—For　high-precision　sensor　applications,　high　dynamic　range　discrete-time　delta-sigma　modulators　(DSMs)　are　key　components.　For　the　design　of　high　dynamic　range　DSMs,　the　system　architecture　is　crucial.　The　system　requires　strong　in-band　noise　suppression　for　small　input　amplitudes　and　a　large　maximum　stable　amplitude　(MSA)　for　large　input　amplitudes.　This　article　presents　the　system　design　and　optimization　method　of　discrete-time　delta-sigma　modulator.　It　provides　a　detailed　discussion　on　the　behavior-level　modeling　and　characteristics　of　low-bit　and　multi-bit　quantizers.　Additionally,　design　considerations　of　quantizers　in　DSM　systems　are　analyzed.　An　approach　for　optimizing　DSM　systems　by　leveraging　the　properties　of　quantizers　is　proposed,　along　with　a　simple　optimization　case　study.　Potential　future　application　scenarios　are　also　presented.　The　purpose　of　this　article　is　to　offer　design　guidelines　for　developing　well-performing　DSMs　systems.　©　2024　Elsevier　Ltd