A Novel Automatic Quality Factor Tuning Scheme for a Low-Power Wideband Active-RC Filter

Abstract

A novel automatic quality factor (Q) tuning scheme for an low-power and wideband active-RC filter is presented. Although Q-tuning is effective to reduce the power consumption of wideband active-RC filters, there are several problems since the Q-tuning normally relies on a magnitude locked loop (MLL). MLL is not accurate due to the amplitude detection circuits, and occupied area and power consumption tends to be large due to its complexity. In addition, flexibility to the reference signal may be the problem, since the reference signal which has a fixed accurate frequency is required. In order to solve these problems, we propose a Q-tuning scheme, which does not require a MLL. Therefore, proposed Q-tuning scheme has good accuracy, small die area, low power consumption and flexibility to the reference signal. In our proposed scheme, Q is tuned by adjusting the phase of an integrator to 90 degrees. The phase of an integrator is adjusted by detecting and controlling the oscillation frequency of a two-stage ring-integrator to the cutoff frequency of a filter, since the phase shift of an integrator is exactly 90 degrees at the oscillation frequency. The frequency is easily detected and controlled by counters and variable resistors, respectively. The Q-tuning circuit with a 5th-order Chebyshev LPF is implemented in a 0.13 μm CMOS technology. The tuning circuit occupies 0.12 mm 2 and consumes 2.6 mW from 1.2 V supply.