FGMOS Based Built-In Current Sensor for Low Supply Voltage Analog and Mixed-Signal Circuits Testing

Abstract

A simple current mirror using floating-gate MOS transistors (FGMOS) operating in the linear region is used in this work, to design a built-in current sensor (BICS). The important feature in this application is that the voltage drop across the sensing device can be reduced to almost zero value (less than 50 mV). This makes the proposed BICS appropriate for modern very low supply voltage applications. The proposed BICS in conjunction with an RMS-to-DC converter and a novel current window comparator can be used to efficiently achieve supply current monitoring of analog and mixed-signal circuit testing.

Probabilistic Modelling of Variation in FGMOSFET

“…As with conventional MOSFETs, the performance of FGMOSFET based circuits and systems are deteriorated by circuit level random variations induced by variations in manufacturing processes, random dopant fluctuation, lithographic variation, variation in contact resistance and line edge roughness, among other factors. To handle these difficulties, the design of many FGMOSFET based circuits and systems has been done using the concept of statistical/variability aware design as proposed in numerous studies [4], [15][16][17][18][19][20][21].…”

Realistic model for the multiple‐input floating‐gate transistor

“…Currently, floating‐gate metal–oxide–semiconductor (FGMOS) transistors represent a promising alternative for the construction of analog and digital circuits. Unfortunately, circuit designers face an important problem: the lack of a reliable simulation model, which is fundamental to correctly predict the behavior of an integrated circuit prior to its fabrication.…”