Synthesis and Analysis of Circuits with Modern Active Elements

Disertační práce pojednává o návrhu a realizaci aktivních kmitočtových filtrů s proudovými (CC – Current Conveyor) a napěťovými konvejory (VC – Voltage Conveyor), dále pak s proudovými aktivními prvky CMI (Current Mirror and Inverter), MCMI (Multi-output CMI) a PCA (Programmable Current Amplifier). V úvodu práce jsou tyto aktivní prvky popsány jako elementy příhodné pro návrh obvodů pracujících v napěťovém, proudovém a smíšeném módu, resp. v tzv. čistě proudovém módu, jedná-li se o proudové aktivní prvky. Nové struktury kmitočtových filtrů s vybranými aktivními prvky uvedené v práci jsou navrženy použitím metod zobecněných autonomních obvodů, transformačních článků a grafů signálových toků. Zobecněná metoda autonomních obvodů je založena na tom, že je definována úplná admitanční síť, ke které je připojen zobecněný aktivní prvek či prvky. Definované admitanční sítě pak lze aplikovat pro různé aktivní prvky. Další metoda návrhu užívá transformační články, které jsou použity pro realizaci syntetických prvků s imitacemi vyšších řádů. Jsou uvedeny původní podmínky realizace těchto bloků, které vedou na maximální jednoduchost výsledné struktury s minimálním počtem pasivních a aktivních prvků. Pro efektivní využití další metody využívající grafů signálových toků jsou diskutovány nové redukované grafy vybraných aktivních prvků. Jejich použití vede na přímou syntézu funkčních bloků, které vykazují požadované vlastnosti. Činnost vybraných zapojení byla podrobena analýze v simulačních programech. Aktivní prvky byly přitom realizovány univerzálními proudovými (UCC) nebo napěťovými konvejory (UVC), které byly na našem pracovišti ve spolupráci s firmou AMI Semiconductor Design Centre v Brně navrženy a vyrobeny v technologii CMOS 0,35 m. Tyto aktivní prvky byly také použity k realizaci vybraných zapojení. Reálná měření byla provedeny ve frekvenční oblasti 10 kHz až 100 MHz.The dissertation thesis deals with the synthesis and design of active frequency filters using current (CC) and voltage (VC) conveyors, or current active elements CMI (Current Mirror and Inverter), MCMI (Multi-output CMI) and PCA (Programmable Current Amplifier). As introduction, these active elements are described as suitable for the design of the circuits working in the voltage-, current,- ,and mixed-mode, or in pure current-mode speaking about the current active elements. The new frequency filter structures presented in this thesis using the above mentioned active elements were designed by the generalized autonomous circuit method, transformation cells and signal flow-graph theory. The generalized autonomous circuit method is based on full admittance network to which generalized active elements are connected. The described admittance networks can be used for other active elements. The next method is based on the transformation cells that subsequently are used for the design of synthetic elements with higher-order imittance. Original conditions for the design of such blocks are given that lead to maximal simplicity of the final structure with minimal number of passive and active elements. For effective usage of another method utilizing signal flow-graphs, new reduced graphs of chosen active elements are given. Their usage leads to direct function blocks synthesis with required properties. The functionality and behavior of chosen circuit solutions have been verified by analyses in simulation programs. The active elements were simulated by the universal current conveyor (UCC) or universal voltage conveyors (UVC) that were designed at the FEEC, BUT in cooperation with AMI Semiconductor Design Centre Brno with the CMOS 0.35 m technology. These active elements have been also used for the realization of chosen filter structures. The experimental measurements were performed in the in the frequency range 10 KHz to 100 MHz.

Novel Floating General Element Simulators Using CBTA

In this study, a novel floating frequency dependent negative resistor (FDNR), floating inductor, floating capacitor and floating resistor simulator circuit employing two CBTAs and three passive components is proposed. The presented circuit can realize floating FDNR, inductor, capacitor or resistor depending on the passive component selection. Since the passive elements are all grounded, this circuit is suitable for fully integrated circuit design. The circuit does not require any component matching conditions, and it has a good sensitivity performance with respect to tracking errors. Moreover, the proposed FDNR, inductance, capacitor and resistor simulator can be tuned electronically by changing the biasing current of the CBTA or can be controlled through the grounded resistor or capacitor. The high-order frequency dependent element simulator circuit is also presented. Depending on the passive component selection, it realizes high-order floating circuit defining as V(s) = snAI(s) or V(s) = s-nBI(s). The proposed floating FDNR simulator circuit and floating high-order frequency dependent element simulator circuit are demonstrated by using PSPICE simulation for 0.25 μm, level 7, TSMC CMOS technology parameters

