29.3 A 14b 1GS/s RF sampling pipelined ADC with background calibration

We describe a 14-bit 1GS/s pipelined ADC that relies on correlation-based background calibration to correct the inter-stage gain, settling (dynamic) and memory errors. An effective dithering technique is embedded in the calibration signal to break the dependence of the calibration on the input signal amplitude. In addition, to improve the sampling linearity, the ADC employs input distortion cancellation and another digital calibration to compensate for the non-linear charge injection (kickback) from the sampling capacitors on the input driver. The ADC is fabricated in a 65nm CMOS process and has an integrated input buffer. With a 140MHz and 2Vpp input signal, the SNR is 69dB, the SFDR is 86dB, and the power is 1.2W.