1-GHz, 16-mW, 2-bit analog-to-digital GaAs converter

Dislocation-free wafers combined with enhancement-mode MESFETs arranged in an original design have been used to realize ultra-high-speed and accurate compensators and 2-bit converters. A 1-GHz sampling rate, associated with 16-mV power consumption, has been demonstrated and the accuracy results indicate that a 4- or 5-bit A-D converter could be designed.