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Lovecchio N, Di Meo V, Pietrelli A. Customized Multichannel Measurement System for Microbial Fuel Cell Characterization. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:bioengineering10050624. [PMID: 37237694 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10050624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This work presents the development of an automatic and customized measuring system employing sigma-delta analog-to-digital converters and transimpedance amplifiers for precise measurements of voltage and current signals generated by microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The system can perform multi-step discharge protocols to accurately measure the power output of MFCs, and has been calibrated to ensure high precision and low noise measurements. One of the key features of the proposed measuring system is its ability to conduct long-term measurements with variable time steps. Moreover, it is portable and cost-effective, making it ideal for use in laboratories without sophisticated bench instrumentation. The system is expandable, ranging from 2 to 12 channels by adding dual-channel boards, which allows for testing of multiple MFCs simultaneously. The functionality of the system was tested using a six-channel setup, and the results demonstrated its ability to detect and distinguish current signals from different MFCs with varying output characteristics. The power measurements obtained using the system also allow for the determination of the output resistance of the MFCs being tested. Overall, the developed measuring system is a useful tool for characterizing the performance of MFCs, and can be helpful in the optimization and development of sustainable energy production technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Lovecchio
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Di Meo
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, National Research Council of Italy, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Pietrelli
- Department of Information Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunications, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
- Univ Lyon, INSA Lyon, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Ecole Centrale de Lyon, CNRS, Ampere, UMR5505, 69621 Villeurbanne, France
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2
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Su YD, Leatherman CN, Wang Y, Ohodnicki PR. Reflective Fiber Temperature Probe Based on Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance towards Low-Cost and Wireless Interrogation. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:4165. [PMID: 37112515 PMCID: PMC10147011 DOI: 10.3390/s23084165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Reflection fiber temperature sensors functionalized with plasmonic nanocomposite material using intensity-based modulation are demonstrated for the first time. Characteristic temperature optical response of the reflective fiber sensor is experimentally tested using Au-incorporated nanocomposite thin films deposited on the fiber tip, and theoretically validated using a thin-film-optic-based optical waveguide model. By optimizing the Au concentration in a dielectric matrix, Au nanoparticles (NP) exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption band in a visible wavelength that shows a temperature sensitivity ~0.025%/°C as a result of electron-electron and electron-phonon scattering of Au NP and the surrounding matrix. Detailed optical material properties of the on-fiber sensor film are characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and focused-ion beam (FIB)-assisted transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Airy's expression of transmission and reflection using complex optical constants of layered media is used to model the reflective optical waveguide. A low-cost wireless interrogator based on a photodiode transimpedance-amplifier (TIA) circuit with a low-pass filter is designed to integrate with the sensor. The converted analog voltage is wirelessly transmitted via 2.4 GHz Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) protocols. Feasibility is demonstrated for portable, remotely interrogated next-generation fiber optic temperature sensors with future capability for monitoring additional parameters of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Duan Su
- Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Carter Neal Leatherman
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Yuankang Wang
- Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Paul Richard Ohodnicki
- Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
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3
