Analysis and design of highly linear triode‐mode based OTA and its application to a wide tunable Gm‐C filter

Abstract

SummaryIn this paper, a new highly linear operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) based on triode‐mode input transistors is introduced. An analysis based on theoretical relations and simulation results is presented that aims to obtain the best operating points of triode‐mode and cascode transistors to achieve the highest linearity. The proposed analysis is utilized to design a linear pseudo‐differential OTA, benefiting a linear common mode feedforward and an appropriate common mode feedback circuit. The common mode feedforward circuit is also regulated in the same manner as main the transconductor to stabilize the output common mode voltage during tuning action and achieve higher common mode rejection ratio. Proposed OTA is used to implement a tunable low‐power linear Gm‐C filter. The cutoff frequency of the filter is tunable from 2.7 to 44 MHz while its power consumption changes from 3.5 to 8.5 mW in the entire tuning range. By applying input voltages up to 1.1 Vp‐p, the filter's IM3 remains less than −48 dB for various cutoff frequencies. The proposed OTA and filter are simulated in 0.18‐μm CMOS technology with Hspice simulator. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.