Multisensor readout circuit using a multiple differential-input operation amplifier with pulse output

Abstract

In this paper, a CMOS multisensor readout circuit is presented. A multiple differential-input operational amplifier (MDI-OPA) with three distinct positive inputs and one common negative input is designed to make one of the three inputs to act as a general differential-input OPA through a built-in multiplexer. A voltage-to-current converter and a current-controlled oscillator are integrated with the MDI-OPA so that the selected analog input voltage can be used to generate a pulse output whose frequency is linearly proportional to the selected input voltage. The linearity of the transfer characteristic is at least 99.99% for input voltages below 1.44 V. An added current-offset structure is used to modify the transfer characteristic that usually varies owing to process variation. The measured output transfer characteristics of three input channels show nearly the same sensitivity of 90 Hz/mV or so with a linearity of at least 99.99% with the assistance of the current-offset mechanism.