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Cadatal-Raduban M, Pope J, Olejníček J, Kohout M, Harrison JA, Hasan SMR. Ultraviolet-C Photoresponsivity Using Fabricated TiO 2 Thin Films and Transimpedance-Amplifier-Based Test Setup. Sensors (Basel) 2022; 22:8176. [PMID: 36365873 PMCID: PMC9657381 DOI: 10.3390/s22218176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We report on fabricated titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films along with a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) test setup as a photoconductivity detector (sensor) in the ultraviolet-C (UV-C) wavelength region, particularly at 260 nm. TiO2 thin films deposited on high-resistivity undoped silicon-substrate at thicknesses of 100, 500, and 1000 nm exhibited photoresponsivities of 81.6, 55.6, and 19.6 mA/W, respectively, at 30 V bias voltage. Despite improvements in the crystallinity of the thicker films, the decrease in photocurrent, photoconductivity, photoconductance, and photoresponsivity in thicker films is attributed to an increased number of defects. Varying the thickness of the film can, however, be leveraged to control the wavelength response of the detector. Future development of a chip-based portable UV-C detector using TiO2 thin films will open new opportunities for a wide range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilou Cadatal-Raduban
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
- Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University, 2-6 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jade Pope
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
| | - Jiří Olejníček
- Department of Low Temperature Plasma, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Slovance 1999/2, 182 21 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kohout
- Department of Low Temperature Plasma, Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Slovance 1999/2, 182 21 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - John A. Harrison
- School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
| | - S. M. Rezaul Hasan
- Center for Research in Analog and VLSI Microsystem Design, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New Zealand
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4
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Rad RE, Hejazi A, Asl SAH, Shehzad K, Verma D, Kim S, Rikan BS, Pu Y, Kim JT, Hwang KC, Yang Y, Lee KY. A 77-dB Dynamic-Range Analog Front-End for Fine-Dust Detection Systems with Dual-Mode Ultra-Low Noise TIA. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:s21196360. [PMID: 34640682 PMCID: PMC8512889 DOI: 10.3390/s21196360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents an analog front-end for fine-dust detection systems with a 77-dB-wide dynamic range and a dual-mode ultra-low noise TIA with 142-dBΩ towards the maximum gain. The required high sensitivity of the analog signal conditioning path dictates having a high sensitivity at the front-end while the Input-Referred Noise (IRN) is kept low. Therefore, a TIA with a high sensitivity to detected current bio-signals is provided by a photodiode module. The analog front end is formed by the TIA, a DC-Offset Cancellation (DCOC) circuit, a Single-to-Differential Amplifier (SDA), and two Programmable Gain Amplifiers (PGAs). Gain adjustment is implemented by a coarse-gain-step using selective loads with four different gain values and fine-gain steps by 42 dB dynamic range during 16 fine steps. The settling time of the TIA is compensated using a capacitive compensation which is applied for the last stage. An off-state circuitry is proposed to avoid any off-current leakage. This TIA is designed in a 0.18 µm standard CMOS technology. Post-layout simulations show a high gain operation with a 67 dB dynamic range, input-referred noise, less than 600 fA/√Hz in low frequencies, and less than 27 fA/√Hz at 20 kHz, a minimum detectable current signal of 4 pA, and a 2.71 mW power consumption. After measuring the full path of the analog signal conditioning path, the experimental results of the fabricated chip show a maximum gain of 142 dB for the TIA. The Single-to-Differential Amplifier delivers a differential waveform with a unity gain. The PGA1 and PGA2 show a maximum gain of 6.7 dB and 6.3 dB, respectively. The full-path analog front-end shows a wide dynamic range of up to 77 dB in the measurement results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza E. Rad
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea; (R.E.R.); (A.H.); (S.-A.H.A.); (K.S.); (D.V.); (S.K.); (B.S.R.); (Y.P.); (K.C.H.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Arash Hejazi
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea; (R.E.R.); (A.H.); (S.-A.H.A.); (K.S.); (D.V.); (S.K.); (B.S.R.); (Y.P.); (K.C.H.); (Y.Y.)
- SKAIChips Co., Ltd., Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Seyed-Ali H. Asl
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea; (R.E.R.); (A.H.); (S.-A.H.A.); (K.S.); (D.V.); (S.K.); (B.S.R.); (Y.P.); (K.C.H.); (Y.Y.)
- SKAIChips Co., Ltd., Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Khuram Shehzad
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea; (R.E.R.); (A.H.); (S.-A.H.A.); (K.S.); (D.V.); (S.K.); (B.S.R.); (Y.P.); (K.C.H.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Deeksha Verma
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea; (R.E.R.); (A.H.); (S.-A.H.A.); (K.S.); (D.V.); (S.K.); (B.S.R.); (Y.P.); (K.C.H.); (Y.Y.)
| | - SungJin Kim
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea; (R.E.R.); (A.H.); (S.-A.H.A.); (K.S.); (D.V.); (S.K.); (B.S.R.); (Y.P.); (K.C.H.); (Y.Y.)
- SKAIChips Co., Ltd., Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Behnam S. Rikan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea; (R.E.R.); (A.H.); (S.-A.H.A.); (K.S.); (D.V.); (S.K.); (B.S.R.); (Y.P.); (K.C.H.); (Y.Y.)
