Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing, 11,265-302 (1996)

9 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston. Manufactured in The Netherlands.

Applications of the Current Feedback Operational Amplifiers

AHMED M. SOLIMAN
Electronics and Comm. Engineering Dept., Cairo University, Egypt

Received April 6, 1995; Revised May 10, 1996

Abstract. The current feedback operational amplifiers (CFOAs) are receiving increasing attention as basic building
blocks in analog circuit design. This paper gives an overview of the applications of the CFOAs, in particular
several new circuits employing the CFOA as the active element are given. These circuits include differential
voltage amplifiers, differential integrators, nonideal and ideal inductors, frequency dependent negative resistors and
filters. The advantages of using the CFOAs in realizing low sensitivity universal filters with grounded elements
will be demonstrated by several new circuits suitable for VLSI implementation. PSPICE simulations using the
AD844-CFOA which indicate the frequency limitations of some of the proposed circuits are included.

Key Words: current feedback op amps

1. Introduction impedance. The Y terminal which is also defined as

the noninverting input has a very high input impedance.
The current feedback operational amplifiers (CFOAs) The two outputs Z and O exhibit a very high and a very
also known as the transimpedance operational ampli- low output impedance respectively. The CFOA is con-
tiers are now commercially available in bipolar inte- sidered to be a cascade of a second generation current
grated circuits form from several manufacturers. [1- conveyor (CC II+) [6] and a voltage buffer.
2]. Very recently a CMOS circuit configuration derived This paper concentrates on the applications of the
from the bipolar CFOA was described [3]. The CFOAs CFOA with the output terminal Z (also known as the
are now recognized for their excellent performance in compensating pin) being available. It has been demon-
high speed and high slew rate analog signal processing strated in [5] that the CFOAs including the terminal
[4]. Recently current mode and voltage mode filters Z are much more versatile than other existing CFOAs
implemented from a single CFOA were given [5]. topologies, this fact will be clearly recognized from the
In this paper several applications of the CFOAs in applications of the CFOAs described in this paper.
realizing voltage amplifiers, integrators, inductors, fre- All the simulations included in this paper are based
quency dependent negative resistors and filters are pro- on using the PSPICE model for the AD 844 A/AD-
posed. PSPICE simulation results are given which CFOA in which the stray capacitance at the compen-
demonstrate the frequency limitations of some of the sating pin Cz = 5.5 pF and Rz = 2.2 Mr2. The DC
reported circuits. supply voltages used are -t-12v.
In the following section the CFOA is used as the
2. The Current Feedback Op Amp basic building block in realizing voltage amplifiers and
integrators.
The CFOA is a very versatile four-terminal active build-
ing block represented symbolically as shown in Fig. 1
and described by the following matrix equation: 3. Voltage Amplifiers and Integrators
O lOO /
The first building block considered here is the gen-
Iy
Iz = 01 00 00 i J Vy
VZ (1) eralized three port voltage controlled voltage source
Vo 0 0 1 Io (VCVS) shown in Fig. 2(a). The output voltage is
given by:
The X terminal which is also defined as the invert-
ing input terminal is characterized by a very low input Vo = K ( V l - V2) (2-a)
266 Soliman

Figs. 3(c), (d) represent similar simulations for the

inverting amplifier of Fig. 2(c). It is seen that the phase
is independent of R1 since the inverting input X is at
virtual ground which eliminates the effect of the stray
capacitance C x on the amplifier characteristics.
The differential voltage integrator is shown in
Fig. 4(a). The circuit has the advantage of using a
single resistor and a single grounded capacitor, where
as in the conventional op amp balanced time constant
integrator two resistors and two capacitors are required.
The output voltage Vo is given by:

Vo ---- W~ (V~ - V2) (3-a)

S
Fig. 1. The symbolic representation of the CFOA.
where
1
w0 = - - (3-b)
where CR
RE Figs. 4(b) and 4(c) represent the noninverting and
K = -- (2-b) the inverting integrators which are obtainable from
R1
Fig. 4(a) by setting Va = 0 and V] = 0 respectively.
It is seen that the circuit provides equal gain for the Fig. 4(d) represents the infinite input impedance invert-
noninverting input V1 and the inverting input Vz, be- ing integrator using a grounded resistor.
sides this gain is controlled by varying the resistor R1 Figs. 5(a), (b) represent the magnitude and phase
without affecting the bandwidth which is controlled for the noninverting integrator shown in Fig. 4(b) with
by the grounded resistor R2. These properties are not R = 5, 10, 15 and 20 Kf2 and C = lnE The magnitude
achievable with the VCVS using conventional op amps error is given approximately by C z / C and equals to
in which both resistors are floating, the noninverting 0.55%.
voltage gain equals the inverting voltage gain plus one Similar simulations for the inverting integrator of
and the bandwidth depends on the voltage gain and the Fig. 4(c) are given in Figs. 5(c), (d). It should be noted
gainbandwidth of the op amp. that the phase for the inverting integrator equals to 90 ~
Fig. 2(b) represents the noninverting VCVS which over a wide frequency range and is independent of the
has infinite input impedance and gain equals to K magnitude of R (due to the virtual ground at X).
which can be less than one. It is also possible to realize differential integrators
The inverting VCVS shown in Fig. 2(c) has a fi- with infinite input impedance at both inputs using two
nite input impedance given by R1 which must be taken CFOAs as shown in Figs. 6(a) and 6(b) where Vo in
much larger than the input resistance of the CFOA both cases is given by eqn. (3). Of course replacing the
which is typically of the order of 65f2. Of course the capacitors in Fig. 6 by resistors, one obtains the voltage
realization of an inverting amplifier with infinite input instrumentation amplifiers, based on their well known
impedance and with grounded resistors requires two current conveyor version [7-8].
CFOAs as shown in Fig. 2(d).
Figs. 3(a), (b) represent the PSPICE simulations of
4. Inductor and FDNR Realizations
the magnitude in db and the phase in degrees for the
noninverting amplifier shown in Fig. 2(b) with Rz = In this section the realizations of nonideal and ideal
20 Kf2 and RI = 5,10,15 and 20 Kf2. From the grounded inductors using the CFOA are considered.
simulations it is seen that the 3 db frequency is very
close to the theoretical value which is given by f3 db =
1
27r R 2 C z - -
1.447 MHz. At frequencies above 100 KHz, 4.1. Series L-R Circuits
the phase characteristics depend on R1, this is due to the
zero which resulted from the stray input capacitance at Fig. 7(a) represents a series L-R circuit based on the
port X. circuit given in [9].
 Applications of the CFOAs 267

Vi . Y
-vo
Vl.
=%
V2 o

R1

(a) (b)

RI
Vi.,
-_Vo
Y
Vi9 ~ m
---. Vo

(c) (d)
Fig. 2. (a) The differential VCVS. (b) The noninverting VCVS. (c) The inverting VCVS. (d) The infinite input impedance inverting VCVS.

