Low input resistance current buffer stage using a controllable positive feedback loop, and applications of current conveyor based filters

A novel current buffer stage with very low input resistance is proposed. Low input resistance is achieved using a potentially instable positive feedback loop. Stability of the circuit under different operating conditions is examined in details. A feedback control block using a bipolar 4-bit current steering DAC as a control mechanism is added to the buffer to control the input resistance and assure stability. The proposed technology-independent design methodology always ensures precision and stability for all different parasitic capacitor and resistor values of the driving signal source as well as for process, mismatch, and environmental variations. Additionally, a novel second generation current conveyor circuit based on this novel input buffer is presented to demonstrate how this buffer makes almost ideal current mode circuits possible. Filter applications using the proposed CCII are performed for further justification. The current buffer and CCII were built in AMS 0.35 μm 2P4M CMOS technology. Measurement results are presented for the current buffer, the CCII circuit, and the filters.