What This Document Is
This document contains lecture materials from an Introduction to Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) course at the University of California, Berkeley (ELENG 247A). Specifically, it represents a full class session focused on Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) technologies. It delves into the core principles and practical considerations surrounding data conversion, a critical component in many MEMS systems for interfacing with the analog world. The material is presented at a graduate level, assuming a foundational understanding of analog circuit design.
Why This Document Matters
This resource is invaluable for students enrolled in advanced undergraduate or graduate-level courses on MEMS, analog circuit design, or signal processing. It’s particularly helpful for those seeking a deeper understanding of the building blocks of data acquisition systems. Engineers working on projects involving sensor interfaces, data logging, or control systems will also find the concepts discussed here highly relevant. Reviewing this material can strengthen your understanding before exams, while working on related projects, or as a reference for future design work.
Topics Covered
* Comparator Architectures and Design
* Techniques for improving Flash ADC efficiency
* Offset Cancellation methods in ADC design
* Cascaded Gain Stage configurations for comparators
* Latched Comparator operation and analysis
* Latch Delay characteristics and optimization
* Sources of error in Flash ADCs, including sparkle code and metastability
* Trade-offs in offset cancellation techniques
What This Document Provides
* Detailed explanations of key ADC concepts.
* Circuit-level insights into comparator design and optimization.
* Analysis of different offset cancellation strategies.
* Comparative performance characteristics of various ADC architectures.
* References to seminal research papers in the field.
* Visual aids, including diagrams and schematics, to illustrate complex concepts.
