Dual-band waveform generator with ultra-wide low-frequency tuning-range

Abstract

This paper presents a novel mixed-signal low-power dual-band square/triangular waveform generator (WFG) chip with a wide low-frequency tuning range for medical bio-electric stimulation therapy. It consists of a relaxation oscillator comprising a hysteresis Schmitt trigger and a timing integrator, along with frequency divider (FD) stages and path selector output for driving an electrode from 16 selectable channels. It was fabricated using Global Foundries 8RF-DM 130-nm CMOS process with a supply voltage of ±1 V for the oscillator and +1 V for logic circuits. The WFG provides an output of around 1.5 Vp-p at a nominal low oscillation frequency of 17 kHz using small-size on-chip passive components of values 10 kΩ and 10 pF. The WFG core (band I) can be tuned in the range 6.44-1003 kHz through bias current adjustment, while a lower frequency (band II) in the range 0.1 Hz-502 kHz can be provided digitally through a 2 stage. The power consumption was only 0.457 mW for the WFG and 2.1 mW for the FD circuit while occupying a total silicon area of only 18 426 μm2.