Universal Voltage Conveyor and its Novel Dual-Output Fully-Cascadable VM APF Application

This letter presents a novel realization of a voltage-mode (VM) first-order all-pass filter (APF) with attractive features. The proposed circuit employs a single readily available six-terminal active device called as universal voltage conveyor (UVC) and only grounded passive components, which predict its easy monolithic integration with desired circuit simplicity. The auxiliary voltage input (W) and output (ZP, ZN) terminals of the device fully ensure easy cascadability of VM APF, since the input and output terminal impedances are theoretically infinitely high and zero, respectively. Moreover, thanks to mutually inverse outputs of the UVC, the proposed filter simultaneously provides both inverting and non-inverting outputs from the same configuration. All of these features make the UVC a unique active device currently available in the literature. The behavior of the filter was experimentally measured using the readily available UVC-N1C 0520 chip, which was produced in cooperation with ON Semiconductor Czech Republic, Ltd.This letter presents a novel realization of a voltage-mode (VM) first-order all-pass filter (APF) with attractive features. The proposed circuit employs a single readily available six-terminal active device called as universal voltage conveyor (UVC) and only grounded passive components, which predict its easy monolithic integration with desired circuit simplicity. The auxiliary voltage input (W) and output (ZP, ZN) terminals of the device fully ensure easy cascadability of VM APF, since the input and output terminal impedances are theoretically infinitely high and zero, respectively. Moreover, thanks to mutually inverse outputs of the UVC, the proposed filter simultaneously provides both inverting and non-inverting outputs from the same configuration. All of these features make the UVC a unique active device currently available in the literature. The behavior of the filter was experimentally measured using the readily available UVC-N1C 0520 chip, which was produced in cooperation with ON Semiconductor Czech Republic, Ltd

A special issue on low - voltage low - power analog devices and their applications

It is well known that there is an increasing trend on the design of low-voltage low-power circuits due to the requirement of efficient portable electronic systems with long battery lifetime. For analog circuits, higher biasing current is needed to obtain the same performance with low supply voltages which, however, results in increasing the power consumption. On the other hand, lower biasing current restricts the dynamic range of the circuit, whereas with low supply voltages it is hard to keep all the transistors in saturation region. Thus, design techniques for low-voltage low-power operation are very important for analog circuit designers. In this Special Issue we deal with low-voltage low-power analog devices and their application

Universal Pseudo-Differential Filter Using DDCC and DVCCs

In the paper, a universal preudo-differential second-order filter operating in voltage mode, where both input and output are differential, is presented. The circuit is formed by one differential difference current conveyor (DDCC), two differential voltage current conveyors (DVCCs), and five passive elements. The filter is characterized by high input impedance, minimum number of passive elements that are all grounded, and high common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR). The proposed filter structure is able to realize all five standard frequency filter responses. Non-ideal analysis has been performed by considering the real parasitic parameters of the active elements. The optimization of passive element values has been done in terms of minimal shift of the pole-frequency and to obtain the maximum stop-band attenuation of the high-pass filter response. Functionality is verified by simulations and experimental measurements using readily available integrated circuit UCC-N1B 0520

Pseudo-differential filter operating in current mode

In the paper, the theory of pseudo-differential filters is examined and supported by designing a fourth-order frequency filter operating in current mode and implemented as cascade connection of two basic second-order blocks. The basic block employs three current conveyors as active elements and four passive elements. The filter is characterized by a high output impedance, and minimum number of passive elements, whereas capacitors are grounded. To prove the operability of the final filter, the partial second-order pseudo-differential filters were interconnected in four different ways. The simulation results of the each interconnection prove proper behavior of pseudo-differential filters in analogue signal processing

Systematic Design of Pseudo-Differential Frequency Filter

In the paper, the theory of systematic design frequency filters is described. The result is a fourth-order pseudo-differential frequency filter operating in the voltagemode and implemented as a cascade connection of two basic second-order blocks. The filter is able to realize the low-pass filtering functions. The basic block employs three active elements and four passive elements. The filter is characterized by a minimum number of passive elements and high output impedance. Filter analysis examines the magnitude, phase, common-mode rejection ratio signal, and behavior of filters while reducing the recommended voltage. The proper functionality of the filter is verified by simulations and experimental measurements for two different interconnections