Current-mode piecewise-linear function generators

We present a systematic design technique for current-mode piecewise-linear (PWL) function generators. It uses two building blocks: a high-resolution current rectifier, and a programmable current amplifier. We show how to arrange these blocks to obtain basic non-linearities from which generic characteristics are built through aggregations. Measurements from a 1.0 /spl mu/m CMOS prototype chip show 10 pA resolution in the rectification operation and 0.6% non-linearity errors in the programmable scaling operation for 2 /spl mu/A input current range

Computing centroids in current-mode technique

A novel current-mode circuit for calculating the centre of mass of a discrete distribution of currents is described. It is simple and compact, an ideal building block for VLSI analogue IC design. The design principles are presented as well as the simulated behaviour of a one-dimensional implementation

Orbital current mode in elliptical quantum dots

An orbital current mode peculiar to deformed quantum dots is theoretically investigated; first by using a simple model that allows to interpret analytically its main characteristics, and second, by numerically solving the microscopic equations of time evolution after an initial perturbation within the time-dependent local-spin-density approximation. Results for different deformations and sizes are shown.Comment: 4 REVTEX pages, 4 PDF figures, accepted in PRB:R

CMOS current-mode chaotic neurons

This paper presents two nonlinear CMOS current-mode circuits that implement neuron soma equations for chaotic neural networks, and another circuit to realize programmable current-mode synapse using CMOS-compatible BJT's. They have been fabricated in a double-metal, single-poly 1.6 /spl mu/m CMOS technology and their measured performance reached the expected function and specifications. The neuron soma circuits use a novel, highly accurate CMOS circuit strategy to realize piecewise-linear characteristics in the current-mode domain. Their prototypes obtain reduced area and low voltage power supply (down to 3 V) with clock frequency of 500 kHz. As regard to the synapse circuit, it obtains large linearity and continuous, linear, weight adjustment by exploration of the exponential-law operation of CMOS-BJT's. The full accordance observed between theory and measurements supports the development of future analog VLSI chaotic neural networks to emulate biological systems and advanced computation

Current-Mode Techniques for the Implementation of Continuous- and Discrete-Time Cellular Neural Networks

This paper presents a unified, comprehensive approach to the design of continuous-time (CT) and discrete-time (DT) cellular neural networks (CNN) using CMOS current-mode analog techniques. The net input signals are currents instead of voltages as presented in previous approaches, thus avoiding the need for current-to-voltage dedicated interfaces in image processing tasks with photosensor devices. Outputs may be either currents or voltages. Cell design relies on exploitation of current mirror properties for the efficient implementation of both linear and nonlinear analog operators. These cells are simpler and easier to design than those found in previously reported CT and DT-CNN devices. Basic design issues are covered, together with discussions on the influence of nonidealities and advanced circuit design issues as well as design for manufacturability considerations associated with statistical analysis. Three prototypes have been designed for l.6-pm n-well CMOS technologies. One is discrete-time and can be reconfigured via local logic for noise removal, feature extraction (borders and edges), shadow detection, hole filling, and connected component detection (CCD) on a rectangular grid with unity neighborhood radius. The other two prototypes are continuous-time and fixed template: one for CCD and other for noise removal. Experimental results are given illustrating performance of these prototypes

Current-Carrying Zero Mode for the Nielsen-Olesen String

Zero modes of strings in the abelian Higgs model are analyzed. In spite of the fact that the gauge symmetry is not broken in the string center, the corresponding zero mode is shown to exist and to see it one has to analyze carefully the dependence on transverse coordinates for the excitations. The analysis of this kind is also important for the Witten model of superconducting string. Unusual properties of the zero modes connected with the broken gauge symmetry in the string background are investigated. One of the modes carries the current quite similar to that in the Witten model and gives back reaction to the string profile. It is claimed that the current in the string improves stability of the electroweak string.Comment: 10 pages, LATEX, no figures, submitted to Phys Lett

Current and Voltage Mode Multiphase Sinusoidal Oscillators Using CBTAs

Current-mode (CM) and voltage-mode (VM) multiphase sinusoidal oscillator (MSO) structures using current backward transconductance amplifier (CBTA) are proposed. The proposed oscillators can generate n current or voltage signals (n being even or odd) equally spaced in phase. n+1 CBTAs, n grounded capacitors and a grounded resistor are used for nth-state oscillator. The oscillation frequency can be independently controlled through transconductance (gm) of the CBTAs which are adjustable via their bias currents. The effects caused by the non-ideality of the CBTA on the oscillation frequency and condition have been analyzed. The performance of the proposed circuits is demonstrated on third-stage and fifth-stage MSOs by using PSPICE simulations based on the 0.25 µm TSMC level-7 CMOS technology parameters

Spin-torque effect on spin wave modes in magnetic nanowires

The interaction between a spin polarized dc electrical current and spin wave modes of a cylindrical nanowire is investigated in this report. We found that close to the critical current, the uniform mode is suppressed, while the edge mode starts to propagate into the sample. When the current exceeds the critical value, this phenomenon is even more accentuated. The edge mode becomes the uniform mode of the nanowire. The higher spin wave modes are slowly pushed away by the current until the propagating mode remains.Comment: 11 pages, 6 gigure