Generating analog output from a field programmable gate array by combining scaled digital outputs
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorBrian A. Gunn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for generating analog output from a field programmable gate array. The field programmable gate array has a plurality of digital transceivers, each including a transmitter with an output drive circuit having a programmable output voltage swing. Two or more of the transmitters are programmed to have output voltage swings differing from each other by about a factor of two. A circuit that operates as a digital to analog converter is formed by combining the outputs of the transmitters, using a power combiner.
Claims21
An analog signal generator, comprising:
- a power combiner;
- and
- a field-programmable gate array comprising:
- a first output drive circuit configured to transmit serial data, having a first output voltage swing, the first output drive circuit having a differential output connected to the power combiner;
- and
- a second output drive circuit configured to transmit serial data having a second output voltage swing less than the first output voltage swing, the second output drive circuit having a differential output connected to the power combiner.
An analog signal generator, comprising:
- a power combiner;
- and
- a field-programmable gate array comprising:
- a first output drive circuit configured to transmit serial data, having a first output voltage swing and being connected to the power combiner;
- and
- a second output drive circuit configured to transmit serial data having a second output voltage swing less than the first output voltage swing, connected to the power combiner,
- wherein:
- the first output drive circuit is part of a first transceiver of the field-programmable gate array,
- the second output drive circuit is part of a second transceiver of the field-programmable gate array, and
- the first transceiver and the second transceiver are within one bank of transceivers of the field-programmable gate array.
A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for use in an analog signal generator, the FPGA comprising:
- a first output drive circuit having a first programmable output voltage swing, the first output drive circuit having a differential output;
- and
- a second output drive circuit having a second programmable output voltage swing less than the first programmable output voltage swing, the second output drive circuit having a differential output,
- wherein both of the first and second output drive circuits are configured to connect to a power combiner to output an analog signal based at least in part on the first and second programmable output voltage swings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.