A pipeline ADC implemented with both general charge redistribution stages and
flip-around
charge redistribution stages. Using the flip-around charge redistribution stages
leads to reduced power/area consumption, but could lead to accumulation and propagation
of errors. general charge redistribution stages are used to control/contain the
errors. As a result, the ADC is implemented to achieve an acceptable bit error
and power efficiency combination. According to another aspect of the present invention,
the first stage is implemented as a flip-around charge redistribution stage (in
combination with general charge redistribution stages in subsequent stages) since
there is no accumulation of error from prior stages, and implementing the first
stage as a flip-around charge redistribution stage gives maximum advantages in
power efficiency.