A versatile CMOS linear transconductor/square-law function

A simple CMOS circuit technique for realizing both linear transconductance and a precision square-law function is described. The circuit provides two separate outputs in the linear as well as square-law modes. The linear outputs both have a range of 100% or more of the total quiescent current value. The theory of operation is presented and effects of transistor nonidealities on the performance are investigated. Design optimization techniques are developed. Experimental results measured on nonoptimized prototypes are: distortion of 0.2% for input signals up to 2.4 V/SUB p-p/ in the case of linear transfer function and 1.3% in the case of the square-law transfer function, with a DC to -3-dB bandwidth of up to 20 MHz. Improved performance is expected when the optimization techniques developed are applied. The circuit is versatile in application: diverse applications are demonstrated in the fields of linear amplifiers, continuous-time filters, and nonlinear function implementation.