The input impedance Zi is given by: In this case L = CR1R2 and R = R1, that is for equal
R1 and R2 this circuit has double the Q factor of the
Zi = sCR1R2 -I- (R1 + R2) (4) circuit of Fig. 7(a). Again this circuit is derived from
the inductor circuit given in [ 10].
Thus it is seen that the circuit realizes a series L-R
Fig. 8(a) shows the simulation results of the mag-
circuit, with L = CR1Rz and R = Rt + R2.
nitude and the phase of the input impedance of the
Another circuit which employs also four resistors, a
circuit of Fig. 7(a) with R1 = R2 = 1 KS2, C = 1 nF
single capacitor together with the CFOA is shown in
and R = 1 Kf2.
Fig. 7(b). Its input impedance is given by:
Fig. 8(b) shows similar simulations for the circuit of
sCR1R2 + R1 Fig. 7(b) with R1 = R2 = 1Kf2, C = 1 nF, R = 10Kf2
Zi = (g-a) and K = 2.
sC[R2 - R I ( K - 1)] + 1

Thus it is seen that the necessary condition to realize a

series L-R circuit is given by: 4.2. Parallel L-R Circuits

R2 In this section two new circuits are given, each circuit

K = 1 + R--7 (5-b)
employs a single CFOA, a single capacitor and two
268 Soliman

20 T ..................................................................................................................

Gain in Db.

15 ~ . . . . . . . . .

: Rl=Sk

lo ~ . . . . . . . . .

: Rl=10k
\

$'
\
Rl=iSk 9 9 \

Rlw20k

I
I

R2=20k

-10 + ...................... 9 ...................... r ...................... r ...................... 9 ......................

lOOHz 1.0KHz IOKHz 100KHz 1.0MHZ IOMH:
o e 9 9 vdb(5)
Frequency

(a)

Od T ........

-2od ~ . . . . . . . . .

\L\ Rl~20k

-40d ~ . . . . . . . . .

\ \\

\\ Rl=lOk

-6o~ ~ . . . . . . . . .

R2-20k \
Rl~Bk

IOOHz I.OIC~Iz 10KHz 100KHz 1.0MHz

. o v * vp(5)
Frequency

(b)
Fig. 3. (a) The magnitude characteristicsof the VCVS of Fig. 2(b). (b) The phase characteristicsof the VCVS of Fig. 2(b).
 Applications of the C F O A s 269

2O T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain in Db.

zs" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . .

Rl=10k

s" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \

\ ,,
. . . . ",\ \ '~

: R2=20k " \",i'\

\\
100Hz i. 0KHz 10KHz 100KHg i. 0MHz 10MHI
a * v ~ vdb(5)
Frequency

(c)

Phase

200d ~ ............................................

RI= 5k,10k, 15k,20k

i6oa 9 7\ ....

\
*,\
9~,t\

\
%
12oa \\
R~=20k \
\
\
10OHz 1.0KHZ 10KHz IO0KHZ 1.0MHz 10MHz

Frequency

(d)
Fig. 3. (c) The magnitude characteristics of the VCVS of Fig. 2(c). (d) The phase characteristics of the VCVS of Fig. 2(c).
270 Soliman

Vi . Y
-Vo

V1 9
--Vo R
V2 "

Tc
• m

(a) (b)

vi~
R vi 9
> -S __%

:v~ I __C

(c) (d)
Fig. 4. (a) The differentialintegrator. (b) The noninvertingintegrator. (c) The invertingintegrator. (d) The infinite input impedanceinverting
integrator.

resistors only, that is two resistors less than the circuits Fig. 9(a), when equal resistors are used. This circuit
of Fig. 7. however is very sensitive to the resistors ratio which
For the circuit of Fig. 9(a) the input admittance is must be unity (due to the cancellation of two terms in
given by: the denominator of the Yi). Practically R2 must be
taken equals to R1 + Rx for proper operation of the
1 1 l circuit.
Yi -- sCR1R~ + ~ + R-2 (6) Fig. 10(a) shows the simulation results of the magni-
tude and the phase of the input impedance of the circuit
It is seen that the circuit realizes L = CR1Rz in par-
of Fig. 9(a) with R1 = R2 = 1 Kf2 and C = 1 nE
allel with R = RIR~R2 This circuit is equivalent to
+ R 2 " Fig. 10(b) shows similar simulation results for the
the two well known circuits using the op amp and the
circuit of Fig. 9(b) with R1 = 0.935 K~2, R2 = R1 +
CC II as the active building blocks [11-12]. This cir-
Rx = 1 K~2 and C = 1 nF.
cuit however has the advantage of using a grounded
It is worth noting that the input resistance of this cir-
capacitor.
cuit at DC equals to (R2 - R1), and a phase error of
A second parallel L-R circuit is shown in Fig. 9(b). A
180 ~ can be noticed in the simulations if R1 is taken
necessary condition for this circuit is to have R2 = R1,
equals to R2 without compensating the effect of Rx. As
in this case it is clear that the circuit realizes a parallel
pointed out before the design equation for R2 should be
L-R circuit with L = CR1R2 and R = R1, that is
modified to take the effect of Rx into account. The sim-
it has double the Q factor of the inductor circuit of
 Applications of the CFOAs 271

R=SK

i
i R=20k " ~

o~

C=lnf

100Hz 1. OKHz 10KHz 100KHz 1.0MHz

o * , ~ vdb(5)
Frequency

(a~

-40d T ................................................................................................................

ii Phage . . . .

,,, . . . . //y

-fOOd " . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C=lnf

- 1 6 0 d + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100Hz 1.0KHZ 10KHz 100KHz 1.0MHz 10MH:

* 9 * vp{5)
Frequency

(b)
Fig. 5. (a) The magnitude characteristics of the integrator of Fig. 4(b). (b) The phase characteristics of the integrator of Fig. 4(b).
272 Soliman

Db

' R=5k

I
o~

c=Inf

lOOHz I. 0XHz 10KHz 100KHz 1.0MHz

= * 9 A vdb(5)
Frequency

(c/

~o~ T T-&U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
i 2 9 " 9 9
'\

: \
~oo~-:' .\\ ~ ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

R=Sk,10k,15k,20k

I C=lnf
SOd ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

60d + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
100HZ 1.0KHz 10gHz IOOKHz 1.0m~z 10HH
= * 9 A vp(S)
Frequency

(d)
Fig. 5. (c) The magnitude characteristics of the integrator of Fig. 4(c). (d) The phase characteristics of the integrator of Fig. 4(c).
 Applications of the C F O A s 273

