On chaotic behavior in automatic tuning loops for continuous-time filters

Continuous-time filters (CTFs) with automatic tuning loops are nonlinear feedback systems with potential instability. Thus, their appropriate linear dynamic modeling should be obtained to assure stability in case of an improved design of the loop controllers is to be carried out. A systematic approach using a small signal model would allow obtaining these controllers. However, bifurcations and nonlinear phenomena may appear which cannot be predicted by this analysis. This leads to potential instability, semiperiodic or chaotic behavior and, thus, circuit malfunction. The aim of this paper is to show by means of simulations and experimental results that nonlinear phenomena, which cannot be predicted by the common small signal analysis, may appear in this kind of circuits when circuit parameters are varied.