Large Analog Bandwidth Recorder and Digitizer with Ordered Readout (LABRADOR) ASIC

This article describes the most recent generation of full-custom analog integrated circuit that is intended for low-power, high-speed sampling of Radio-Frequency (RF) transients in excess of the Nyquist minimum. A direct descendant of the Self-Triggered Recorder for Analog Waveforms (STRAW) architecture, and earlier variants of the LABRADOR (Large Analog Bandwidth Recorder and Digitizer with Ordered Readout) architecture, this design is distinguished in that readout speed is improved and dynamic range extended by providing direct digitization inside each storage cell. While direct analog access to the stored values is lost, the simplifications gained by not transferring the small analog storage values result in operational ease. In addition to the 8 RF channels, a 9 “timing” channel has been added to provide better system timing. A nominal conversion cycle requires 100μs, with an additional 50μs required for data transfer.