Vl o. Y

X Z 0 +

R
vo

V2 o,

(a)

V1 9
_Vo
Z O
v

V2e -Vo

(b)

Fig. 6. Two equivalent differential integrators with infinite input impedance at both inputs.
274 Soliman

R2 C

Zi
< Zi)- R1 I R

cIt
A
w

(a) (b)
Fig. 7. SeriesL-Rcircuits.

ulation results shown in Fig. lO(b) with R2 = R1 + Rx, employs a single-CFOA is shown in Fig. ll(b). The
are in good agreement with the theoretically expected input admittance of this circuit is given by:
ones.
s C[~ - 2(1-a)1
R2j -t- RaR2
4.3. Ideal lnductor Circuits
Y~ =
sCa + (a~ - N
(8-a)

Here two new and very attractive ideal inductor circuits It is seen that the necessary conditions to realize an
are reported. The first circuit has the advantage of us- ideal inductor are given by:
ing two grounded capacitors[13], where as the second
circuit has the advantage of using a single capacitor. a=- a (8- b)
For the inductor circuit of Fig. 1 l(a), the input ad- 2
R2 = 2R1 (8-c)
mittance is given by:
The magnitude of the realizable inductor is given by:
(1 - a ) 1 (1 - a ) 1 aC1
Y~ -- sC2R1R--~2+ R + R------~+ R2 C2R2 (7-a) L = CR1R2. (8-d)
The necessary condition to realize an ideal inductor is Practically equation 8(c) must take into consideration
given by: the effect of Rx, that is the design equation for R2
should be modified to:
aC1 = 1 -t- R2 R2(1 - a )
C-'T --R + R1 (7-b) R2 = 2(R1 + Rx) (8-e)

Choosing R2 = RI = ?- R and a = 1, that is all the Fig. 12(a) shows the simulation results of the magni-
four resistors are taken equal, therefore equation (7-b) tude and the phase of the input impedance of the in-
simplifies to C1 = 4C2 and in this case L = 2C2R1R2. ductor circuit of Fig. ll(a) with a = 1/2, R = 2 Kg2,
RI=R2=IKf2, CI=4nFandC2=lnE
A gyrator circuit using two CFOAs has been recently The simulation results are in close agreement with
reported in [14]. It is well known that it is possible to the theoretical values up to 40 KHz. At higher frequen-
realize a gyrator circuit using a single conventional op cies however there is a slight increase in the magnitude
amp [15] or a single CC 1I [16]. A gyrator circuit which of L.
 Applications of the C F O A s 275

2.5K T ................................................................................................................

Izll

2.OK ~ .............................................
. lli(v3)
40d T ..................................................................................................................
Pha6e

2oa ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

SEL>>I " i
Od
0Hz 50KHz IOOKHz 150KHz 200KHz
o 180-ip(v3)
Frequency

(a)

1.4K T ................................................................................................................

Iz~l

1 . 2 K J,

I.OK .........................................................................................
1/i(v3)
40d y .................................................................................................................
Phase

J I

9 " " i

20dd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I

sE~>>: i
o 180-ip(v3)
Frequency

~)

Fig. 8. (a) The magnitude and phase of Zi of the inductor of Fig. 7(a). Co) The magnitude and phase of Zi of the inductor of Fig. 7(b).
276 Soliman

R2

R2
C

RI '1
I
<

vi Yi
>

(a) Co)
Fig. 9. Parallel L-R circuits.

Fig. 12(b) shows similar results for the circuit of It is seen that for frequencies above 20 KHz, the circuit
Fig. ll(b) with a = 1/2, R = 2 Kf2, R 1 = 1.9 Kf2, behaves as an ideal FDNR of magnitude D = 15 fF.s.
R2 = 4 Kg2 (with Rx ~ 100f2) and C = 1 nE Two more circuits realizing an ideal FDNR are given
The simulation results are in close agreement with next.
the theoretical values up to 100 KHz. At higher fre- Fig. 13 (c) represents the FDNR circuit obtained from
quencies however the magnitude of the simulated L is that of Fig. ll(a) using the RC : CR transforma-
lower than the theoretical expected value. tion. Taking C2 = C1 = C and R 2 = 4R1 it is seen
that the circuit realizes an ideal FDNR of magnitude
D = 2C2R1. This circuit is of theoretical interest and
4.4. F D N R Circuits employs four capacitors.
The circuit of Fig. 13(d) employs the minimum num-
In some cases it may be desirable to realize an FDNR ber of capacitors namely two. By taking a = 1 and
in series or in parallel with a capacitor. The circuits C1 = 2C2, the circuit realizes an ideal FDNR of mag-
of Figs. 7 and 9 can be converted to realize FDNR-C nitude D = 2C2R.
circuits using the RC : CR transformation. Fig. 13(e) shows the simulation results of the magni-
The realization of an FDNR-R circuit is described tude and the phase of Yi when the circuit is driven by a
next. unity voltage source and taking Cl = 2 nF, C2 = 1 nE
Fig. 13(a) realizes an FDNR of magnitude D = R = 10 Kff2, R1 = 2 K ~ and a = 1/2, to realize an
C1C2R2/2 in parallel with a resistor of magnitude 2R FDNR of magnitude D = 20 fF.s.
[17]. The necessary condition for this realization is
that, ~R2 = 2 + ~cl. 5. Single-CFOA Filters
Fig. 13(b) shows the magnitude and the phase of
In this section several new filter configurations using
Yi of the circuit of Fig. 13(a) which is driven by a
a single-CFOA are given. First the filter sections of
voltage source of magnitude 1 V and taking Ca = C2 =
order one are considered briefly.
1 nF, R1 = 10 Kf2 and R = R2 = 30Kf2. From the
simulations it is found that the resonance frequency at
which the phase of Yi changes abruptly from zero to 5.1. First Order Filters
180 ~ is very close to its theoretical value given by:
It is well known that the conventional op amp realizes
only a class of noninverting first order transfer func-
= 5.3 KHz. tions. With the CFOA however a noninverting first
27r ~ / C 1 C 2 R R 2 order transfer function of the from given by:
 Applications of the C F O A s 277

500 T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
i/ilv3)
90d ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

0Hz 50KHz IOOKHz 150KHZ 200KH~

Q 180-ip(v3 )
Frequency

(a)

1,0K T .................................................................................................................

i . . . . . . . . i . . . . . . .

o i/i(vl)
90d r .................................................................................................................

