A 5-GHz SiGe HBT return-to-zero comparator

Abstract

A monolithic comparator implemented in a SiGe HBT technology is presented. The circuit employs a resettable slave stage, which was carefully designed to produce return-to-zero output data. Operation with sampling rates up to 5-GHz has been demonstrated. The comparator chip has an input range of 1.5 V, dissipates 89 mW from a 3-volt supply, and occupies a die area of 407/spl times/143 /spl mu/m/sup 2/.