A low-power multi-tanh OTA with very low harmonic distortion

This paper presents a wide input range, low-power operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) in weak inversion. The OTA is implemented with tanh-triplets differential pairs, degenerated by a composite configuration to augment the input linear range, thus reducing further the harmonic distortion. Using MATLAB, the mismatch factor (A) of a typical multi-tanh triplet has been optimised for minimum harmonic distortion. The OTA is designed in UMC 0.13um CMOS technology with 1.2V supply. Simulations show that the input range can be extended to 300 mV, while keeping the HD3 below -80 dB. The average power consumption is 13nW, with an open loop-gain of 76 dB and a unity gain frequency of 250 Hz. The low harmonic distortion OTA can find potential applications in low-power and long time constant filters.