5od!] . . . . . . . . . . . . . : _ .

od
..... i i
0Hz 50KHZ IOOKHz 150Kgz 200F/4Z
180-ip(vl)
Frequency

~)

Fig. 10. (a) The magnitude and phase of Zi of the inductor of Fig. 9(a). (b) The magnitude and phase of Zi of the inductor of Fig. 9(b).
278 Soliman

R2 Two realizations of the first order all-pass transfer func-

tion are shown in Figs. 15(b) and 15(c). For both cases
the necessary condition is given by: R3 = R4, and in
this case the transfer function simplifies to:

T ( s ) = -t-R-J-5 9 s C R - 1 (11)
(1-a) R R4 s C R - 4 - 1
The negative sign applies to the circuit of Fig. 15(b)
and the positive sign applies to the circuit of Fig. 15(c).
The circuit of Fig. 15(b) has the advantage of using
RI
grounded capacitor. In both cases the grounded resistor
R5 controls the gain factor which can be larger than one,
an advantage which does not exist in the conventional
op amp first order all-pass circuits.
(a)
R2 5.2. S e c o n d Order All-Pass Circuits

The generalized building block shown in Fig. 15(a) can

C also lead to the all-pass second order circuits with real
'1
I
axis poles (Q < 1/2) shown in Figs. 15(d) and 15(e).
For the circuit of Fig. 15(d), the transfer function is
given by:
< R5
T(s) = - --
Yi R1 < R3
, <
R4 __ C1RI _ C2R2) + 1
s2C1C2R1R2 - s (\ C2RtR3
( 1-a) R
s2C1C2RIR2 + s(C2R1 + C1R1 + C2R2) + 1
>aR
(12-a)
The necessary condition to realize an all-pass response
is given by:
(b)
Fig. 11. Idealinductorcircuits. R--23= 1 + 2R2 2C1 (12-b)
R4 --ffl + c-7
This circuit has an inverting gain factor which can be
s+a
T(s)=K .-----7-7 a > 0 , K , b > 0 (9) adjusted to the desirable value which can be larger than
s-t-t) one by varying Rs. Of course a notch response with an
inverting gain factor (which can be larger than one in
is realizable in one of the forms shown in Fig. 14,
magnitude) can also be obtained if:
with the two capacitors grounded. Similar realizations
for an inverting first order transfer function using the R3 _ R2 + CI (12-c)
CFOA can be obtained. R4 R1 ~22
Next, the case of a first order all-pass transfer func- Similarly for the circuit of Fig. 15(e), it can be shown
tion is considered. Fig. 15(a) represents a new gen- that the gain factor equals to & and the condition for
R4 '
eralized configuration using a single CFOA and five all-pass and notch responses are given respectively by:
impedances, its transfer function is given by:
R4 _ 1 -q- 2R1 2C2 (13-a)
z_z -kT + c--7
-- = (lO) R4 R1 C2
-- + (13-b)
1,'1 Z1 + Z2 R3 R2 C1
 Applications of the CFOAs 279

1.0K T .................................................................................................................

o.s~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . / . . . . . .

0 ~ .........................................................................................................
i/ilvl}
100d T .................................................................................................................

50d
/
', Phase

. . .

.
.
.

. .

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
. .
.

.
. . . . . .

SEL>>!
Od ~ ...................... r ..................... ~ ...................... ~ ...................... n ......................
0.0:LT, HZ 10.00:',Hz 20.00KHz 30.00KHz 40.00KHz 50.00KH:
= 180-ip(vl)
Frequency

(a)

8.0K T ................................................................................................................. 1

Izll i" " * :

4.oK~ 9 . --/._~.

o= i/ilvl)
........................... i........................... i.............................
100d T ..................................................................................................................
Phase

,f
/
,odil
I,

SEL>> 1
Od~ ........................... ~ ............................ r ........................... ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0. I K H ~ 50.0~z I00.0KBz 150,0KE'IZ 200.0F.H:
o 180-ip(vl )
Frequency

~)

Fig. 12. (a) The magnitude and phase of Zi of the inductor Of Fig. 1 l(a). (b) The magnitude and phase of Zi of the inductor of Fig. 11 (b).
280 Soliman

It?

CI
iR
>
> R2

(a)

6.0mA T ................................................................................................................

,.~ . . . . . . i . . . ! . . . i . . .

~.o~,i . . . .

OA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
a i(v3)
r ................................................................................................................

I Phase

2o0a4

10oo~iS
%;LS ................... ~ ...................... ~ ...................... r ..................... ~ ......................
0Hz 20KHz 40KHz 60~'tz 80KHz 100KHI
180+ip(v3 )
Frequency

(b)

Fig. 13. (a)A parallelFDNR-R circuit.(b) The magnitude and phase of Yi of the circuitof Fig. 13(a).
 Applications of the CFOAs 281

----~ I
C
T
--tl C1
<
Yi
> < >
R1 > R2
<
>

(c)
C2

Yi
>

CI-

(a)

Fig. 13. (c) A grounded R, ideal FDNR circuit. (d) A canonic ideal FDNR circuit.
282 Soliman

4.01~A T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.0mA ~

SEL>>:
r OA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ilv3)
................................................................................................................
Phase

2ood!~

lood

Od + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Onz 20KHz 40KHz 60KHz 80KHz 100KHI
D 180+ip{v3}
Frequency

(e)

Fig. 13. (e) The magnitude and phase of Yi of the circuit of Fig. 13(d).

Vi = Y

Vi -- 1
w
-Vo

• 1
b
I 1
Ka
a 1--

(a)
K b

T Co)

Fig. 14. Two equivalent realizations of the first order noninverting transfer function.
 Applications of the CFOAs 283

vo Vi 9
R3 i ra

/
(a) (b)

R3 R3

vi ~ :Vo Vi 9 O~ --vo

c
II R2
>

i >>R5
> R5
> CI - ~ RI

(c) (d)

Vi *
R3 i :Vo

(e)
Fig. 15. (a) A single CFOA generalized configuration. (b), (c) First order all-pass circuits. (d), (e) Second order all-pass and notch circuits.

Fig. 16 shows the frequency response of the notch filter Cl = C2 = 1 nF, R1 = R2 = 10 Kf2, R3 = 10 Kf2,
of Fig. 15(e) designed for fo = 15.915 KHz, taking
284 Soliman

io T .................................................................................................................
I Gain D b

o"

-1o"

-2o

-30

-40

f0=15.813Khz

-50 + ...................... r ...................... r ...................... r ...................... r ......................

100Hz 1.0KHz 10KHz 100KHz 1.0MHz 10MHI
. vdb(ul:5)
Frequency

Fig. 16. The frequencyresponseof the notch filterof Fig. 15(e).

