Offset-Calibration With Time-Domain Comparators Using Inversion-Mode Varactors

This brief presents a differential time-domain comparator formed by two voltage controlled delay lines, one per input terminal, and a binary phase detector for comparison solving. The propagation delay through the respective lines can be adjusted with a set of digitally controlled inversion-mode varactors. These varactors provide tuning capabilities to the comparator; feature which can be exploited for offset calibration. This is demonstrated with the implementation of a differential 10-bit successive approximation register analog-to-digital converters. The design, fabricated in a 0.18-μm CMOS process, includes an automatic mechanism for adjusting the capacitance of the varactors in order to calibrate the offset of the whole converter. Correct functionality was measured in all samples.