Tutorial: Fundamentals of Continuous-Time ADCs

This tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of continuous-time analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), with a focus on the principles and architectures behind these devices. We start with an introduction to the basics of sampling and quantization, before delving into the operation of continuous-time ADCs. We cover various architectures, including continuous-time pipeline ADCs and continuous-time multistage noise-shaping (MASH) converters, and explain the trade-offs and design considerations for each. The tutorial provides intuitive explanations of the underlying principles, making it accessible to beginners while also providing valuable insights for more experienced designers. By the end of this tutorial, participants will have a solid understanding of continuous-time ADCs and their underlying principles.