Tunable class AB CMOS Gm-C channel filter for a bluetooth zero-IF receiver

Abstract

A novel tunable third order low-pass Gm-C filter is introduced. Programmable transconductors operating in class AB have been used for its implementation hence featuring low quiescent power consumption. The operation in class AB is achieved using quasi-floating gate transistors. This filter is suitable for channel filtering of highly integrated, ultra low power wireless receivers e.g. for Bluetooth and Zigbee. Measurement results for a test chip prototype in a low-cost 0.5µm standard CMOS process are presented.