Specifying A/D Converters: Considerations for IF-Sampling Applications

Microwaves & RF, October, 2005 by Mistler, Joanne

Choosing the ADC with the highest resolution or sampling speed is often not enough to satisfy the performance demands presented by IF-sampling architectures. ADCs for IF-sampling applications must support high input frequencies while also maintaining adequate SNR, SFDR, and SINAD performance. These features enable designers to eliminate one or more mixing stages and simplify filtering, thereby reducing cost and helping to meet end-system objectives.

Wideband signals having complex modulation-such as those used in many wireless communications, instrumentation, and radar systems-can exhibit ...