R4 = 20 Kf2 and R5 = 40 KfL From the simulations s2 C2 R 2 "Jr-1

T(s) = K (14-a)
the actual fo equals to 15.813 KI-Iz, which is very close s2C2R 2 +4(1 - K ) s C R + 1
to its theoretical value.
The Wo and the Q are given by:
In order to have independent control on the gain fac-
tor and on the zeros, R5 should be used to control the 1 1
Q - - - (14-b)
gain factor and R3 should be used to control the ze- COo - CR' 4(1 - K)

ros. In this respect the circuit of Fig. 10d is better than

It is seen that the circuit realizes complex poles and
that of Fig. 10e since the tuning is achieved by the two
can be easily modified to realize lowpass and highpass
grounded resistors R5 and R4.
notch responses.
Fig. 18 shows the simulated frequency response
of the notch filter of Fig. 17(e) designed for fo =
100 KHz, taking K = 0.95, C = 1 nF, R = 1.5915 Kf2
5.3. The Noninverting Single-CFOA Filters and R1 = 10 Kf2. It is seen that the theoretical f0 is in
close agreement with its simulation value.
The CFOA is a very practical building block in realizing
the second order filter circuits based on the positive
feedback topology shown in Fig. 17(a). The Iowpass, 5.4. The Inverting Single-CFOA Bandpass Filter
highpass and bandpass Sallen-Key filters [ 18] using the
CFOA are shown in Figs. 17(b), (c) and (d) respectively, The general configuration shown in Fig. 19(a) has a
and they have the same equations as in the classical op transfer function given by:
amp cases. An attractive application of the CFOA in
V 0 --Z2(Z 3 -~- Z 4 )
the positive feedback topology is in the realization of a -- = (15)
V/ Zl (Z3 + Z4) - Z2Z4
notch filter using a VCVS of gain K < 1 as shown in
Fig. 17(e). The transfer function of this noninverting This configuration is suitable for realizing a bandpass
notch circuit is given by: filter as shown in Fig. 19(b). Its transfer function is
 Applications of the CFOAs 285

Vi
o> vo

~KR
>

(a)

C1

Vi ;
RI R2

C2 Rix vo

(b)

RI

Vi -- I
CI c: o~ -vo

>
)KR

(c)
Fig. 17. (a) The general positive feedback topology using the CFOA. (b) LP filter using the CFOA. (c) HP filter using the CFOA.
286 Soliman

R2

Vi ~,
R1
I
C2 vo

C
R3

C
I
(a)

Vi 9
o~-----~,Vo
....X~2
<>
<< ~ KR1

(e)

Fig. 17. (d) BP filter using the CFOA. (e) Notch filter using the CFOA.
 Applications of the CFOAs 287

0 ....................................................................................................................

-10 i

-15 i

-20 + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100Hz 1.0KHz 10gHz IOOKHz 1.0MHz IOMH~

a vdb(ulz5)
Frequency

Fig. 18. The frequency response of the notch filter of Fig. 17(e).

given by: Fig. 19(d) shows the simulation results using the sec-
ond design with C1 = 2 nF, C2 = 1 nF, R1 = 1 Kf2,
T(s) = R2 = 50 Kf2, R = 20 Kf2 and K = 1/2. In this case
-sC1R2 it is found that Afo/fo = -0.41%.
s2CIC2R1R2 d-s(C1R1 -]- C2R2 - KC1R2) -}- 1
(16-a)
6. The Two-CFOA Filters
Taking: K = 1, C1 = C2 = C, the design equations
are given by: In this section four circuits realizing ban@ass and low-
pass voltage responses at the two-CFOA outputs are
1 Q
R I - - - and Rz= (16-b) proposed. All circuits have the attractive advantage of
cooC Q woC using grounded capacitors, and having very low 090 and
In this case the gain at Wo is given by: Q sensitivities to all circuit components.

T(jwo) : - Q2 (16-c)
6.1. The Inverting BP-Inverting LP Filter
An alternative design however is to take K = 1/2
and C2 = C1/2. Fig. 20(a) represents the inverting bandpass inverting
The design equations are given by: lowpass filter circuit. The voltage transfer functions at
1 2Q the two-CFOA outputs are given by:
R1---- and R2=-- (17-a)
w0C1 Q cooC1 1
VOl ~R Vo2 C1C2RzR
In this case -- D(s---~' Vi = D(s) (18)

T(jwo) = - 2 Q 2 (17-b) where

Fig. 19(c) shows the simulation results using the first s 1 (19)
D(s) = s 2 + ~ + C1C2RzR3
design with C1 = C2 = 1 n E R a = 4 Kf2 and R2 =
100 Kf2. It is seen that Afo/fo = -0.65%. The 090 and the Q of the filter are given by:
288 Soliman

v~ 9
oVo

(a)

RI CI
Vi r t o> ~

~-~C2 (l-K) R

(b)
Fig. 19. (a) An inverting general configuration using a single CFOA. (b) An inverting BP filter using a single CFOA.
 Applications of the CFOAs 289

\
a i n Db

i . . . .

O~ . . . . . . . . . . . . fD~7. 06Khz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

-240d

-20 . 9 .~

-280d

>>I \
-320d -40 + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r ......... --~ ........
100Hz ~.0KHz 10KHz 100EHz 1.0MHz 10MH:
[] n vp(ul:5) [] 9 vdb(ul:S)
F r e q u e n c y

(c)

-80d ~ 2 40 T ......................................................................................................

-12odq

-160d q

-2ood~

-24od

-28od~

>>1
-320d J -40+ .................... ~.................... ~..................... ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
lOOHz 1 . OKItZ IOKItZ 100KHZ 1 9O ~ z 1O14111
[] * ",p(ul:S) [] , vdb(ul:5)
FreqaaRne'/

(d)
Fig. 19. (c) The magnitude and phase of the bandpass filter of Fig. 19(b) with K = 1. (d) The magnitude and phase of the bandpass filter of
Fig. 19(b) with K = 1/2.
 0

~~

o~
t~

o
--7
e~

o
7

| 0

~t
o

o~
 Applications of the CFOAs 291

Od ~ 2 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gain Db

-SOd~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II ...... i . . . . . . . .

-zoodq ..... i 7!ii \ . .. , ....

-isoa q

-200dq

= . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
-2soa q

>>1
-3GOd J - 5 0 + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100Hz 1 90KHz 10KHz 100KHz i. 0MH~

[ ] D vp(ul:5) [] 9 vdb(ul:5)
Frequency

Fig. 21. The magnitude and phase of the bandpass filter of Fig. 20(d).

