Efficient and accurate testing of analog-to-digital converters using oscillation-test method
Karim Arabi, Bożena Kamińska · 1997
This paper describes a practical test approach for analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) based on the oscillation-test strategy. The oscillation-test is applied to convert the ADC under test to an oscillator. The oscillation frequencies are able to monitor the ADC conversion rate, differential nonlinearity (DNL) and integral nonlinearity (INL) at each quantization band edge (QBE). Using this method, no analog stimulus should be supplied and therefore the need for a costly precision signal generator is eliminated. Besides, as the oscillation frequency is evaluated using pure digital circuitry, test accuracy is increased. This test approach is not limited to a special kind of ADC. Simulations and practical implementation prove the efficiency of the proposed test approach for ADCs. 1 Introduction Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are the most frequently encountered mixed-signal circuits. ADCs are precision products and their test requires reference circuits with at least two more bits ...