Rate-Distortion Analysis of Quantizers with Error Feedback

Abstract: A Delta-Sigma modulator that is often utilized to convert analog signals into digital signals can be modeled as a static uniform quantizer with an error feedback filter. In this paper, we present a rate-distortion analysis of quantizers with error feedback including the Delta-Sigma modulators, assuming that the error owing to overloading in the static quantizer is negligible. We demonstrate that the amplitude response of the optimal error feedback filter that minimizes the mean squared quantization error can be parameterized by one parameter. This parameterization enables us to determine the optimal error feedback filter numerically. The relationship between the number of bits used for the quantization and the achievable mean squared error can be obtained using the optimal error feedback filter. This clarifies the rate-distortion property of quantizers with error feedback. Then, ideal optimal error feedback filters are approximated by practical filters using the Yule-Walker method and the linear matrix inequality-based method. Numerical examples are provided for demonstrating our analysis and synthesis.