Hybrid DPWM implementation using coarse and fine programmable ADLL

In the paper we propose a novel architecture and implementation of 11-bit Digital Pulse Width Modulator (DPWM) circuit based on previously known building blocks. Linearized Class-AD Double-sided (LADD) algorithm has been used to calculate the DPWM signals of the 11-bit resolution hybrid DPWM for a Class-AD digital audio amplifier. Noise-shaping process is used to support high fidelity with practical values of time resolution. The proposed DPWM circuit is composed of 8-bit counter and Analog Delay Locked Loop (ADLL) using 4-bit tapped delay line. A dual ADLL employing coarse and fine programmable delay element is used to adjust the delay time of delay line and lock it to required time. The coarse- as well as fine-delay lines are implemented as a cascade of variable-delay elements based on shunt capacitor delay element or single-ended Schmitt trigger. The proposed 11-bit DPWM circuit, at a switching frequency of 352.8 kHz and clock generator frequency of 90.3 MHz allows us to attain SNR of 120 dB and THD of the output signal less than 0.1% within the audio baseband and modulation index M=0.95. Basic verification of circuit manufacturability and simulation results (Monte Carlo analysis) for real CMOS process are presented.