This paper presents a new low-voltage versatile mixed-mode filter which uses a multiple-input/output differential difference transconductance amplifier (MIMO-DDTA). The multiple-input of the DDTA is realized using a multiple-input bulk-driven MOS transistor (MI-BD-MOST) technique to maintain a single differential pair, thereby achieving simple structure with minimal power consumption. In a single topology, the proposed filter can provide five standard filtering functions (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, band-stop, and all-pass) in four modes: voltage (VM), current (CM), transadmittance (TAM), and transimpedance (TIM). This provides the full capability of a mixed-mode filter (i.e., twenty filter functions). Moreover, the VM filter offers high-input and low-output impedances and the CM filter offers high-output impedance; therefore, no buffer circuit is needed. The natural frequency of all filtering functions can be electronically controlled by a setting current. The voltage supply is 0.5 V and for a 4 nA setting current, the power consumption of the filter was 281 nW. The filter is suitable for low-frequency biomedical and sensor applications that require extremely low supply voltages and nano-watt power consumption. For the VM low-pass filter, the dynamic range was 58.23 dB @ 1% total harmonic distortion. The proposed filter was designed and simulated in the Cadence Virtuoso System Design Platform using the 0.18 µm TSMC CMOS technology.

• Keywords
• differential difference transconductance amplifier, mixed-mode filter, operational transconductance amplifier, universal filter,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

This paper presents a versatile first-order analog filter using differential difference transconductance amplifiers (DDTAs). The DDTA employs the bulk-driven (BD) multiple-input MOS transistors technique (MI-MOST) operating in the subthreshold region. This results in low-voltage and low-power operational capability. Therefore, the DDTA, designed using 130 nm CMOS technology from UMC in the Cadence environment, operates with 0.3 V and consumes 357.4 nW. Unlike previous works, the proposed versatile first-order analog filter provides first-order transfer functions of low-pass, high-pass, and all-pass filters within a single topology. The non-inverting, inverting, and voltage gain of the transfer functions are available for all filters. Furthermore, the proposed structure provides high-input and low-output impedance, which is required for voltage-mode circuits. The pole frequency and voltage gain of the filters can be electronically controlled. The total harmonic distortion of the low-pass filter was calculated as -39.97 dB with an applied sine wave input signal of 50 mVpp@ 50 Hz. The proposed filter has been used to realize a quadrature oscillator to confirm the advantages of the new structure.

• Keywords
• analog filter, differential difference transconductance amplifier, low-voltage low-power circuit, voltage-mode circuit,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH