth beyond 5th Nyquist zone
  • ~30 dB DR improvement for 287 MHz & 289 MHz @ fs = 130 MSps

Texas Instruments ADS5483

Linear Technology LTC2209

  • ADL extends the linear bandwidth beyond 5th Nyquist zone
  • ~25 dB DR improvement for 287 MHz & 289 MHz @ fs = 130 MSps

Linear Technology LTC2209
 
Product Information
Sample rate 140 - 800 MSPS
Resolution 14 bit
Input signal range 0.25 or 2.2 Vpp1)
Input channels 1
Input bandwidth DC - 720 MHz2)
Memory size 128 MSamples
Trigger Software/Ext./Level
Internal clock

Software selectable sample rate
External clock 0.25 - 2 Vpp
Interfaces USB 2.0 & PXIe
Dimensions 100 x 160 mm
Case dimensions 103 x 163 mm
1), 2) Depending on product options, see datasheet.

Downloads

ADQ 114 Data Sheet

Ordering information

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ADQ V6 Digitizers


ADQ V5 Digitizers

  • ADQ112 - 1 Ch 12-Bit 1.1 GSPS
  • ADQ212 - 2 Ch 12-Bit 550 MSPS
  • ADQ114 - 1 Ch 14-Bit 800 MSPS
  • ADQ214 - 2 Ch 14-Bit 400 MSPS

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