Optimal equivalent-time sampling for periodic complex signals with digital down-conversion

Equivalent-time sampling can improve measurement or sensing systems because it enables a broader frequency band and higher delay resolution for periodic signals with lower sampling rates than a Nyquist receiver. Meanwhile, a digital down-conversion (DDC) technique can be implemented using a straightforward radio frequency (RF) circuit. It avoids timing skew and in-phase/quadrature gain imbalance instead of requiring a high-speed analog-to-digital converter to sample an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. Therefore, when equivalent-time sampling and DDC techniques are combined, a significant synergy can be achieved. This study provides a parameter design methodology for optimal equivalent-time sampling using DDC.