IP developer Chipidea has introduced a portfolio of sigma-delta analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that are programmable for either high-performance or low power consumption for applications ranging from cellular communications to mobile TV, FM radio and Wi-Fi. These cores are optimized for high resolution and lower power in signal bands up to 10 MHz and are designed to complement high-speed ADC converters based on pipeline technology.

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The programmability of the new sigma-delta ADCs support a multitude of standards with signal bandwidths ranging from 100 kHz to 10 MHz. This programmability provides chip designers with the maximum flexibility to configure their systems to support various standards including EGPRS, CDMA, and WCDMA/UMTS for cellular communications; mobile TV; Wi-Fi and WiMAX, FM radio, and other general purpose applications. Furthermore, these IP blocks can be configured for either high-performance or low power consumption for each of the applications and frequency ranges to maximize battery life. Integrated programmable decimation filters aid in the support of several standards.

Chipidea offers this ADC as a fully integrated block in standard digital CMOS, which eliminates extra process options during system-on-a chip (SoC) integration. These IP blocks are particularly suitable for SoC integration due to the inherent robustness of sigma-delta technology and good immunity to interference from power supplies and substrate noise. The converter IP can be offered as a single, standalone ADC, as a matched IQ-ADC or as part of a complete analog front-end, with a PLL for clock generation, and analog and digital filters. The IP is now available in 0.18-micron, 130-nm and 65-nm process technologies and is portable to any foundry processes in 130 nm, 90nm or 65 nm. The low power consumption benchmark for the sigma-delta ADCs is 4.5 mA for 64 dB in 3 MHz. This functionality is provided by a small IP block that measures less than 0.42 mm² due to efficient implementation and programmability.

Chipidea's CI3621tl and CI3621ul is a 13-11 bits, 120 MHz programmable sigma--delta ADC with 200 kHz and 4 MHz bandwidth. The CI3617tn is an 11 bits, 120 MHz sigma-delta ADC with 4 MHz bandwidth.