GRCon21 - gr-genalyzer, a new OOT module to characterize data converter performance

Presented by Srikanth Pagadarai at GNU Radio Conference 2021 Emerging advancements in DAC/ADC technology in terms of enabling multi-channel, multi-mode, multi-band operation and supporting multi GSPS sample rates place stringent requirements on accurately characterizing the performance of data converters to determine their suitability for a given application. While it is possible to use discrete blocks from GNU Radio source tree and compute many of the commonly needed data converter performance metrics such as spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR), total harmonic distortion (THD), noise spectral density (NSD) etc., a dedicated out-of-tree module that computes such metrics in a standards-compliant manner is needed. In this talk, we introduce gr-genalyzer which fills this gap by providing implementations of common data converter performance metrics as defined by the IEEE Standard for Terminology and Test Methods for Analog-to-Digital Converters (IEEE 1241-2010) and the IEEE Standard for Terminology and Test Methods of Digital-to-Analog Converter Devices (IEEE 1658-2011) both published by Instrumentation and Measurement/Waveform Generation, Measurement, and Analysis – Technical Committee 10 (IM/WM&A – TC10). Using ADI’s transceiver and mixed-signal front-end boards as examples, we will use gr-genalyzer to demonstrate how GNU Radio users can not only match the computed performance metrics with the typical, expected specifications as indicated in the datasheet, but also accurately characterize their hardware for arbitrary, valid use-cases. The eventual goal is to submit gr-genalyzer to GNU Radio project maintainers for consideration towards merging it upstream into GNU Radio source tree. https://events.gnuradio.org/event/8/