An ultra-low-power precision rectifier for biomedical sensors interfacing

This paper revisits the design trade-offs for low-power and low-voltage rectifiers required for sensor interfacing in a variety of biomedical applications. The paper discusses why most previously reported rectifiers are not going to be suitable in these emerging devices since design constraints are different from those in other more conventional applications. A novel rectifier topology is presented that meets the specifications required by a wearable breathing detector and is also suitable for many other devices described in the introduction. The novel rectifier consumes up to 90 nW of power, operates at only power supply voltages down to 1 V and achieves a dynamic range (DR) of 73 dB. The rectifier outperforms other previously reported topologies suitable for this kind of application.