Analog to digital converter requirements and implementations for narrowband channelization applications

The processing speeds and dynamic ranges of digital narrowband channelizing devices such as fast Fourier transforms (FFTs) and digital downconverters are far ahead of current analog-to-digital (A/D) converter technology. This would seem to limit the usefulness of these digital devices in real-time applications. Analog preprocessing combined with the digital postprocessing can reduce the limitations of A/D converters in these applications. A detailed examination of A/D converter requirements and limitations in these applications is presented. Preprocessing and postprocessing methods which enhance the performance of the A/D converters are presented. These methods can reduce the impact of the A/D converter as a system bottleneck. Communication system applications are emphasized