- SKAIChips Co., Ltd., Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - YoungGun Pu
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea; (R.E.R.); (A.H.); (S.-A.H.A.); (K.S.); (D.V.); (S.K.); (B.S.R.); (Y.P.); (K.C.H.); (Y.Y.)
- SKAIChips Co., Ltd., Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Joon Tae Kim
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea;
| | - Keum Cheol Hwang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea; (R.E.R.); (A.H.); (S.-A.H.A.); (K.S.); (D.V.); (S.K.); (B.S.R.); (Y.P.); (K.C.H.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Youngoo Yang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea; (R.E.R.); (A.H.); (S.-A.H.A.); (K.S.); (D.V.); (S.K.); (B.S.R.); (Y.P.); (K.C.H.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Kang-Yoon Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea; (R.E.R.); (A.H.); (S.-A.H.A.); (K.S.); (D.V.); (S.K.); (B.S.R.); (Y.P.); (K.C.H.); (Y.Y.)
- SKAIChips Co., Ltd., Suwon 16419, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-299-4954
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Lee S, Jin J, Baek J, Lee J, Chae H. Readout Integrated Circuit for Small-Sized and Low-Power Gas Sensor Based on HEMT Device. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:5637. [PMID: 34451080 DOI: 10.3390/s21165637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a small-sized, low-power gas sensor system combining a high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) device and readout integrated circuit (ROIC). Using a semiconductor-based HEMT as a gas-sensing device, it is possible to secure high sensitivity, reduced complexity, low power, and small size of the ROIC sensor system. Unlike existing gas sensors comprising only HEMT elements, the proposed sensor system has both an ROIC and a digital controller and can control sensor operation through a simple calibration process with digital signal processing while maintaining constant performance despite variations. The ROIC mainly consists of a transimpedance amplifier (TIA), a negative-voltage generator, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and is designed to match a minimum target detection unit of 1 ppm for hydrogen. The prototype ROIC for the HEMT presented herein was implemented in a 0.18 µm complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) process. The total measured power consumption and detection unit of the proposed ROIC for hydrogen gas were 3.1 mW and 2.6 ppm, respectively.
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6
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Joo JE, Lee MJ, Park SM. A CMOS Optoelectronic Receiver IC with an On-Chip Avalanche Photodiode for Home-Monitoring LiDAR Sensors. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:s21134364. [PMID: 34202334 PMCID: PMC8271511 DOI: 10.3390/s21134364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents an optoelectronic receiver (Rx) IC with an on-chip avalanche photodiode (APD) realized in a 0.18-μm CMOS process for the applications of home-monitoring light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors, where the on-chip CMOS P+/N-well APD was implemented to avoid the unwanted signal distortion from bondwires and electro-static discharge (ESD) protection diodes. Various circuit techniques are exploited in this work, such as the feedforward transimpedance amplifier for high gain, and a limiting amplifier with negative impedance compensation for wide bandwidth. Measured results demonstrate 93.4-dBΩ transimpedance gain, 790-MHz bandwidth, 12-pA/√Hz noise current spectral density, 6.74-μApp minimum detectable signal that corresponds to the maximum detection range of 10 m, and 56.5-mW power dissipation from a 1.8-V supply. This optoelectronic Rx IC provides a potential for a low-cost low-power solution in the applications of home-monitoring LiDAR sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Eun Joo
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea;
- Graduate Program in Smart Factory, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - Myung-Jae Lee
- Post-Silicon Semiconductor Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea;
| | - Sung Min Park
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea;
- Graduate Program in Smart Factory, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
- Correspondence:
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7
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Perelló-Roig R, Verd J, Bota S, Segura J. A Tunable-Gain Transimpedance Amplifier for CMOS-MEMS Resonators Characterization. Micromachines (Basel) 2021; 12:mi12010082. [PMID: 33467477 PMCID: PMC7830080 DOI: 10.3390/mi12010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
