Low-Power RF Down Conversion Receiver Front-end

Description of research

In a traditional radio, performance metrics like noise, power, cost, linearity trade-off with each-other. For example, to receive a weak radio signal with minimum corruption in the presence of a strong unwanted signal, we could amplify the signal with a high gain using a low-noise amplifier. In this amplification process, the unwanted signal is also amplified leading to non-linear distortion and hence corruption of the wanted signal. This is an example of a trade-off between noise and linearity. Using an exotic/expensive filter that removes the interferer before the amplification solves the problem but makes the receiver expensive. The limitations of the trade-offs are dictated by physical parameters like supply voltage, transistor properties, cost and the amount of power we are willing to burn. A good radio design takes into account all such trade-offs and is always a "good working compromise" among all the performance metrics.

Aim of the project is to make a low power, low cost, low noise, highly linear and wide band receiver with flexible radio frequency and bandwidth. In short, the aim is: "implementation of a wide-band SDR" (Software Defined Radio).

Advisor(s)

Dr. Ing. E.A.M. Klumperink

Prof. Dr. Ir. B. Nauta

Duration

May 1^st 2011 – May 1^st 2015

Project

Low-Power RF Down Conversion Receiver Front-end

Funding institution

National Semiconductors USA

Strategic Research Orientation

Wireless and Sensor Systems

Links to relevant web pages:

http://icd.ewi.utwente.nl/persons/?id=307

Pictures

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Home CTIT symposium 2013 About CTIT News NIRICT Research Meet the PhDs Working at CTIT Internal Information Conferences Open Calls (updated May 3, 2013) Library and Videos Knowledge Transfer Links Sitemap Search	Low-Power RF Down Conversion Receiver Front-end Description of research In a traditional radio, performance metrics like noise, power, cost, linearity trade-off with each-other. For example, to receive a weak radio signal with minimum corruption in the presence of a strong unwanted signal, we could amplify the signal with a high gain using a low-noise amplifier. In this amplification process, the unwanted signal is also amplified leading to non-linear distortion and hence corruption of the wanted signal. This is an example of a trade-off between noise and linearity. Using an exotic/expensive filter that removes the interferer before the amplification solves the problem but makes the receiver expensive. The limitations of the trade-offs are dictated by physical parameters like supply voltage, transistor properties, cost and the amount of power we are willing to burn. A good radio design takes into account all such trade-offs and is always a "good working compromise" among all the performance metrics. Aim of the project is to make a low power, low cost, low noise, highly linear and wide band receiver with flexible radio frequency and bandwidth. In short, the aim is: "implementation of a wide-band SDR" (Software Defined Radio). Advisor(s) Dr. Ing. E.A.M. Klumperink Prof. Dr. Ir. B. Nauta Duration May 1^st 2011 – May 1^st 2015 Project Low-Power RF Down Conversion Receiver Front-end Funding institution National Semiconductors USA Strategic Research Orientation Wireless and Sensor Systems Links to relevant web pages: http://icd.ewi.utwente.nl/persons/?id=307 Pictures