An 8-b ADC with over-Nyquist input at 300-Ms/s conversion rate

An 8-b flash analog-digital (A/D) converter (ADC) LSI for high-speed data acquisition systems such as digital oscilloscopes and wave digitizers is described. This converter can convert analog input signals over the Nyquist frequency (up to 200 MHz) at a conversion rate of 300 megasamples per second (Ms/s) without glitch errors. In addition, it can be operated at up to 440 Ms/s when input frequency is as low as 100 kHz. This ADC is fabricated by a 2.5- mu m, 10-GHz f/sub T/, Si bipolar technology called the advanced sidewall base contact structure (advanced SICOS) technology. For high-performance glitch error suppression, an inhibitory circuit and a comparator design with an inner clock buffer are developed. Both techniques require few hardware additions.<
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