On-chip stimuli generation for ADC dynamic test by ΣΔ technique

This paper presents application of the ΣΔ modulation technique to the on-chip dynamic test for A/D converters. The wanted stimulus such as a single- or two-tone signal is encoded into one-bit ΣΔ sequence, which after simple low-pass filtering is applied to the circuit under test with low noise and without distortion. In this way a large dynamic range is achieved making the performance harmonic- and intermodulation dynamic test viable. By a systematic approach we select the order and type of a ΣΔ modulator, and develop the frequency plan suitable for spectral measurements on a chip. The technique is illustrated by simulation of a practical ADC under test.