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Time-interleaved ADC
Time interleaved (TI) ADCs are analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that involve multiple converters working in parallel. Each of the converters is referred to as sub-ADC, channel or slice. The time interleaving technique, akin to multithreading in computing, involves using multiple converters in parallel to sample the input signal at staggered intervals, increasing the overall sampling rate and improving performance without overburdening a single ADC.
The concept of time interleaving can be traced back to the 1960s. One of the earliest mentions of using multiple ADCs to increase sampling rates appeared in the work of Bernard M. Oliver and Claude E. Shannon. Their pioneering work on communication theory and sampling laid the groundwork for the theoretical basis of time interleaving. However, practical implementations were limited by the technology of the time.
In the 1980s, significant advancements were made: W. C. Black and D. A. Hodges from the Berkeley University successfully implemented the first prototype of a time interleaved ADC. In particular, they designed a 4-way interleaved converter working at 2.5 MSample/s. Each slice of the converter was a 7-stage SAR pipeline ADC running at 625 kSample/s. An effective number of bits (ENOB) equal to 6.2 was measured for the proposed converter with a probing input signal at 100 kHz. The work was presented at ISSCC 1980 and the paper was focused on the practical challenges of implementing TI ADCs, including the synchronization and calibration of multiple channels to reduce mismatches.
In 1987, Ken Poulton and other researchers of the HP Labs developed the first product based on Time Interleaved ADCs: the HP 54111D digital oscilloscope.
In the 1990s, the TI ADC technology saw further advancements driven by the increasing demand for high-speed data conversion in telecommunications and other fields. A notable project during this period was the development of high-speed ADCs for digital oscilloscopes by Tektronix. Engineers at Tektronix implemented TI ADCs to achieve the high sampling rates necessary for capturing fast transient signals in test and measurement equipment. As a result of this work, the Tektronix TDS350, a two-channel, 200 MHz, 1 GSample/s digital storage scope, was commercialized in 1991.
By the late 1990s, TI ADCs had become commercially viable. One of the key projects that showcased the potential of TI ADCs was the development of the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard, where high-speed ADCs were essential for digital signal processing in mobile phones. Companies like Analog Devices and Texas Instruments began to offer TI ADCs as standard products, enabling widespread adoption in various applications.
The 21st century has seen continued innovation in TI ADC technology. Researchers and engineers have focused on further improving the performance and integration of TI ADCs to meet the growing demands of digital systems. Key figures in this era include Boris Murmann and his colleagues at Stanford University, who have contributed to the development of advanced calibration techniques and low-power design methods for TI ADCs.
Today, TI ADCs are used in a wide range of applications, from 5G telecommunications to high-resolution medical imaging. The future of TI ADCs looks promising, with ongoing research focusing on further improving their performance and expanding their application areas. Emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles, advanced radar systems, and artificial intelligence-driven signal processing will continue to drive the demand for high-speed, high-resolution ADCs.
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Time-interleaved ADC
Time interleaved (TI) ADCs are analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that involve multiple converters working in parallel. Each of the converters is referred to as sub-ADC, channel or slice. The time interleaving technique, akin to multithreading in computing, involves using multiple converters in parallel to sample the input signal at staggered intervals, increasing the overall sampling rate and improving performance without overburdening a single ADC.
The concept of time interleaving can be traced back to the 1960s. One of the earliest mentions of using multiple ADCs to increase sampling rates appeared in the work of Bernard M. Oliver and Claude E. Shannon. Their pioneering work on communication theory and sampling laid the groundwork for the theoretical basis of time interleaving. However, practical implementations were limited by the technology of the time.
In the 1980s, significant advancements were made: W. C. Black and D. A. Hodges from the Berkeley University successfully implemented the first prototype of a time interleaved ADC. In particular, they designed a 4-way interleaved converter working at 2.5 MSample/s. Each slice of the converter was a 7-stage SAR pipeline ADC running at 625 kSample/s. An effective number of bits (ENOB) equal to 6.2 was measured for the proposed converter with a probing input signal at 100 kHz. The work was presented at ISSCC 1980 and the paper was focused on the practical challenges of implementing TI ADCs, including the synchronization and calibration of multiple channels to reduce mismatches.
In 1987, Ken Poulton and other researchers of the HP Labs developed the first product based on Time Interleaved ADCs: the HP 54111D digital oscilloscope.
In the 1990s, the TI ADC technology saw further advancements driven by the increasing demand for high-speed data conversion in telecommunications and other fields. A notable project during this period was the development of high-speed ADCs for digital oscilloscopes by Tektronix. Engineers at Tektronix implemented TI ADCs to achieve the high sampling rates necessary for capturing fast transient signals in test and measurement equipment. As a result of this work, the Tektronix TDS350, a two-channel, 200 MHz, 1 GSample/s digital storage scope, was commercialized in 1991.
By the late 1990s, TI ADCs had become commercially viable. One of the key projects that showcased the potential of TI ADCs was the development of the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard, where high-speed ADCs were essential for digital signal processing in mobile phones. Companies like Analog Devices and Texas Instruments began to offer TI ADCs as standard products, enabling widespread adoption in various applications.
The 21st century has seen continued innovation in TI ADC technology. Researchers and engineers have focused on further improving the performance and integration of TI ADCs to meet the growing demands of digital systems. Key figures in this era include Boris Murmann and his colleagues at Stanford University, who have contributed to the development of advanced calibration techniques and low-power design methods for TI ADCs.
Today, TI ADCs are used in a wide range of applications, from 5G telecommunications to high-resolution medical imaging. The future of TI ADCs looks promising, with ongoing research focusing on further improving their performance and expanding their application areas. Emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles, advanced radar systems, and artificial intelligence-driven signal processing will continue to drive the demand for high-speed, high-resolution ADCs.