Ultra-low-power, class-AB, CMOS four-quadrant current multiplier

Abstract

A class-AB four-quadrant current multiplier constituted by a class-AB current amplifier and a current splitter which can handle input signals in excess of ten times the bias current is presented. The proposed circuit operation is based on the exponential characteristic of BJTs or subthreshold MOSFETs. The multiplier is designed using the latter devices and achieves very low power consumption. Simulation results show that from a 0.65 V supply, the proposed circuit consumes 12.4 nW static power while less than 30 dB total harmonic distortion is achieved for an input modulation index up to 10.