A power efficient continuous time ΔΣ modulator with 15 MHz bandwidth and 70 dB dynamic range

We present architectural and circuit details of a high speed continuous-time ΔΣ modulator operating at a sampling rate of 300 Msps in a 0.18μm CMOS process. A large quantizer range of 2.4 V (peak-to-peak differential) reduces thermal noise requirements of the loop filter and matching requirements in the flash ADC. Active-RC techniques are used in the loop filter, and excess loop delay compensation circuitry mitigates the effect of finite bandwidth of the opamps and feedback DAC delay. Thanks to the design techniques employed, the modulator achieves a peak SNR of 67.2 dB in a 15 MHz bandwidth (OSR = 10) while dissipating 20.7 mW from a 1.8 V supply.