High-Speed, Low-Power ADC (9728)

Hittite proposes to develop a radiation-resistant, high-speed (> 2 Gs/s), high-resolution (12-bit), low-power (< 3 W) analog to digital converter (ADC) for satellite communications and other wide band digital receiver applications. No available ADC offers this combination of performance, power, and radiation tolerance. A combination of innovative design and advanced SiGe BiCMOS technology will be used to meet the performance and power goals in an ADC that is radiation resistant by design and technology. The ADC will reduce the size, weight, power, and cost of digital receivers by moving data conversion closer to the antenna, eliminating intermediate RF/IF stages. During Phase I a conceptual design will be developed and key cells simulated. Prototype ADCs will be designed during Phase II for use in satellites for the Air Force and other military and commercial applications.