ASIC Implementation of Low Power Cordiac Processor for Modulation and Demodulation

The ongoing evolution of high-speed communication systems, particularly with the advent of 5G technology, necessitates the development of efficient hardware solutions capable of handling complex modulation and demodulation tasks while adhering to stringent power constraints. This thesis presents a comprehensive approach to designing a low-power Coordinate Rotation Digital Computer (CORDIC) processor specifically tailored for 5G applications. By harnessing the multiplier-free architecture of the CORDIC algorithm, the proposed processor significantly reduces hardware complexity and power consumption, making it ideal for energy-constrained environments such as mobile devices and small-cell base stations. The implementation utilizes advanced techniques such as pipelining, fixed- point arithmetic, and dynamic voltage scaling to optimize performance metrics including area, power, and timing. Utilizing the Cadence Genus synthesis tool, the results demonstrate that the CORDIC processor occupies an area of approximately 2177.856 units, with a total of 780 standard cells, while effectively managing power consumption at an optimal level relevant for 5G applications. Detailed synthesis and validation processes further ensure compliance with industry standards for error vector magnitude (EVM), establishing the processor's reliability for high-order Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) schemes. Timing analyses indicate that the design meets stringent latency requirements essential for real-time signal processing. Through rigorous testing and analysis, this research not only demonstrates the processor's capabilities but also highlights its versatility across a broad spectrum of digital signal processing applications. The findings underscore the CORDIC processor's potential as a foundational component in the next generation of energy-efficient communication systems, paving the way for innovations that enhance throughput, reduce latency, and improve overall system reliability. As the demand for smart communication technologies escalates, the insights derived from this study will contribute significantly to the ongoing development of energy-efficient accelerators that meet the computational challenges posed by future wireless standards.