An analog-to-
digital converter system [50D]
processing an input
signal, g, which can be either a discrete-time or a continuous-
time signal. A first quantizer [154] generates a first
digital signal, d0(k), representing the sum of the input
signal, g, and a dithering
signal, y0. A digital-to-analog converter [156] generates an
analog feedback signal, alpha, representing accurately the first
digital signal, d0(k). The DAC [156] may be linearized by the use of mismatch-shaping techniques. A filter [158] generates the dithering signal, y0, by selectively amplifying in the
signal band the residue signal, r0, defined as the difference of the input signal, g, and the
analog feedback signal, alpha. Optional signal paths [166][168] are used to minimize the closed-loop
signal transfer function from g to y0, which ideally will be zero. An analog compensation signal, m0, which is described by a well-controlled relationship to the residue signal, r0, is extracted from the filter [158]. Ideally, the closed-loop
signal transfer function from g to m0 will be zero, or at least small in the
signal band. A second quantizer [160] converts the analog compensation signal, m0, into a second
digital signal, dm0(k). The two digital signals, d0(k) and dm0(k), are filtered individually and then added to form the overall output signal, dg(k). The second
digital filter [164] has a low signal-band
gain, which implies that the sensitivity to signal-band errors caused by the second quantizer [160] will be low. The output signal, dg(k), is a highly-accurate high-resolution representation of the input signal, g. Circuit imperfections, such as mismatch,
gain errors, and nonlinearities, will cause only
noise-like errors having a very low spectral
power density in the
signal band.The invention facilitates the implementation of uncalibrated highly-linear high-resolution wide-bandwidth A / D
converters [50D], e.g., for use in digital communication systems, such as xDSL modems and other demanding
consumer-market products for which low cost is of the essence.