A 10-bit, 200-MSPS, 105-mW pipeline A-to-D converter

The optimum bit/stage configuration is an important issue in the design of a low-power pipeline analog-to-digital converter ( ADC). Prior to this work, power considerations based on a linear-model have been reported [ 1]. In this letter, the slew-rate limitation, a non-linear effect, is taken into consideration in low-power design. In the case of a 10-bit, 200-MSPS ADC using 90-nm CMOS technology, the lowest power bit-arrangement was found to be 1.5 bit/stage. A test chip was fabricated for confirmation, and a power dissipation of 105 mW was achieved.