High frequency applications based on a new current controlled conveyor

When the mixed translinear loop is used in a voltage follower implementation the value of its output resistance depends on its bias current. This property is used in the realization of a current controlled conveyor (CCCII), which has therefore its serial resistance on port X controlled by the bias current. The two basic implementations, that allow from a CCCII and without additive resistances to realize controlled voltage-current converters, are described. A current-controlled voltage-amplifier and a current-controlled current-amplifier are then analyzed. They are implemented from only two CCCIIs and do not require any passive component. The principal implementations for current controlled first-order transfer functions, operating either in voltage-mode or in current-mode, are introduced. They require one or two of the preceding controlled conveyors and use capacitors only. SPICE simulation results, obtained using the parameters of the HF3CMOS process from SGS THOMSON, are given for the CCCII and for its main applications. They confirm the validity of the theoretical analyzes and also underline the high frequency potential of the current controlled implementations introduced. A second-order bandpass filter, operating in voltage-mode, is also described. It is obtained from CCCIIs and two capacitors only. Its centre frequency, which is adjustable by acting on the control currents of the conveyors, is equal to 11.3 MHz for I₀=20 μA and to 16.6 MHz for I₀=30 μA. This variation produces very small changes in both the quality factor and the gain (variations less than 7%). Comparisons between existing OTA circuits and the ones implemented from controlled conveyors, are also given. They underline the advantage which result from implementations using controlled conveyors