Dynamic power optimization of active filters with application to zero-IF receivers

This paper describes the use of dynamic impedance scaling and dynamic biasing to dynamically optimize the power dissipation of filters depending on the inband signal level. Transients due to the dynamical changes inside the filter are prevented thanks to the implementation of appropriate switching algorithms. To illustrate the concept, a fifth-order Chebychev low-pass active-RC filter with 100-kHz cutoff frequency, designed for partial channel selection in a zero-IF GSM receiver, is presented. The filter is fabricated in a standard 0.18-μm CMOS process and uses a 1.2-V power supply. It consumes 2.22-mA supply current during the presence of the minimum receivable signal. The power dissipation decreases by a factor of 2 as the desired signal strength increases by 3 dB, until it reaches its minimum possible value of 0.46 mW. There are a total of five power settings in the filter.