Design, fabrication, and evaluation of 2- and 3-bit GaAs MESFET analog-to-digital converter IC's

the analog-to-digital converter (A/D) is a critical component of a signal processing system. GHz-rate A/D's will be required in many future systems. While Si bipolar based A/D's can easily meet 4-6-bit resolution requirements, excessive power dissipation (1 W per bit) limits their operation to 100-400-MHz sampling rates. Recently, GaAs MESFET's have demonstrated high frequency operation with relatively low power dissipation. This paper describes the design of 2- and 3-bit A/D's using GaAs MESFET's. Monolithic integrated A/D circuits were fabricated and successfully operated at gigahertz sampling rates. This sampling rate is the highest reported for any A/D technology at room temperature. The power dissipation is 150-200 mW per bit. With further improvements in comparator sensitivity, the design can be extended to 4-bit A/D for GHz rate operation.