Flexible laboratory setup for DAC experimentation

Abstract: Analog multiplexing appears to be a promising solution for modern transmitters, where speed is the primary limitation. The objective is the development of a low-cost solution to compare different digital to analog (DAC) schemes. In particular, analog multiplexing techniques, high-speed single-DAC, Sigma-delta modulation, Dynamic element matching are considered. The work presents a review of these techniques and shows a prototype of a time interleaved sigma delta modulation based DAC based on a commercially available Field Programmable Gate Array system.