CMOS-MEMS resonators have become a promising solution thanks to their miniaturization and on-chip integration capabilities. However, using a CMOS technology to fabricate microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices limits the electromechanical performance otherwise achieved by specific technologies, requiring a challenging readout circuitry. This paper presents a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) fabricated using a commercial 0.35-µm CMOS technology specifically oriented to drive and sense monolithically integrated CMOS-MEMS resonators up to 50 MHz with a tunable transimpedance gain ranging from 112 dB to 121 dB. The output voltage noise is as low as 225 nV/Hz1/2—input-referred current noise of 192 fA/Hz1/2—at 10 MHz, and the power consumption is kept below 1-mW. In addition, the TIA amplifier exhibits an open-loop gain independent of the parasitic input capacitance—mostly associated with the MEMS layout—representing an advantage in MEMS testing compared to other alternatives such as Pierce oscillator schemes. The work presented includes the characterization of three types of MEMS resonators that have been fabricated and experimentally characterized both in open-loop and self-sustained configurations using the integrated TIA amplifier. The experimental characterization includes an accurate extraction of the electromechanical parameters for the three fabricated structures that enables an accurate MEMS-CMOS circuitry co-design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafel Perelló-Roig
- Electronic Systems Group (GSE-UIB), University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma, Spain; (R.P.-R.); (S.B.); (J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, IdISBa, 07010 Palma, Spain
| | - Jaume Verd
- Electronic Systems Group (GSE-UIB), University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma, Spain; (R.P.-R.); (S.B.); (J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, IdISBa, 07010 Palma, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-971-172006
| | - Sebastià Bota
- Electronic Systems Group (GSE-UIB), University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma, Spain; (R.P.-R.); (S.B.); (J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, IdISBa, 07010 Palma, Spain
| | - Jaume Segura
- Electronic Systems Group (GSE-UIB), University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma, Spain; (R.P.-R.); (S.B.); (J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands, IdISBa, 07010 Palma, Spain
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8
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Royo G, Sánchez-Azqueta C, Aldea C, Celma S. High-Sensitivity Large-Area Photodiode Read-Out Using a Divide-and-Conquer Technique. Sensors (Basel) 2020; 20:s20216316. [PMID: 33167570 PMCID: PMC7664252 DOI: 10.3390/s20216316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this letter, we present a novel technique to increase the sensitivity of optical read-out with large integrated photodiodes (PD). It consists of manufacturing the PD in several pieces, instead of a single device, and connecting a dedicated transimpedance amplifier (TIA) to each of these pieces. The output signals of the TIAs are combined, achieving a higher signal-to-noise ratio than with the traditional approach. This work shows a remarkable improvement in the sensitivity and transimpedance without the need for additional modifications or compensation techniques. As a result, an increase in sensitivity of 7.9 dBm and transimpedance of 8.7 dBΩ for the same bandwidth is achieved when dividing the photodiode read-out into 16 parallel paths. The proposed divide-and-conquer technique can be applied to any TIA design, and it is also independent of the core amplifier structure and fabrication process, which means it is compatible with every technology allowing the integration of PDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Royo
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Communications, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.A.); (S.C.)
| | | | - Concepción Aldea
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Communications, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.A.); (S.C.)
| | - Santiago Celma
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Communications, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain; (C.A.); (S.C.)
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9
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Stornelli V, Pantoli L, Barile G, Leoni A, D'Amico E. Silicon Photomultiplier Sensor Interface Based on a Discrete Second Generation Voltage Conveyor. Sensors (Basel) 2020; 20:E2042. [PMID: 32260552 DOI: 10.3390/s20072042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This work presents the design of a discrete second-generation voltage conveyor (VCII) and its capability to be used as electronic interface for silicon photomultipliers. The design addressed here exploits directly at the transistor level, with commercial components, the proposed interface; the obtained performance is valuable considering both the discrete elements and the application. The architecture adopted here realizes a transimpedance amplifier that is also able to drive very high input impedance, as usually requested by photons detection. Schematic and circuital design of the discrete second-generation voltage conveyor is presented and discussed. The complete circuit interface requires a bias current of 20 mA with a dual 5V supply voltage; it has a useful bandwidth of about 106 MHz, and considering also the reduced dimensions, it is a good candidate to be used in portable applications without the need of high-cost dedicated integrated circuits.