[
1 / C1 6.2. The Noninverting BP-Noninverting LP Filters
(20)
COO-- ~/C1C2R2R3, Q = RI~/ C2R2R3
The circuit of Fig 20(b) has the advantage of having an
infinite input impedance. The transfer functions of this
R1 circuit are given by:
The bandpass gain at COo= T(jCOo) = - - - (21-a)
R
s ~ 0+-~)
Vo~ _ C7R3 (1 + -~) and Vo2 = ClC2R2R3
R3 Vi D(s) Vi D(s)
The lowpass DC gain ----T(0) = - - - (21-b) (24)
R
It is seen that the Wo and the Q sensitivities to all cir- where D(s) is the same as given by equation (19), and
cuit components are very low (< 1). For a specified COo of course wo and the Q are the same as given by equa-
and Q, there are many posible choices for the element tion (20). The design equations can be taken as given
values of the filter. Taking C1 = C2 = C, R2 = R3, by (22). The grounded resistor R controls the gain of
the design equations are given by: the filter as seen from the following equations:
Q R1 R1
R] = (22-a) T ( j coo) = -~3 -6 --~ (25-a)
cooC
1 R3
R2 = R3--
co0C
(22-b) T(O) = i+ - - (25-b)
R
The grounded resistor R 1 controls Q without affect- If the magnitude of the gain is not one of the specified
ing COo. The resistor R controls the gain, and for a parameters, then R can be taken as open circuitresult-
specified T(jCOo), or T(0), the design equation of R is ing in a unity mc gain and a bandpass gain at coo equals
given by: to a.
It is worth noting that the filter based on the two
R1 R3
CFOAs gyrator circuit [14] has one of the capacitors
R= - - orR=-- (23)
IT(jCOo) l IT(0) I floating.
292 Soliman

R
Vi -~
*Vol

,r,Vo2

RI -~CI

Ca)
%
Vi 9
*'col

;vo2

(b)
Fig. 22. (a) Inverting BP- inverting LP filter using three CFOAs. (b) Noninverting BP- noninverting LP filter using three CFOAs.

Another noninverting BP-noninverting LP filter is For a specified w0 and Q only, the design equa-
shown in Fig. 20(c). The circuit has the same w0 and tions can be taken as in equation (22), and in this case
1
Q as given by equation (20). The gain at COoand the T(jwo) = Q + 1 and T(O) = 1 +-~.
DC gain are given by:

gl 6.3. The Inverting BP-Noninverting LP Filter

T(jwo) = 1 + -- (26-a)
R3
Fig. 20(d) represents another BP-LP filter using the
T(0) = 1 + __R3 (26-b)
R1 same number of circuit components and employs an
inverting integrator in the second stage instead of a
For a specified 090, Q, T(jcoo) or (T(0)) and taking noninverting one as in the previous three cases. The
C1 = C2 = C, the design equations are given by: transfer functions in this case are given by:
Q
R1 = (27-a) 1
cooC Yo1 cSR3 V02 C,C2R2R3 (28)
R1 Vi D(s) ' Vi D(s) '
R3 - - or R3 = RI(T(0) - 1) (27-b)
T(jwo) - 1
1 where D(s) is given by equation (19). The design
R2 = (27-c) equations can be taken as given by equation (22). For
(woC)2R3
 Applications of the CFOAs 293

Od r .................................................................................................................
P G
h a
a i
n
e
D
b 20~

//
/ \

\
\

>> i
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
100h 1.0Kh 10Kh 100Kh 1.0Mh lOMb
[1 D vp(ulzS) [2 9 vdb(ul:5)
?requency

(c)
r ................................................................................................................. 7
G
a
s
n

// \\
J
/
-2 o ;

-40

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

100h l*0Kh 10Kh 100Kh 1.0Mh 10Mh

[i o vp(ul;5) [2 9 vdb(ul~5)
Frequency

(d)
Fig. 22. (c) The magnitude and phase of the bandpass filter of Fig. 22(a). (d) The magnitude and phase of the bandpass filter of Fig. 22(b).
294 Soliman

R3
Ri

!
_ _ ~ ~ ~ ' ~ kvo~

(a)

Vi 9

RI C 2

'VV~
(6)

Fig. 23. (a) Inverting HP-BP-LP filter using three CFOAs. (b) Noninverting HP-BP-LP filter using three CFOAs.

Ri
Vi
>
Ii
~ BP~ V~

(a)

Fig. 24. (a) Inverting HP-BP-LP filter using five CFOAs.

 Applications o f the C F O A s 295

4oT ................................................................................................................. n

20
-10Od

1
1
/
-o"
/'
/ '\

-20

-4o~ I

-,og2. lOOh 1.0Kh 10Kh lOOKh 1.OMh lOHh

[i a Vp(U2~5) [2 9 vdb(u2~5)
Frequency

(b)

Fig. 24. (b) The magnitude and phase of the bandpass filter of Fig. 24(a).

Vi
Vol

(c)
Fig. 24. (c) Noninverting HP-BP-LP filter using five CFOAs.
296 Soliman

this circuit the DC gain equals to unity, and T(jwo) = ues. It should be noted that although the magnitude
Q. response is identical to that of Fig. 22(c), the phase re-
Fig. 21 shows the magnitude and phase simula- sponse deviates at frequencies above 1 MHz due to the
tion results of this bandpass filter designed for f0 = capacitance Cx of the first CFOA.
31.83 KHz and Q = 40, taking C~ = Cz = 1 nF,
R1 = 200 Kf2 and R2 : R3 = 5 Kf2.
7.2. The Inverting HP-BP-LP Filter
7. The Multiple-CFOA Filters
The filter circuit shown in Fig. 23(a) realizes an invert-
In this section several novel multiple-CFOA second ing highpass, inverting bandpass and inverting lowpass
order filters are introduced. response at the three-CFOA outputs. The transfer func-
tions are given by:

