Design of a High-performance Envelope Detector

A novel envelope detector structure is proposed in this paper that overcomes the traditional trade-off required in these circuits, improving both the tracking and keeping of the signal. The method relies on holding the signal by two capacitors, discharging one when the other is in hold mode and employing the held signals to form the output. Simulation results show a saving greater than 60% of the capacitor area for the same ripple (0.3%) and a release time constant (0.4¿s) much smaller than that obtained by the conventional circuits.