A sub-picosecond resolution jitter instrument for GHz frequencies based on a sub-sampling TDA

An on-chip instrument for jitter estimation of clock signals in the GHz range using a sub-sampling Time Difference Amplifier (TDA) is presented in this work. A self-referenced technique that removes the requirement of a very clean external reference clock is used. The TDA uses a novel technique that overcomes the limitations due to the gain and response time trade-off when operating at GHz frequencies. The instrument is designed in STMicroelectronics 28nm FDSOI technology and simulation results show a sub-picosecond resolution for the estimation of the random jitter of clock signals up to 5GHz.