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Bouchami A, Elsayed MY, Nabki F. A Sub-mW 18-MHz MEMS Oscillator Based on a 98-dB Ω Adjustable Bandwidth Transimpedance Amplifier and a Lamé-Mode Resonator. Sensors (Basel) 2019; 19:E2680. [PMID: 31200575 PMCID: PMC6631707 DOI: 10.3390/s19122680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based oscillator based on a Lamé-mode capacitive micromachined resonator and a fully differential high-gain transimpedance amplifier (TIA). The proposed TIA is designed using TSMC 65 nm CMOS technology and consumes only 0.9 mA from a 1-V supply. The measured mid-band transimpedance gain is 98 dB Ω and the TIA features an adjustable bandwidth with a maximum bandwidth of 142 MHz for a parasitic capacitance C P of 4 pF. The measured input-referred current noise of the TIA at mid-band is below 15 pA/ Hz . The TIA is connected to a Lamé-mode resonator, and the oscillator performance in terms of phase noise and frequency stability is presented. The measured phase noise under vacuum is -120 dBc/Hz at a 1-kHz offset, while the phase noise floor reaches -127 dBc/Hz. The measured short-term stability of the MEMS-based oscillator is ±0.25 ppm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoir Bouchami
- Department of Electrical Engineering, École de technologie supérieure, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada.
| | - Mohannad Y Elsayed
- Department of Electrical Engineering, École de technologie supérieure, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada.
| | - Frederic Nabki
- Department of Electrical Engineering, École de technologie supérieure, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada.
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11
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Lin B, Atef M, Wang G. 14.85 µW Analog Front-End for Photoplethysmography Acquisition with 142-dBΩ Gain and 64.2-pA rms Noise. Sensors (Basel) 2019; 19:E512. [PMID: 30691150 DOI: 10.3390/s19030512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A low-power, high-gain, and low-noise analog front-end (AFE) for wearable photoplethysmography (PPG) acquisition systems is designed and fabricated in a 0.35 μm CMOS process. A high transimpedance gain of 142 dBΩ and a low input-referred noise of only 64.2 pArms was achieved. A Sub-Hz filter was integrated using a pseudo resistor, resulting in a small silicon area. To mitigate the saturation problem caused by background light (BGL), a BGL cancellation loop and a new simple automatic gain control block are used to enhance the dynamic range and improve the linearity of the AFE. The measurement results show that a DC photocurrent component up-to-10 μA can be rejected and the PPG output swing can reach 1.42 Vpp at THD < 1%. The chip consumes a total power of 14.85 μW using a single 3.3-V power supply. In this work, the small area and efficiently integrated blocks were used to implement the PPG AFE and the silicon area is minimized to 0.8 mm × 0.8 mm.
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Du Y, He C, Hao G, Zhang W, Xue C. Full-Differential Folded-Cascode Front-End Receiver Amplifier Integrated Circuit for Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers. Micromachines (Basel) 2019; 10:mi10020088. [PMID: 30691047 PMCID: PMC6412642 DOI: 10.3390/mi10020088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the design of a front-end receiver amplifier for capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). The proposed operational amplifier (op amp) consists of a full differential folded-cascode amplifier stage followed by a class AB output stage. A feedback resistor is applied between the input and the output of the op amp to make a transimpedance amplifier. We analyzed the equivalent circuit model of the CMUT element operating in the receiving mode and obtained the static output impedance and center frequency characteristics of the CMUT. The op amp gain, bandwidth, noise, and power consumption trade-offs are discussed in detail. The amplifier was fabricated using GlobalFoundries 0.18-μm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The open loop gain of the amplifier is approximately 65 dB, and its gain bandwidth product is approximately 29.5 MHz. The measured input reference noise current was 56 nA/√Hz@3 MHz. The amplifier chip area is 325 μm × 150 μm and the op amp is powered by ±3.3 V, the static power consumption is 11 mW. We verified the correct operation of our amplifier with CMUT and echo-pulse shown that the CMUT center frequency is 3 MHz with 92% fractional bandwidth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiheng Du
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement, North University of China, Shanxi,Taiyuan 030051, China.
| | - Changde He
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement, North University of China, Shanxi,Taiyuan 030051, China.
| | - Guowei Hao
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement, North University of China, Shanxi,Taiyuan 030051, China.
| | - Wendong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement, North University of China, Shanxi,Taiyuan 030051, China.
| | - Chenyang Xue
- Key Laboratory of Instrumentation Science & Dynamic Measurement, North University of China, Shanxi,Taiyuan 030051, China.
