Low-Power Technique for SRAM-Based On-Chip Arbitrary-Waveform Generator

A low-power technique for a static random-access memory (SRAM)-based on-chip arbitrary-waveform generator (AWG) is proposed for two types of analog-signal-processing applications: multiresolution spectrum sensing and matched filter. The SRAM has an embedded address generator to limit the operation in a sequential-access mode of the AWG. Then, the power consumption of the AWG is analyzed according to the operation modes in multiresolution and multiwaveform spectrum-sensing functions. The low-power technique reduces power by 18% of the SRAM and the address generator and by about 2.2% of the entire AWG at a 1.8-V supply voltage. The AWG is fabricated in a 0.18-mu m CMOS technology and demonstrates a chirp signal and a Daubechies wavelet with a 45-dBc spurious-free dynamic range and a cross-correlation factor of 0.96-0.988 with ideal signals.