Analog to Digital Converter: a Key Concept in the Implementation of a 3G Software Defined Radio Receiver

摘要: With the dawn of a new millennium we find ourselves one step before the emergence of the third generation (3G) mobile communications systems in the world market. The implementation of the 3G and furthermore 4G mobile communications systems is included within the intentions of the so-called software defined radio (SDR) systems [1]. The design, development and the implementation of SDR systems are based on a combination and evolution of technologies and techniques including mainly: smart antennas, radio frequency (RF) down/up converters, analog to digital converters (ADCs) and digital to analog converters (DACs), digital signal processors (DSPs), modelling and system description languages. In this paper a quantitative analysis of the basic parameters of one of the most important segments of an SDR receiver, the Analog to Digital Converter, is presented. ADC's of the latest technology and their basic specifications are also indicated.