A 77-dB Dynamic Range, 7.5-MHz Hybrid Continuous-Time/Discrete-Time Cascaded Σ Δ Modulator

Although SigmaDelta modulators have largely been implemented as discrete-time (DT) circuits, a continuous-time (CT) approach offers significant advantages for realizing high-accuracy A/D converters at signal bandwidths where technology considerations may impose significant constraints. A CT design allows for relaxed amplifier unity-gain frequency and power requirements, which can enable the realization of high-resolution modulators with bandwidths of several MHz or more at low power. It also provides the advantage of inherent anti-aliasing filtering. This paper introduces a hybrid CT/DT SigmaDelta modulator for A/D conversion that combines the benefits of CT and DT circuits, while mitigating the challenges associated with CT design. The second-order first stage of a two-stage cascade is implemented in CT, while the first-order second stage is a DT circuit. An experimental prototype of the proposed modulator, integrated in 0.18-mum CMOS technology, operates from a 1.2-V analog supply to allow for easier migration to a 0.13-mum or 90-nm CMOS technology. The prototype achieves a dynamic range of 77 dB, a peak SNR of 71 dB, a peak SNDR of 67 dB, and worst-case anti-aliasing filtering of 48 dB for a signal bandwidth of 7.5 MHz and a sampling rate of 240 MHz. The total power dissipation is 89 mW, including 63.6 mW of analog power.