Analyzing sigma-delta ADCs in deep-submicron CMOS technologies

Sigma-delta (SD) analog-to-digital-converters are critical components in wireless transceivers. This study shows that a continuous-time, single-loop, single-bit SD ADC is suitable for wireless applications demanding less than 5 MHz conversion bandwidth (GSM Bluetooth, W-CDMA, etc.). On the other hand, for applications that require bandwidth conversion higher than 5 MHz (WLAN), the use of a CT single-loop, multibit SD ADC is recommended.