Introduction

Abstract

Information technology (IT) has demonstrated a tremendous growth in market value as well as in technical performance. The technical catalyst in the IT explosion is the constantly improved digital VLSI technology, where packing density, low-power and low cost have been key issues. As a result of this development, it has become possible to integrate extremely complex digital systems onto a single chip. The next goal is to enable one-chip system solutions by successfully integrate interfacing circuits such as A/D and D/A converters on the same chip as well. Developing analog interfacing circuits for mixed analog-digital integration is of fundamental importance to the future advance of microelectronics and information technology. First of all, the world around us — our ultimate source of information — is essentially analog in nature. Whenever an electronic system is interacting with the real world there is a need for interfacing circuits. Figure 1.1 illustrates some of the interaction between the analog and digital realms in today’s technology. Secondly, in order to cut manufacturing cost, which is particularly important for consumer products, and to minimize the power dissipation and weight of portable systems, the ultimate goal for many products is to have one-chip solutions whenever possible.