Abstract

In this paper, a multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) circuit for low-power high-resolution CMOS algorithmic A/D converters (ADC's) is proposed. The proposed MDAC is designed to operte properly at a supply at a supply voltge between 3 V and 5 V and employs an analog0domain power reduction technique based on a bias switching circuit so that the total power consumption can be optimized. As metal-to-metal capacitors are implemented as frequency compensation capacitors, opamps' performance can be varied by imperfect process control. The MDAC minimizes the effects by the circuit performance variations with on-chip tuning circuits. The proposed low-power MDAC is implementd as a sub-block of a 10-bit 200kHz algorithmic ADC using a 0.6 um single-poly double-metal n-well CMOS technology. With the power-reduction technique enabled, the power consumption of the experimental ADC is reduced from 11mW to 7mW at a 3.3V supply voltage and the power reduction ratio of 36% is achieved.

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