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Starecki T, Wieczorek PZ. A High Sensitivity Preamplifier for Quartz Tuning Forks in QEPAS (Quartz Enhanced PhotoAcoustic Spectroscopy) Applications. Sensors (Basel) 2017; 17:E2528. [PMID: 29099765 DOI: 10.3390/s17112528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 10/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
All the preamplifiers dedicated for Quartz Enhanced PhotoAcoustic Spectroscopy (QEPAS) applications that have so far been reported in the literature have been based on operational amplifiers working in transimpedance configurations. Taking into consideration that QEPAS sensors are based on quartz tuning forks, and that quartz has a relatively high voltage constant and relatively low charge constant, it seems that a transimpedance amplifier is not an optimal solution. This paper describes the design of a quartz QEPAS sensor preamplifier, implemented with voltage amplifier configuration. Discussion of an electrical model of the circuit and preliminary measurements are presented. Both theoretical analysis and experiments show that use of the voltage configuration allows for a substantial increase of the output signal in comparison to the transimpedance circuit with the same tuning fork working in identical conditions. Assuming that the sensitivity of the QEPAS technique depends directly on the properties of the preamplifier, use of the voltage amplifier configuration should result in an increase of QEPAS sensitivity by one to two orders of magnitude.
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Jeong GS, Bae W, Jeong DK. Review of CMOS Integrated Circuit Technologies for High-Speed Photo-Detection. Sensors (Basel) 2017; 17:E1962. [PMID: 28841154 DOI: 10.3390/s17091962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The bandwidth requirement of wireline communications has increased exponentially because of the ever-increasing demand for data centers and high-performance computing systems. However, it becomes difficult to satisfy the requirement with legacy electrical links which suffer from frequency-dependent losses due to skin effects, dielectric losses, channel reflections, and crosstalk, resulting in a severe bandwidth limitation. In order to overcome this challenge, it is necessary to introduce optical communication technology, which has been mainly used for long-reach communications, such as long-haul networks and metropolitan area networks, to the medium- and short-reach communication systems. However, there still remain important issues to be resolved to facilitate the adoption of the optical technologies. The most critical challenges are the energy efficiency and the cost competitiveness as compared to the legacy copper-based electrical communications. One possible solution is silicon photonics which has long been investigated by a number of research groups. Despite inherent incompatibility of silicon with the photonic world, silicon photonics is promising and is the only solution that can leverage the mature complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies. Silicon photonics can be utilized in not only wireline communications but also countless sensor applications. This paper introduces a brief review of silicon photonics first and subsequently describes the history, overview, and categorization of the CMOS IC technology for high-speed photo-detection without enumerating the complex circuital expressions and terminologies.
