1 V, 20 nW True RMS to DC Converter based on Third Order Dynamic Translinear Loop

Abstract

This paper presents a novel current-mode true RMS–DC converter based on the dynamic translinear principle. The converter is designed using a third-order translinear loop, resulting in a very compact and simple circuit. The proposed circuit is designed in 65 nm CMOS technology, operates with 1 V power supply, has only 14 transistors and performs satisfactorily over a wide input current range of 300 nA–950 nA and for a frequency range of 600 Hz–650 kHz for a capacitance value of 10 nF. The frequency range of operation can be tuned by varying the external off chip capacitor and the bias current. The circuit consumes 20 nW static power, 1.6 μW maximum dynamic power and offers the lowest FOM among the other RMS–DC converter circuits presented in the literature. Comprehensive mathematical analysis along with the post layout simulation results confirm the validity of the proposed circuit. To test the use of converter in real world scenarios, the proposed converter is introduced within a typical ECG detection system and the results show that the circuit is an attractive solution for RMS–DC conversion in low-voltage low-power applications.