Voltage-Mode Multifunction Biquadratic Filters Using New Ultra-Low-Power Differential Difference Current Conveyors

This paper presents two low-power voltage-mode multifunction biquadratic filters using differential difference current conveyors. Each proposed circuit employs three differential difference current conveyors, two grounded capacitors and two grounded resistors. The low-voltage ultra-low-power differential difference current conveyor is used to provide low-power consumption of the proposed filters. By appropriately connecting the input and output terminals, the proposed filters can provide low-pass, band-pass, high-pass, band-stop and all-pass voltage responses at high-input terminals, which is a desirable feature for voltage-mode operations. The natural frequency and the quality factor can be orthogonally set by adjusting the circuit components. For realizing all the filter responses, no inverting-type input signal requirements as well as no component-matching conditional requirements are imposed. The incremental parameter sensitivities are also low. The characteristics of the proposed circuits are simulated by using PSPICE simulators to confirm the presented theory

Minimum Configuration Insensitive Multifunctional Current-Mode Biquad Using Current Conveyors and All-Grounded Passive Components

This paper proposes a new current conveyorbased high-output impedance single-input three-output current mode filter with minimum configuration. It contains two dual output second generation current conveyors, one third generation dual output current conveyor, and four grounded resistors and capacitors. The circuit simultaneously provides low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass filtering outputs, without any passive component matching conditions and restrictions on input signals. Additionally, the proposed circuit offers following advantages: Minimum active and passive element count, high output and low input impedances, suitable for cascading identical currentmode sections, all passive elements are grounded (no virtual grounding), low natural frequency and Q-factor sensitivities. The influences of non-ideal current conveyors on the proposed circuit are researched in the last

Tunable Mixed-Mode Voltage Differencing Buffered Amplifier-Based Universal Filter with Independently High-Q Factor Controllability

This paper proposes the design of a mixed-mode universal biquad configuration, which realizes generic filter functions in all four possible modes, namely voltage mode (VM), current mode (CM), transadmittance mode (TAM), and transimpedance mode (TIM). The filter architecture employs two voltage differencing buffered amplifiers (VDBAs), two resistors and two capacitors, and can provide lowpass (LP), bandpass (BP), highpass (HP), bandstop (BS), and allpass (AP) biquadratic filtering responses without any circuit alteration. All passive elements used are grounded, except VM. The circuit not only allows for the electronic tuning of the natural angular frequency (o), but also achieves orthogonal tunability of the quality factor (Q). It also provides the feature of availability of output voltage at the low-output impedance terminal in VM and TIM, and does not require inverting-type or double-type input signals to realize all the responses. Moreover, in all modes of operation, the high-Q filter can be easily obtained by adjusting a single resistance value. Influences of the VDBA nonidealities and parasitic elements are also discussed in detail. PSPICE simulations with TSMC 0.18-µm CMOS process parameters and experimental testing results with commercially available IC LT1228s have been used to validate the theoretical predictions

Condition of phase angle for a new VDGA-based multiphase variable phase shift oscillator from 0o to 90o

A novel interesting type of variable phase angle voltage mode oscillator using modern building block has been presented in this paper. The new proposed oscillator configuration which uses four voltage differencing gain amplifier (VDGA) and two grounded capacitors can generate two sinusoidal signals that change out of phase by 0 to 90 degree. It has four floating and explicit voltage mode outputs where every two outputs have the same phase. The circuit is characterized by (i) the condition of phase angle of the oscillation (PO) (this concept is introduced for the first time in this paper) can be tuned electronically (ii) the gain of the floating outputs can be controlled independently (iii) it provides electronic control of condition of oscillation (CO) and independent control of frequency of oscillation (FO). The Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of the output waveforms was obtained and the results were reasonability values (less than 4.5%). The non-ideal analysis and simulation results are investigated and confirmed the theoretical analysis based upon VDGAs implementable in 0.35μm CMOS technology. Simulation results include time response and frequency response outputs generated by using the PSPICE program

Low Voltage Low Power Analogue Circuits Design

Disertační práce je zaměřena na výzkum nejběžnějších metod, které se využívají při návrhu analogových obvodů s využití nízkonapěťových (LV) a nízkopříkonových (LP) struktur. Tyto LV LP obvody mohou být vytvořeny díky vyspělým technologiím nebo také využitím pokročilých technik návrhu. Disertační práce se zabývá právě pokročilými technikami návrhu, především pak nekonvenčními. Mezi tyto techniky patří využití prvků s řízeným substrátem (bulk-driven - BD), s plovoucím hradlem (floating-gate - FG), s kvazi plovoucím hradlem (quasi-floating-gate - QFG), s řízeným substrátem s plovoucím hradlem (bulk-driven floating-gate - BD-FG) a s řízeným substrátem s kvazi plovoucím hradlem (quasi-floating-gate - BD-QFG). Práce je také orientována na možné způsoby implementace známých a moderních aktivních prvků pracujících v napěťovém, proudovém nebo mix-módu. Mezi tyto prvky lze začlenit zesilovače typu OTA (operational transconductance amplifier), CCII (second generation current conveyor), FB-CCII (fully-differential second generation current conveyor), FB-DDA (fully-balanced differential difference amplifier), VDTA (voltage differencing transconductance amplifier), CC-CDBA (current-controlled current differencing buffered amplifier) a CFOA (current feedback operational amplifier). Za účelem potvrzení funkčnosti a chování výše zmíněných struktur a prvků byly vytvořeny příklady aplikací, které simulují usměrňovací a induktanční vlastnosti diody, dále pak filtry dolní propusti, pásmové propusti a také univerzální filtry. Všechny aktivní prvky a příklady aplikací byly ověřeny pomocí PSpice simulací s využitím parametrů technologie 0,18 m TSMC CMOS. Pro ilustraci přesného a účinného chování struktur je v disertační práci zahrnuto velké množství simulačních výsledků.The dissertation thesis is aiming at examining the most common methods adopted by analog circuits' designers in order to achieve low voltage (LV) low power (LP) configurations. The capability of LV LP operation could be achieved either by developed technologies or by design techniques. The thesis is concentrating upon design techniques, especially the non–conventional ones which are bulk–driven (BD), floating–gate (FG), quasi–floating–gate (QFG), bulk–driven floating–gate (BD–FG) and bulk–driven quasi–floating–gate (BD–QFG) techniques. The thesis also looks at ways of implementing structures of well–known and modern active elements operating in voltage–, current–, and mixed–mode such as operational transconductance amplifier (OTA), second generation current conveyor (CCII), fully–differential second generation current conveyor (FB–CCII), fully–balanced differential difference amplifier (FB–DDA), voltage differencing transconductance amplifier (VDTA), current–controlled current differencing buffered amplifier (CC–CDBA) and current feedback operational amplifier (CFOA). In order to confirm the functionality and behavior of these configurations and elements, they have been utilized in application examples such as diode–less rectifier and inductance simulations, as well as low–pass, band–pass and universal filters. All active elements and application examples have been verified by PSpice simulator using the 0.18 m TSMC CMOS parameters. Sufficient numbers of simulated plots are included in this thesis to illustrate the precise and strong behavior of structures.