7.1. The Bandpass-Lowpass Filters RS2 R

Vol ~ Vo2 C,R~R,'s
Vi D(s) ' Vi D(s)
Fig. 22(a) represents an inverting BP-inverting LP fil-
ter which is generated from the circuit of Fig. 20(a)
R
using a third CFOA acting as a voltage to current con- and Vo3 _ CIC2R1R2Ri (30)
verter feeding-back the current ~ to terminal X of the Vi D(s) '
first CFOA. The circuit has the same equations as that
of Fig. 20(a), it has the advantage however of using a where
grounded resistor R3. This circuit is suitable for cur- R R
rent excitation and in this case it will be classified as a D(s) = s 2 + cI~S/~IK4 + C1C2R1R2R3 (31)
mixed mode (current excitation and voltage responses)
bandpass-lowpass tilter. From the above equation the cOoand the Q of the filter
Fig. 22(b) represents a very attractive noninverting are given by:
BP-noninverting LP filter with infinite input impedance
and with all resistors and capacitors being grounded.
The circuit is generated from that of Fig. 20(b) using a R and Q = R4 (32)
cOo = CtC2R1R2R3 C2R2R3R
third CFOA to act as a voltage to current converter. The
equations for this circuit however are different from For a specified wo and Q the design equations may be
those of the circuit of Fig. 20(b), and are given by: taken as:
s 1
VO1 -- CI"~ V02 - C1C2R2R c h o o s e C 1 = C2 ~-- C , Ra = R2, R3 = R (33)
Vi D(s) and ~ D(s) (29)
Thus,
where D(s) is the same as given by equation (19). It is
seen that the circuit has the same magnitudes of T(0) 1
and T(jcOo) as the circuits of Figs. 20(a) and 22(a), R1 = R 2 - o o C ' R4 = QR3 (34)
thus the design equations (22) and (23) apply also to
this circuit. The resistor R4 controls Q without affecting COo. Ri
Similarly the circuit of Fig. 20(c) may be modified controls the magnitude of the gain without affecting
using two more CFOAs to provide the necessary feed- coo or Q and for the chosen design it can be easily seen
back currents, resulting in an alternative noninverting that the magnitude of the gain at coo at any of the three
BP-noninverting LP filter with grounded elements and outputs-- ~.R4
using four CFOAs.
Fig. 22(c) shows the magnitude and phase responses
of the bandpass filter of Fig. 22(a) with C1 = C2 = 7.3. The Noninverting HP-BP-LP Filter
0.2 nF, R1 ~-- 200 Kf2 and R = R2 = R3 : 10 Kf2.
Fig. 22(d) shows similar results for the bandpass cir- Fig. 23(b) represents an infinite input impedance three-
cuit of Fig. 22(b) designed with the same circuit val- CFOA noninverting highpass, bandpass and lowpass
 Applications of the CFOAs 297

r .................................................................................................................

O~ . . . . . . . . . . . . .

" , . C=0

-2o -,'

-40 ~ .........................
u . vdb(5) .......................................................................................
r ................................................................................................................
Od ~: : : ~ o .' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

: ."~ \
'\
1 \\

SEL>> i ~ ~
.... [. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~...... ~ . . t ..........
IOOHz i 90KHz IOKHz 100KHz I. 0 M H z 10MHz 100MH
o * vp(5)
Frequency

(a)

Fig. 25. The magnitude and phase characteristics of the uncompensated and the compensated noninverting VCVS. (a) R1 = 10 K ~ , R2 = 20 K ~ .

r ................................................................................................................

" Gain Db " = "

O" . . . . . . . . . .

~ o\

-20- ......... " " " . ....... c=0~ ' ~ . ~ .......

i i i i i i',\'k !i
.; ............................... i .............. 2................ i ...... ~..> ..... i

o ~ vp(s}
Frec~uency

(b)
Fig. 25. (b) RI = 2 K~2, R2 = 4 K ~ .
298 Soliman

40 T ..................................................................................................................
GaLn Db

C=55pf
0 ,

o~,

SZL>>I
-40 ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
o * vdb(5)

i Phase . . . . c=55pf

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

o * vp(5)
Frequency

(c)

Fig. 25. (c) R1 = 2 Kf2, Rz = 20 Kf2.

filter. The transfer functions are given by: combinations of the three output currents may be taken
to a current summer circuit.
R(R3+R4) ~2 VO2 R(R~+R4)S
go1 m
R3R4 ~ CIR1R3R4 Fig. 24(b) shows the magnitude and phase of the
Vi D(s) ' Vi D(s) bandpass circuit of Fig. 24(a) designed for Q = 50
and f0 = 31.83 KHz, taking C1 = C2 = 1 nF, R1 =
and R2 = R3 = Ri = R = 5 Kf2 and R 4 = 250 Kg2
R(R~-FR4)
go3 C1C2R1R2R3R4
- (35) 7.5. The Noninverting Universal Filter
Vi D(s)
where D(s) is the same as given by equation (31). The The modified version of the filter circuit of Fig. 23(b)
design equations are the same as given by equations using two more CFOAs to realize voltage to current
(33) and (34). For this design the gain at o~0 at any of converters is given in Fig. 24(c). The numerators of
the filter three outputs is given by Q + 1. the equations for this filter circuit however are different
from those of the circuit of Fig. 23(b) and are the same
as those of the circuits of Figs. 23(a) and 24(a) except
7.4. The Inverting Universal Filter for the polarities which are all positive in this case. This
circuit is considered to be a very attractive voltage mode
Fig. 24(a) represents a five-CFOA inverting universal universal filter, with infinite input impedance, very low
filter. The circuit has the same equations as that of output impedances [19], and all the four resistors and
Fig. 23(a). This circuit is also suitable to be driven by the two capacitors being grounded.
a current signal and as such it can be considered as a
mixed mode inverting filter. Of course the circuit can 8. Frequency Limitations and Compensation
also serve as a current mode universal filter by taking
Methods
the currents in Rb R2 and R3 as the HP, BP and LP
output currents respectively. It is worth noting that if Like the conventional op amp, the CFOA has frequency
a generalized second order response is required, the limitations caused by Rx, Cx, Rz and Cz.
 Applications of the CFOAs 299

r .............................................................................................................

0~ Gain Db

-20 q .........

\
-,o~--?;~);~ .......................................................................................................
180dr ~

\ \
1SOd ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~',.\ 9 ........ \\ .....
\ \

\
', 9 . - C=O 9 \\ 9 \
I \

.................. r .................. r .................. ~ .................. ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . r ..................

lOOHz 1.0KHz lOK~z lOOKHz 1.0MHz 10MHz 100MHZ
o vp(5)
Frequency

(a)

[ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

o" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lp.~ .......

" ~176~176 ........ i ........ i

-20 i ......................... \\ - ....

9 ox ~,
\ \,,

D o vdb(5)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 'i.. . . . . ". . ......

. . . . . . .i. i\\ ~ \ i ................
" ~

nod ~ ............................................................. i

I z vpI5) i, O K H Z 10Fddz 100KHz i. 0/4Hz IOMHz lOOMHz i. 0 G H z

a o Frequency

(b)
Fig. 26. The m a g n i t u d e a n d p h a s e characteristics o f the u n c o m p e n s a t e d and the c o m p e n s a t e d inverting V C V S . (a) R1 = 10 K~2, R2 = 20 K~2.
(b) RI = 2 K~2, R2 = 4 K~2.
300 Soliman

_.o~~ .........................
........ : ........: ........
: ........
~ i.....~... \ !: ........
. : :\ ........
ii

-40 ~ ....................................................................................................... ~ ........

s O vdb(5)
180d

~.ooJ i

l~od~ ........ i ........ i ........ i ........ c-o \ ......................

100Hz 1 90 K t t z 10KHZ 1001r 1 90 Y ~ z 10~z 100/fflz 1.0GH=

. * vp(5)
Frequency

(c)

Fig. 26. (c) R1 = 2 K f 2 , R2 = 2 0 K~2.

