Low-power asymmetric switching scheme with segmented capacitive architecture for SAR ADCs

Abstract

In this paper, an energy-efficient asymmetric switching scheme with segmented capacitive architecture in successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) is proposed for biomedical applications. Based on the segmented digital-to-analog converter architecture, the proposed method curtails the area overhead by 92% in comparison with the conventional switching method. Additionally, combining a new tri-level switching scheme, the one-side technique and the split-MSB mode, the proposed asymmetric switching scheme achieves 99.68% less switching energy over the conventional SAR ADC.