Circuits for Analog Signal Processing Employing Unconventional Active Elements

Disertační práce se zabývá zaváděním nových struktur moderních aktivních prvků pracujících v napěťovém, proudovém a smíšeném režimu. Funkčnost a chování těchto prvků byly ověřeny prostřednictvím SPICE simulací. V této práci je zahrnuta řada simulací, které dokazují přesnost a dobré vlastnosti těchto prvků, přičemž velký důraz byl kladen na to, aby tyto prvky byly schopny pracovat při nízkém napájecím napětí, jelikož poptávka po přenosných elektronických zařízeních a implantabilních zdravotnických přístrojích stále roste. Tyto přístroje jsou napájeny bateriemi a k tomu, aby byla prodloužena jejich životnost, trend navrhování analogových obvodů směřuje k stále většímu snižování spotřeby a napájecího napětí. Hlavním přínosem této práce je návrh nových CMOS struktur: CCII (Current Conveyor Second Generation) na základě BD (Bulk Driven), FG (Floating Gate) a QFG (Quasi Floating Gate); DVCC (Differential Voltage Current Conveyor) na základě FG, transkonduktor na základě nové techniky BD_QFG (Bulk Driven_Quasi Floating Gate), CCCDBA (Current Controlled Current Differencing Buffered Amplifier) na základě GD (Gate Driven), VDBA (Voltage Differencing Buffered Amplifier) na základě GD a DBeTA (Differential_Input Buffered and External Transconductance Amplifier) na základě BD. Dále je uvedeno několik zajímavých aplikací užívajících výše jmenované prvky. Získané výsledky simulací odpovídají teoretickým předpokladům.The dissertation thesis deals with implementing new structures of modern active elements working in voltage_, current_, and mixed mode. The functionality and behavior of these elements have been verified by SPICE simulation. Sufficient numbers of simulated plots are included in this thesis to illustrate the precise and strong behavior of those elements. However, a big attention to implement active elements by utilizing LV LP (Low Voltage Low Power) techniques is given in this thesis. This attention came from the fact that growing demand of portable electronic equipments and implantable medical devices are pushing the development towards LV LP integrated circuits because of their influence on batteries lifetime. More specifically, the main contribution of this thesis is to implement new CMOS structures of: CCII (Current Conveyor Second Generation) based on BD (Bulk Driven), FG (Floating Gate) and QFG (Quasi Floating Gate); DVCC (Differential Voltage Current Conveyor) based on FG; Transconductor based on new technique of BD_QFG (Bulk Driven_Quasi Floating Gate); CCCDBA (Current Controlled Current Differencing Buffered Amplifier) based on conventional GD (Gate Driven); VDBA (Voltage Differencing Buffered Amplifier) based on GD. Moreover, defining new active element i.e. DBeTA (Differential_Input Buffered and External Transconductance Amplifier) based on BD is also one of the main contributions of this thesis. To confirm the workability and attractive properties of the proposed circuits many applications were exhibited. The given results agree well with the theoretical anticipation.

Power-efficient current-mode analog circuits for highly integrated ultra low power wireless transceivers

In this thesis, current-mode low-voltage and low-power techniques have been applied to implement novel analog circuits for zero-IF receiver backend design, focusing on amplification, filtering and detection stages. The structure of the thesis follows a bottom-up scheme: basic techniques at device level for low voltage low power operation are proposed in the first place, followed by novel circuit topologies at cell level, and finally the achievement of new designs at system level. At device level the main contribution of this work is the employment of Floating-Gate (FG) and Quasi-Floating-Gate (QFG) transistors in order to reduce the power consumption. New current-mode basic topologies are proposed at cell level: current mirrors and current conveyors. Different topologies for low-power or high performance operation are shown, being these circuits the base for the system level designs. At system level, novel current-mode amplification, filtering and detection stages using the former mentioned basic cells are proposed. The presented current-mode filter makes use of companding techniques to achieve high dynamic range and very low power consumption with for a very wide tuning range. The amplification stage avoids gain bandwidth product achieving a constant bandwidth for different gain configurations using a non-linear active feedback network, which also makes possible to tune the bandwidth. Finally, the proposed current zero-crossing detector represents a very power efficient mixed signal detector for phase modulations. All these designs contribute to the design of very low power compact Zero-IF wireless receivers. The proposed circuits have been fabricated using a 0.5μm double-poly n-well CMOS technology, and the corresponding measurement results are provided and analyzed to validate their operation. On top of that, theoretical analysis has been done to fully explore the potential of the resulting circuits and systems in the scenario of low-power low-voltage applications.Programa Oficial de Doctorado en Tecnologías de las Comunicaciones (RD 1393/2007)Komunikazioen Teknologietako Doktoretza Programa Ofiziala (ED 1393/2007

