How Does a Flash ADC Work?
A flash ADC is also called a “parallel encoder.” The key advantage of this architecture is very fast conversion times. The main disadvantage is high power consumption. A flash ADC is suited for very-high-speed, low-resolution applications. This architecture becomes prohibitively expensive for higher resolutions. The MAX104 is an example of a flash ADC. The MAX109 is an RF/IF sampling, 8-bit, 2.2Gsps flash converter with 44dB SNR beyond Nyquist. Refer to the application note 810, “Understanding Flash ADCs.” For additional information, refer to The Art of Electronics.
