A CMOS analog-to-digital converter for a digital RF memory

The authors describe the design of a CMOS analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for use with a CMOS digital RF memory (DRFM) previously constructed. The ADC is needed to digitize the incoming RF signal, which is bandlimited to 50 MHz, so that the DRFM can store and operate on the digital words instead of the analog signals. CMOS technology is used with the intent of eventually integrating the ADC into the same package as the DRFM. The theory of operation of the major circuits of the ADC and major multiplexing blocks is reported. HSPICE simulations of the key ADC components were conducted