RF test signals are a requirement for the implementation of effective BIST techniques in transceivers. In this work a method to encode a binary signal with the desired RF frequency is presented. The approach employs high-pass sigma delta modulators, in contrast to conventional low-pass or band-pass approaches, allowing signal generation close to the Nyquist limit of FS/2 (FS=Sampling Frequency). As a digital signal is used, only a 1-bit DAC is needed, reducing test costs. Practical results using a 3Gbps transceiver illustrate the performance achievable by the method.
Citation:
Marcelo Negreiros, Luigi Carro, Altamiro A. Susin, "Digital Generation of Signals for Low Cost RF BIST," ets, pp.49-54, 12th IEEE European Test Symposium (ETS'07), 2007