Platforms for Digital Signal Processing

Communication systems are becoming increasingly complex. They are a technical masterpiece in terms of the flow and interaction of the individual signal processing components. Particularly in applications that require real-time digital processing, absolute precision and speed are crucial. High to extremely high bandwidths and direct sampling at transmission frequencies up to the Ka-band are often essential for smooth and reliable signal processing. Accordingly, suitable analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters are just as indispensable as powerful processors or FPGAs. Evaluation platforms for signal processing therefore play a central role in the success of product development

Focused on signal processing quality 

With the help of our high-speed signal processing platforms, developers can test their components directly in the application context and plan for early product adjustments. Accelerated product design significantly reduces development costs. However, increasing bandwidths and sampling rates mean that the requirements for such platforms are also constantly rising.

To adequately meet diverse and customer-specific needs, we rely on our extensive knowledge in the areas of mixed-signal design and digital high-speed interfaces when it comes to hardware design. Our toolbox also includes state-of-the-art CAD tools and simulation environments, which reliably minimize potential redesigns and sluggish development phases.

Some advanced applications, such as beamforming or phased array antennas, rely on the synchronous sampling of a signal on multiple converter channels. Consequently, the precise synchronization of multiple signal converters (ADC/DAC) is another key focus of our work. To ensure the best possible signal processing quality, high-quality sampling clocks and their distribution over multiple converters are also required. To this end, we have successfully researched and implemented concepts for clock frequencies up to 24 GHz.