A 1.92-GS/s CT ΔΣ modulator with 70-db DR and 78-db SFDR in 15-MHz bandwidth

This paper describes the implementation and measurement results of a 1.92 GS/s continuous-time (CT) low-pass ΔΣmodulator for a high frequency (>10 GHz) multifunctional receiver. The proposed single-loop 3rd-order modulator operates at 1.92 GHz, taking advantage of the high transit frequency (f
_T
) of a low-cost 0.25 μm SiGe BiCMOS process. In order to achieve high linearity, single-bit quantization is employed, which is inherently linear and no digital DAC linearity enhancement technique is required. The experimental prototype chip achieves a dynamic range of 70 dB and a spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of 78.1 dB for a signal bandwidth of 15 MHz. It dissipates 220 mW and occupies 0.4 mm
²
silicon area.