Negative Impedance Circuit With Constant-Gm Biasing for Amplifier Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operational amplifiers face challenges in reducing internal noise in output signals without increasing power dissipation, and existing negative resistance circuits are prone to instability due to variations in component values caused by process voltage or temperature changes.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of cross-coupled transistor circuits biased with constant-Gm biasing, which provide a small signal negative resistance value and are insensitive to process voltage or temperature variations, maintaining stability and effectively canceling internal noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional negative resistance circuits are used to reduce operational amplifier noise, then noise reduction is achieved, but circuit stability deteriorates due to component value variations from process voltage or temperature changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinternal noiseVSAvoidcircuit stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using constant-Gm biasing to maintain the transconductance parameter of cross-coupled transistors stable across process voltage and temperature variations. This ensures the negative resistance value remains constant, stabilizing the circuit while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through constant-Gm biasing circuits that continuously monitor and adjust the bias conditions of cross-coupled transistors. This feedback mechanism compensates for environmental variations, maintaining stable negative resistance values and preventing circuit instability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If operational amplifier power dissipation is reduced, then energy efficiency is improved, but internal noise in output signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower dissipationVSAvoidinternal noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces cross-coupled transistors configured as a negative resistance circuit as an intermediary element connected to the operational amplifier. This intermediary actively generates negative resistance to cancel noise, allowing the operational amplifier to operate at lower power while maintaining low noise output through the compensating action of the negative resistance circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3723283B1Negative impedance circuit for reducing amplifier noise
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 MEDIATEK SINGAPORE PTE LTD
  • EP3723283B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3723283B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3723283B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A circuit includes a first operational amplifier having an inverting input and a noninverting input, and a negative resistance circuit connected to the inverting input of the operational amplifier. The negative resistance circuit includes a second operational amplifier, a current source controlled by the second operational amplifier, and a crosscoupled transistor circuit having at least one transistor biased by a current produced by the current source.