AC coupled amplifier with a resistance multiplier technique for ultra-low frequency operation

This paper proposes a novel, tunable AC coupled capacitive feedback amplifier, exhibiting an ultra-low high pass corner frequency. This is accomplished by actively boosting the output resistive value of a MOS transistor in weak inversion. The circuit is based on a more general architecture, recently proposed by the authors, and is analyzed in terms of its capability to achieve ultra-low frequency operation, its DC performance, and noise. The proposed technique is demonstrated via measurement results from a fabricated test chip prototype using a standard 0.18 µm CMOS technology. The proposed amplifier provides a tunable high pass corner frequency from 20 mHz to 475 mHz, consuming 4.71 μW and a total area of 0.069 mm2.