Jitter and decision-level noise separation in A/D converters

Gaussian aperture jitter leads to a reduced SNR of A/D converters. Also other noise sources, faults and nonlinearities affect the digital output signal. A measurement setup for a new off-chip diagnosis method, which systematically separates the jitter-induced errors from the errors caused by these other factors, is described. Deterministic errors are removed via a subtracting technique. High-level ADC simulations and measurements have been carried out to determine relations between the size of the jitter or decision-level noise and the remaining random errors. By carrying out two tests at two different input frequencies and using the simulation results, errors induced by decision-level noise can be removed.