As the trend to system-on-chip solutions gradually consolidates, including an ever-increasing usage of digital signal processing, a concurrent enhancement of the analogue front-end performance is required. Moreover, such enhanced performances must be achieved under the constraints imposed by digitally driven technology roadmaps, with low-voltage supplies, poor-performance (and often badly characterized) devices - and above all the unavoidable presence of noisy digital circuits. It is under the pressure of these challenges that analogue designers must sharpen their wits to overcome the problems. Supported by both designers' ingenuity and slow, but precious, improvements of digital CMOS technologies, the results of recent research confirm that solutions can be found. In consonance with this trend, this text compiles up-to-date achievements regarding the design of high-speed and high-resolution data converters in deep submicron CMOS technologies. The four types of analogue-to-digital converter architectures commonly found in this arena are covered, namely sigma-delta, pipeline, folding/interpolating and flash.
For all these types, latest achievements regarding the solution of critical architectural and circuital issues are presented, and illustrated through IC prototypes with measured state-of-the-art performances. Some of these prototypes are conceived to be employed at the chipset of newest generation wireline modems (ADSL and ADSL+). Others are intended for wireless transceivers. Besides analog-to-digital converters, the book also covers other functions needed for communication systems, such as digital-to-analog converters, analog filters, programmable gain amplifiers, digital filters, and line drivers. In addition to case studies on state-of-the-art converters, the book includes overview chapters aimed at presenting the existing knowledge in a structured, comprehensive style. Nyquist converters and sigma-delta converters are covered in such a way.