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Trumpis M, Insanally M, Zou J, Elsharif A, Ghomashchi A, Sertac Artan N, Froemke RC, Viventi J. A low-cost, scalable, current-sensing digital headstage for high channel count μECoG. J Neural Eng 2017; 14:026009. [PMID: 28102827 PMCID: PMC5385258 DOI: 10.1088/1741-2552/aa5a82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE High channel count electrode arrays allow for the monitoring of large-scale neural activity at high spatial resolution. Implantable arrays featuring many recording sites require compact, high bandwidth front-end electronics. In the present study, we investigated the use of a small, light weight, and low cost digital current-sensing integrated circuit for acquiring cortical surface signals from a 61-channel micro-electrocorticographic (μECoG) array. APPROACH We recorded both acute and chronic μECoG signal from rat auditory cortex using our novel digital current-sensing headstage. For direct comparison, separate recordings were made in the same anesthetized preparations using an analog voltage headstage. A model of electrode impedance explained the transformation between current- and voltage-sensed signals, and was used to reconstruct cortical potential. We evaluated the digital headstage using several metrics of the baseline and response signals. MAIN RESULTS The digital current headstage recorded neural signal with similar spatiotemporal statistics and auditory frequency tuning compared to the voltage signal. The signal-to-noise ratio of auditory evoked responses (AERs) was significantly stronger in the current signal. Stimulus decoding based on true and reconstructed voltage signals were not significantly different. Recordings from an implanted system showed AERs that were detectable and decodable for 52 d. The reconstruction filter mitigated the thermal current noise of the electrode impedance and enhanced overall SNR. SIGNIFICANCE We developed and validated a novel approach to headstage acquisition that used current-input circuits to independently digitize 61 channels of μECoG measurements of the cortical field. These low-cost circuits, intended to measure photo-currents in digital imaging, not only provided a signal representing the local cortical field with virtually the same sensitivity and specificity as a traditional voltage headstage but also resulted in a small, light headstage that can easily be scaled to record from hundreds of channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Trumpis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, United States of America
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Royo G, Sánchez-Azqueta C, Gimeno C, Aldea C, Celma S. Programmable Low-Power Low-Noise Capacitance to Voltage Converter for MEMS Accelerometers. Sensors (Basel) 2016; 17:E67. [PMID: 28042830 DOI: 10.3390/s17010067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this work, we present a capacitance-to-voltage converter (CVC) for capacitive accelerometers based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Based on a fully-differential transimpedance amplifier (TIA), it features a 34-dB transimpedance gain control and over one decade programmable bandwidth, from 75 kHz to 1.2 MHz. The TIA is aimed for low-cost low-power capacitive sensor applications. It has been designed in a standard 0.18-μm CMOS technology and its power consumption is only 54 μW. At the maximum transimpedance configuration, the TIA shows an equivalent input noise of 42 fA/Hz at 50 kHz, which corresponds to 100 μg/Hz.
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Crescentini M, Bennati M, Saha SC, Ivica J, de Planque M, Morgan H, Tartagni M. A Low-Noise Transimpedance Amplifier for BLM-Based Ion Channel Recording. Sensors (Basel) 2016; 16:E709. [PMID: 27213382 DOI: 10.3390/s16050709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Revised: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
High-throughput screening (HTS) using ion channel recording is a powerful drug discovery technique in pharmacology. Ion channel recording with planar bilayer lipid membranes (BLM) is scalable and has very high sensitivity. A HTS system based on BLM ion channel recording faces three main challenges: (i) design of scalable microfluidic devices; (ii) design of compact ultra-low-noise transimpedance amplifiers able to detect currents in the pA range with bandwidth >10 kHz; (iii) design of compact, robust and scalable systems that integrate these two elements. This paper presents a low-noise transimpedance amplifier with integrated A/D conversion realized in CMOS 0.35 μm technology. The CMOS amplifier acquires currents in the range ±200 pA and ±20 nA, with 100 kHz bandwidth while dissipating 41 mW. An integrated digital offset compensation loop balances any voltage offsets from Ag/AgCl electrodes. The measured open-input input-referred noise current is as low as 4 fA/√Hz at ±200 pA range. The current amplifier is embedded in an integrated platform, together with a microfluidic device, for current recording from ion channels. Gramicidin-A, α-haemolysin and KcsA potassium channels have been used to prove both the platform and the current-to-digital converter.
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Kim J, Kim J, Ko H. Low-Power Photoplethysmogram Acquisition Integrated Circuit with Robust Light Interference Compensation. Sensors (Basel) 2015; 16:E46. [PMID: 26729122 DOI: 10.3390/s16010046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 12/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
To overcome light interference, including a large DC offset and ambient light variation, a robust photoplethysmogram (PPG) readout chip is fabricated using a 0.13-μm complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) process. Against the large DC offset, a saturation detection and current feedback circuit is proposed to compensate for an offset current of up to 30 μA. For robustness against optical path variation, an automatic emitted light compensation method is adopted. To prevent ambient light interference, an alternating sampling and charge redistribution technique is also proposed. In the proposed technique, no additional power is consumed, and only three differential switches and one capacitor are required. The PPG readout channel consumes 26.4 μW and has an input referred current noise of 260 pArms.
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