Analog baseband circuits for WCDMA direct-conversion receivers

This thesis describes the design and implementation of analog baseband circuits for low-power single-chip WCDMA direct-conversion receivers. The reference radio system throughout the thesis is UTRA/FDD. The analog baseband circuit consists of two similar channels, which contain analog channel-select filters, programmable-gain amplifiers, and circuits that remove DC offsets. The direct-conversion architecture is described and the UTRA/FDD system characteristics are summarized. The UTRA/FDD specifications define the performance requirement for the whole receiver. Therefore, the specifications for the analog baseband circuit are obtained from the receiver requirements through calculations performed by hand. When the power dissipation of an UTRA/FDD direct-conversion receiver is minimized, the design parameters of an all-pole analog channel-select filter and the following Nyquist rate analog-to-digital converter must be considered simultaneously. In this thesis, it is shown that minimum power consumption is achieved with a fifth-order lowpass filter and a 15.36-MS/s Nyquist rate converter that has a 7- or 8-bit resolution. A fifth-order Chebyshev prototype with a passband ripple of 0.01 dB and a −3-dB frequency of 1.92-MHz is adopted in this thesis. The error-vector-magnitude can be significantly reduced by using a first-order 1.4-MHz allpass filter. The selected filter prototype fulfills all selectivity requirements in the analog domain. In this thesis, all the filter implementations use the opamp-RC technique to achieve insensitivity to parasitic capacitances and a high dynamic range. The adopted technique is analyzed in detail. The effect of the finite opamp unity-gain bandwidth on the filter frequency response can be compensated for by using passive methods. Compensation schemes that also track the process and temperature variations have been developed. The opamp-RC technique enables the implementation of low-voltage filters. The design and simulation results of a 1.5-V 2-MHz lowpass filter are discussed. The developed biasing scheme does not use any additional current to achieve the low-voltage operation, unlike the filter topology published previously elsewhere. Methods for removing DC offsets in UTRA/FDD direct-conversion receivers are presented. The minimum areas for cascaded AC couplings and DC-feedback loops are calculated. The distortion of the frequency response of a lowpass filter caused by a DC-feedback loop connected over the filter is calculated and a method for compensating for the distortion is developed. The time constant of an AC coupling can be increased using time-constant multipliers. This enables the implementation of AC couplings with a small silicon area. Novel time-constant multipliers suitable for systems that have a continuous reception, such as UTRA/FDD, are presented. The proposed time-constant multipliers only require one additional amplifier. In an UTRA/FDD direct-conversion receiver, the reception is continuous. In a low-power receiver, the programmable baseband gain must be changed during reception. This may produce large, slowly decaying transients that degrade the receiver performance. The thesis shows that AC-coupling networks and DC-feedback loops can be used to implement programmable-gain amplifiers, which do not produce significant transients when the gain is altered. The principles of operation, the design, and the practical implementation issues of these amplifiers are discussed. New PGA topologies suitable for continuously receiving systems have been developed. The behavior of these circuits in the presence of strong out-of-channel signals is analyzed. The interface between the downconversion mixers and the analog baseband circuit is discussed. The effect of the interface on the receiver noise figure and the trimming of mixer IIP2 are analyzed. The design and implementation of analog baseband circuits and channel-select filters for UTRA/FDD direct-conversion receivers are discussed in five application cases. The first case presents the analog baseband circuit for a chip-set receiver. A channel-select filter that has an improved dynamic range with a smaller supply current is presented next. The third and fifth application cases describe embedded analog baseband circuits for single-chip receivers. In the fifth case, the dual-mode analog baseband circuit of a quad-mode receiver designed for GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900, and UTRA/FDD cellular systems is described. A new, highly linear low-power transconductor is presented in the fourth application case. The fourth application case also describes a channel-select filter. The filter achieves +99-dBV out-of-channel IIP2, +45-dBV out-of-channel IIP3 and 23-μVRMS input-referred noise with 2.6-mA current from a 2.7-V supply. In the fifth application case, a corresponding performance is achieved in UTRA/FDD mode. The out-of-channel IIP2 values of approximately +100 dBV achieved in this work are the best reported so far. This is also the case with the figure of merits for the analog channel-select filter and analog baseband circuit described in the fourth and fifth application cases, respectively. For equal power dissipation, bandwidth, and filter order, these circuits achieve approximately 10 dB and 15 dB higher spurious-free dynamic ranges, respectively, when compared to implementations that are published elsewhere and have the second best figure of merits.reviewe