Complementary Current Mirror Research Articles

A low-voltage design approach for class AB current-mode circuits

An approach for designing analog current-mode circuits with very-low supply voltage requirements is described and applied to the implementation of basic complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) building blocks. The method is based on a biasing circuit exploiting poly resistors and auxiliary differential amplifiers which restricts supply requirements to one threshold voltage plus three saturation voltages. As design examples, a complementary current mirror, a current operational amplifier, and a transconductor are implemented adopting the proposed technique. SPICE simulations using a 0.5-/spl mu/m process are provided which closely confirm the expected overall good performance of these circuits especially in terms of low-voltage capability and speed.

Dynamic biasing for true low-voltage CMOS class AB current-mode circuits

This paper presents a dynamic biasing approach for continuous-time CMOS class AB current-mode circuits. The method allows low voltage circuits to be implemented whose supply requirements are restricted to one threshold voltage plus two saturation voltages. Fundamental limitations of the approach are analyzed and found to be compatible with a wide spectrum of analog applications, some of which are briefly discussed. A complementary current mirror, a current comparator, and a current amplifier were designed using the proposed technique. SPICE simulations using a 0.8-/spl mu/m process are provided, which confirm the overall performance of these circuits especially in terms of low-voltage capability and speed without compromising linearity.

Class A/AB second-generation current conveyor withcontrolled current gain

A new second-generation current conveyor whose current transfer from X to Z is controlled by a current, is introduced. It functions in class A/AB and uses a mixed translinear loop and two complementary current mirrors with controlled gain. SPICE simulation results, are given. They underline the high potential of the circuit.

Frequency Tuning of Bipolar Ring Oscillators using Complementary Inverters and Current Mirror Inverters

Complementary bipolar devices are extensively used in analog/digital VLSI circuits. Three inverters, namely, Complementary Inverters (CI), Complementary Current Mirror Inverters (CCMI) and Diode Loaded Complementary Inverters (DLCI) which appear to be attractive for realization of ring oscillators have been simulated. Ring oscillators have been made using different combinations of high gain CI and large bandwidth CCMI. Various techniques of frequency tuning of such oscillators have been studied and the results presented. A PLL circuit has been implemented using a current controlled ring oscillator.

Voltage controlled oscillators using complementary current mirror inverter

Complementary current mirror inverters have large band-width, small time delay but small gain whereas complementary inverters have high gain but large time delay. Ring oscillators have been realised using a combination of both types of inverter to achieve stable high frequency oscillation. Voltage controlled oscillators were obtained by tuning the frequency of oscillation with supply voltage.

A translinear floating current-source with current-control

A current-controlled floating current-source using bipolar junction transistors is proposed. One translinear mixed cell (including PNP and NPN transistors) and four complementary current mirrors have been employed to implement it. Accuracy, wide bandwidth and low distortion are their more important qualities. The characteristics and the properties of the practical realization are presented and discussed.

Negative impedance converter with a translinear implementation

A new negative impedance converter circuit, which is a current inversion type (I-NIC), is described. The basic cell consists of a mixed translinear loop comprising two pnp and two npn bipolar transistors. This cell is used in conjunction with a constant current source and two complementary current mirrors. The characteristics and the properties of the practical realization are presented and discussed. A new bandpass filter, which is a current processing circuit, using the I-NIC and a current-controlled current source (CCCS) are also introduced. Experimental results are given.

Circuit technique for wide-range, linear, voltage-to-current convertors

A ‘current-balancing’ circuit technique, involving the use of an emitter-follower and two complementary current mirrors, facilitates the design of a voltage-to-current convertor in which the input voltage control range extends down to within a few tens of millivolts of earth potential despite the use of a single system rail supply.