A 6-bit 1 GHz acquisition speed CMOS flash ADC with digital error correction

In this paper, a 6-bit CMOS analog-to-digital converter (A/D) with a maximum acquisition speed of 1 GHz is presented. The problem of meta-stability has got special attention in this design, since this problem degrades the Spurious-Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) at high sampling frequencies. Measured SNDR (signal to noise plus distortion) is over 30 dB at 500 MHz clock and f/sub IN/=141 kHz. The measured SFDR for input frequencies up to 250 MHz is over 30 dB. The chip has been processed in a standard 0.35 /spl mu/m CMOS technology with double poly and occupies an active area of 0.8 mm/sup 2/.