Abstract :
In a groundbreaking and now classic 1977 paper, Eric Vittoz and J. Fellrath meticulously characterized and developed models for devices operating in the weak inversion region, as well as a variety of circuit building blocks that could operate and exploit the exponential characteristics in this region. Their killer application -- the electronic watch -- employed techniques that are now used in a score of low-voltage, micropower applications, such as biomedical devices, hearing aids, pagers, sensor interfaces, motion detectors for pointing devices, and a variety of portable instruments. This tribute to Vittoz as an educator and industrial researcher is by Yannis Tsividis of Columbia University, an esteemed scientist and educator in his own right.
