The Boeing Company
Clocking circuit and method for time-interleaved analog-to-digital converters

Abstract:

A time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a plurality of ADCs, an open-loop clocking circuit, and a time-multiplexing circuit. The plurality of ADCs receive an analog input signal. Each ADC is configured to sample the analog input signal upon receipt of a respective clock signal. The open-loop clocking circuit receives a main clock signal having a reference frequency, and then divides the main clock signal into a sequential plurality of respective clock signals, each having a frequency lower than the reference frequency, and each triggered by one other respective clock signal starting from the main clock signal. The open-loop clocking circuit then distributes the plurality of respective clock signals to the plurality of ADCs. The time-multiplexing circuit is coupled to the plurality of ADCs and is configured to combine respective digital output signals from the plurality of ADCs into a time series.