Abstract: A digital RF modulator, an integrated solution that satisfies stringent DOCSIS RF-performancerequirements, takes advantage of modern technologies like high-performance wideband digital-to-analogconversion and CMOS technology scaling. This application note describes the concept and advantages ofa digital quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) modulator that uses the direct-RF architecture to enablea cable access platform (CCAP) system.
Designers of signal receiver systems often need to performcascaded chain analysis of system performancefrom the antenna all the way to the ADC. Noise is a criticalparameter in the chain analysis because it limits theoverall sensitivity of the receiver. An application’s noiserequirement has a signifi cant infl uence on the systemtopology, since the choice of topology strives to optimizethe overall signal-to-noise ratio, dynamic range andseveral other parameters. One problem in noise calculationsis translating between the various units used by thecomponents in the chain: namely the RF, IF/baseband,and digital (ADC) sections of the circuit.