40~ ..................................................................................................................... n

20;

/
/
-0 /
I
/

-20"

-40 9

>>I

....................... ,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~....................... ~....................... , .......................

lOOh 1,OKh lOKh lOOKh 1.OMh lOMh
[1 . vp{u2:5] [2 9 vdb(u2:5)
Frequency

Fig. 27. The magnitude and phase characteristics of the compensated bandpass filter of Fig. 24(a).
 Applications of the CFOAs 301

Although the effect of Rx can be minimized in most case K = 2 taking Ra = 10 Kf2, R2 = 20 Kf2 and
cases by taking the resistor connected to port X much R1 = 2 Kf2, R2 = 4 Kf2 respectively.
larger than Rx, there are few circuits which require From the simulation results it is seen that f3db is
compensation for the effect of Rx, examples are the approximately the same in both cases and is given by
inductor circuits of Figs. 9(b) and ll(b). It has been 48.4 MHz which is higher than that of the noninverting
demonstrated in Sections 4.2 and 4.3, that the com- VCVS of the same gain. This is due to the fact that Cx
pensation for the effect of Rx can be easily achieved, has no effect on the frequency response since port Y is
leading to simulation results that are very close to the grounded.
theoretical expected ones. Fig. 26(c) shows similar simulations for the inverting
The effect of Cz on limiting the high frequency range VCVS with gain of 10, realized with R1 = 2 Kf2 and
of operation and passive compensation methods are R2 = 20 Kf2.
discussed next. The same method of compensation can be applied to
From the simulation results, it is seen that all the some of the filter circuits reported in this paper. As an
circuits with a resistor connected between port Z and example consider the filter of Fig. 24(a). Improvement
ground are frequency limited by the pole which results in both the phase and the magnitude response can be
due to the parasitic capacitance Cz at port Z. Well achieved as shown in Fig. 27 by adding a capacitor C
known passive compensation methods [20-21] can be of magnitude 5.5 pF in parallel with Ri.
applied to this class of circuits in order to extend the fre- The effect of Rz (typically 2.2 Mr2) on the circuits
quency range of the circuit. As an example, Wilson's which employ a capacitor C connected between port Z
passive compensation method [20] can be applied to and ground is observed at very low frequencies, since
the noninverting VCVS shown in Fig. 2(b) by adding the pole produced by Rz and C is at 72 Hz (assum-
a capacitor C of magnitude given by C = (Rz/R1)Cz, ing C = lnF). Of course this effect is observed on the
in parallel with R1, this will result in a pole-zero can- phase of the integrators at low frequencies. For filter
cellation. applications however which are intended for frequen-
Fig. 25(a) shows the magnitude and phase of a non- cies >> 100 Hz, the effect of Rz can be minimized by
inverting VCVS of gain 2, realized by taking RI = using capacitors in the nano-Farads range.
10 Kf2, R2 = 20 K~2 and C = 11 PE
It is seen that f3db has been extended from 1.5 MHz
for the uncompensated VCVS to about 44.9 MHz.
Fig. 25(b) shows similar simulations for the VCVS
with same gain of 2, by taking R1 = 2 Kf2 and R2 = 9. Conclusions
4 K~2.
It should be noted that although the uncompensated The versatility of the current feedback op amp (CFOA)
f3ab for this VCVS which is about 5 times larger than with an available Z terminal [2] in realizing analog cir-
that of the previous case (since f3db = 1/2Jr R2Cz), the cuits is demonstrated by numerous applications. These
f3db of the compensated VCVS is almost the same as applications include the realization of voltage ampli-
in Fig. 25(a). This is due to the fact that bandwidth of tiers, voltage integrators, inductors, FDNRs and filters.
the compensated amplifier is limited by C, Rx, Cx and One of the major objectives of the paper is to give an
the voltage follower action from port Z to the output overview of the second order filter circuits realized us-
port of the CFOA. ing the CFOAs. PSPICE simulations indicating the
Fig. 25(c) shows similar simulations for the nonin- frequency limitations of some of the reported circuits
verting VCVS with gain of 10, realized with R~ = using the AD 844-CFOA are given.
2 Kf2 and R2 = 20 Kf2 Passive compensation methods for the noninverting
For the inverting VCVS shown in Fig. 2(c), passive and the inverting VCVS structures have been consid-
compensation is achieved using a single capacitor C, ered in this paper. Although the direct compensation
in parallel with R1 in the same way as was done for the methods can be applied to some of the circuits reported
conventional op amp VCVS circuits [21]. in this paper, other circuits may require special methods
For pole-zero cancellation, the magnitude of C of compensation. I t is not the intention of this paper
should also be taken equal to KC z, where K = R2/R1. however to concentrate on the compensation of filter
Fig. 26(a), (b) show the magnitude and phase for the circuits.
302 Soliman

Acknowledgements 19. A. M. Soliman, "Current conveyors steer universal filter." IEEE

Circuits and Devices Magazine. 11, pp. 45-46, March 1995.
20. G. Wilson, "Compensation of some operational amplifier
The author would like to thank the reviewers for their
based RC active networks?' IEEE Trans. Orcuits and Systems.
useful comments. CAS-23, pp. 443-446, July 1976.
The author would like also to thank his graduate 21. A.M. Soliman and M. Ismail, "Passive compensation of Op
student A.S. Elwakil for his assistance with the PSPICE Amp VCVS and weighted summer building blocks?' 1EEE
Trans. Orcuits and Systems. CAS-26, pp. 898-900, Oct. 197~,
simulations included in this paper.

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For High Frequency BJT Amplifier Design: A Current Mode Ahmed M. Soliman was born in Cairo Egypt, on
Perspective" in First Intentional Conference on Electronics November 22, 1943. He received the B.S. degree from
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the Electrical Engineering Department, United Arab
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12. A.M. Soliman, "Ford-Girling equivalent circuit using CC II?' Atlantic University, FL. (1979-1980) and San Fran-
Electronics Letters. 14, pp. 721-722, 1978. cisco State University, CA. (1978-1979).
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using a single operational amplifier." AEU (Electronics and
Dr. Soliman served also as Associate Professor of
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Electronics Letters. 10, pp. 261-262, 1974. University, Germany (Summer 1985).
16. A.M. Soliman, "New active-gyrator circuit using a single cur- He was a Research Analyst at the Central Research,
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applications in filters?' lEE Electronic Circuits and Systems. Dr. Soliman received the First Class Science Medal
1, pp. 145-148, July 1977. from the President of Egypt in 1977, for his services to
18. A. Budak, Passive and Active Network Analysis and Synthesis.
Houghton Mifflin, 1974.
the field of Engineering and Engineering Education.