An easy procedure for calibrating data acquisition systems using interleaving

Interleaving data acquisition channels is a well-known and interesting technique to achieve higher acquisition rates. However, to obtain the expected benefits, a careful look at the interleaving technique and to mismatches that can lead to unwanted harmonic distortion and noise is essential. In this paper we discuss the methods used to interleave existing high-speed, 250 MSPS 8-bit acquisition channels, and the results obtained. The methods presented allowed a good relative channel calibration in amplitude (amplitude mismatch under 0.1 lsb) and in time (time mismatch between acquisition channels in the ps range, under the specified maximum jitter for the ADC used). A dynamic, by software, amplitude level signal-dependent adjustment procedure is also suggested for signals with rich frequency content that can substantially improve the quality of the acquired signal when using interleaved channels. The techniques presented provide good results even in the presence of noise.