Burt Price

A 10 bit 75 mega-sample per second A/D converter

Metastability and limitations in sample frequency in subranging A/D (analog-to-digital) converter topologies are explored. A monolithic 10-b A/D converter utilizing multiple subranging digitizers to eliminate metastable states and increase sample speed is presented. This converter uses an extension of the dual rank architecture to eliminate the potential for metastable states associated with the coarse rank thresholds. Highly linear input amplifiers are utilized to drive the residue signal, simplifying the input drive requirements. The residue amplifier incorporates clamping circuitry to minimize the effect of overdrive signals on settling time and accuracy.<<ETX>>