Modeling of pipeline ADC functionality and nonidealities

Abstract

During the design of mixed signal circuits and systems, engineers often begin with high-level behavioral descriptions of the target system. The main appeal of this approach is to reveal theoretical limits and impact of nonidealities before starting transistor level design. This method becomes especially valuable during the design of high-performance and high-resolution circuits. Therefore, behavioral models of mixed signal systems, such as analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), have become a popular research topic. Using such models, the design parameters can be explored based on fast, high-level simulations. As will be described in this chapter, behavioral models of the circuit nonidealities can reveal many issues early in the design. Hence, nonidealities of the circuits should be described and modeled carefully. Sections 9.1 and 9.2 briefly explain the structure of the pipeline ADC and flash ADC, respectively. Section 9.3 describes an ideal model for a pipeline ADC. Next, in Section 9.4, circuit nonidealities are analyzed and modeled in MATLAB® and SimulinkTM environments. Finally, the model of whole ADC with nonideality models are simulated and results are presented in Section 9.5.