dB-Linear Function Circuit Using Composite NMOS Transistor

In this paper, the design of a CMOS exponential V-I converter (EVIC,) based on Taylor's concept, is presented. The composite NMOS transistor is used for realizing the exponential characteristics. In a 0.25 $\mu$m CMOS process, the simulations show more than 20 dB output current range and 15 dB linear range with the linearity error less than $\pm$ 0.5 dB. The power dissipation is less than 0.3 mW with $\pm$ 1.5 V supply voltage. The proposed EVIC can be used for the design of an extremely low­voltage and low-power variable gain amplifier (VGA) and automatic gain control (AGC).