
ML6421
10
Figure 6. ML6421 Reconstruction Performance in the Frequency Domain
FILTER PERFORMANCE
The reconstruction performance of a filter is based on its
ability to remove the high band spectral artifacts (that
result from the sampling process) without distorting the
valid signal spectral contents within the passband. For
video signals, the effect of these artifacts is a variation of
the amplitude of small detail elements in the picture (such
as highlights or fine pattern details) as the elements move
relative to the sampling clock. The result is similar to the
aliasing problem and causes a “winking” of details as they
move in the picture.
Figure 6 shows the problem in the frequency domain.
Curve A shows the amplitude response of the ML6421
filter, while Curve B shows the signal spectrum as it is
distorted by the sampling process. Curve C shows the
composite of the two curves which is the result of passing
the sampled waveform through the ML6421 filter. It is
clear that the distortion artifacts are reduced significantly.
Ultimately it is the time domain signal that is viewed on a
TV monitor, so the effect of the reconstruction filter on the
time domain signal is important. Figure 7 shows the
sampling artifacts in the time domain. Curve A is the
original signal, Curve B. is the result of CCIR601
sampling, and Curve C. is the same signal filtered through
the ML6421. Again the distortions in the signal are
essentially removed by the filter.
In an effort to measure the time domain effectiveness of a
reconstruction filter, Figure 8 was generated from a swept
frequency waveform. Curves A, B, and C are generated as
in Figure 7, but additional curves D and E help quantify
the effect of filtering in the time domain. Curve D and
Curve E represent the envelopes (instantaneous
amplitudes) of Curves B and C. Again it is evident in
Curve D that the envelope varies significantly due to the
sampling process. In Curve E, filtering with the ML6421
removes these artifacts and generates an analog output
signal that rivals the oversampled (and more ideal) signal
waveforms. The ML6421 reduces the amplitude variation
from over 6% to less than 1%.
Figure 5b. Typical ML6421 Reconstruction Application
< Ideal Sinc(x) response
< –3dB reference marker
< A. ML6421 Amplitude Response
< B. Signal Distortion Spectrum
< C. Reconstructed Signal Spectrum
+10
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FREQUENCY
R
8
DIGITAL
INPUTS
RED DAC
(CURRENT SOURCING
G
8
GREEN DAC
(CURRENT SOURCING
B
R
ANALOG
OUTPUTS
G
B
8
BLUE DAC
(CURRENT SOURCING
ML6421
DAC LOAD
ADJUSTED FOR
2V
P-P
75
75
75
+5V