2014 Volume E97.C Issue 5 Pages 438-443
An energy-efficient ΔΣ modulator using a novel switched-capacitor-based integrator has been investigated. The proposed dynamic integrator uses a common-source configuration, where a MOSFET turns off after the charge redistribution is completed. Thus, only the subthreshold current flows through the integrator, resulting in high energy efficiency. A constant threshold voltage works as the virtual ground in conventional opamp-based integrators. The performance has been estimated for a 2nd-order ΔΣ modulator by transistor-level circuit simulation assuming a 0.18-µm standard CMOS technology. An FOM of 29fJ/conv-step was obtained with a peak SNDR of 82.6dB for a bandwidth and a sampling frequency of 20kHz and 5MHz, respectively.