Novice Insights

Analysis and Comparison of Universal Biquad

Structures
Tomina SALAJAN, Raul ONET, Marius NEAG, Marina TOPA

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of four multiple-input single-output (MISO)

universal gm-C biquads functional blocks able to implement second-order transfer func-
tions such as low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, band-stop and all-pass without significant
changes to their topology. The analysis focuses on the effects the parasitic capacitances
associated with the unloaded nodes of the biquads nodes where no capacitance is actu-
ally placed has on performance of the resulting filters. Performance comparison is based
on both analytical analysis and simulation results.

1 Introduction

A universal filter is defined as a structure that can realize several transfer functions without
needing any change in its structure. So by simply changing where the input signal is applied
or from where the output signal is taken, lowpass (LP), highpass (HP), bandpass (BP), notch
and allpass (AP) transfer functions can be obtained.
Different implementations can be employed to obtain universal biquads: voltage-mode
implementations (OA-RC topology or Gm-C topology - [1], [7]) or current-mode imple-
mentations (using current conveyors (CCs) or using current feedback operational amplifiers
(CFBOAs)). Out of these, the Gm-C topology is considered as the most suitable one for
monolithic integration, as it doesn’t require resistors for implementation because these can
be implemented with transconductors. Moreover, the transconductance can be easily adjusted
in the linear operation zone, thus enabling a better control of the cut-off frequency.
The present paper will concentrate on analysing four recent structures of second-order
universal filters (also known as universal biquads - [2]-[5]), finding their pros and cons.
The effect of the parasitic capacitances in the unloaded nodes will be taken into account.
For this analytical analysis, the pole splitting and pole clustering methods described in [6] are
used in order to approximate the expressions for all the poles in the circuit.
The pole splitting method assumes the roots of the analysed polynomial are grouped in
distanced regions. If this is not the case for some of the poles, pole clustering will be applied.
One of the disadvantages of this method is that a pair of real roots can appear as a pair of
complex roots.
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2 Analysis
2.1 Abuelma’atti Universal Biquad
The biquad in Figure 1 ([2]) employs 7 single-ended OTAs to form a MISO universal
biquad. This biquad can function in both voltage and current modes, as well as transconduc-
tance and transresistance modes. This versatility can prove very important, depending on the
application, as it can easily become an interface between circuits that function in different
modes.

Figure 1: Abuelma’atti multiple-mode OTA-C universal biquad filter with 7 OTAs; the para-
sitic capacitances at its two unloaded nodes are illustrated by Cp 1 and Cp 2 .

Using this filter it is possible to obtain five transfer functions (LPF, HPF, BPF, notch and
APF) by setting the corresponding values to the voltage and current inputs respectively, as
given in [2]. The voltage transfer function can be found to be of the second order, as in eq. 1.
This will have two complex-conjugated poles.
2 g5 g6 g1 g5
g2 g3 s Vin3 − s C1 Vin2 + s C1 Vin4 + C1 C2 Vin1
Vout = (1)
g4 g7 s2 + s gg43Cg61 + gg41Cg31 gC52
Two nodes without placed capacitance have been identified in the Abuelma’atti bi-
quad, so we will consider parasitic capacitances Cp 1 and Cp 2 for the following analysis. The
denominator of the transfer function becomes of the fourth order, with 2 extra coefficients:
C C C C
s4 pg14 g7p 2 and s3 ( gp41 + gp72 ). Using the pole-splitting and pole-clustering algorithms the
poles are obtained:
p
1 g3 g6 C2 − g32 g62 C22 − 4g1 g3 g4 g5 C1 C2
p1 = − ,
2 g4 C1 C2
p
1 g3 g6 C2 + g32 g62 C22 − 4g1 g3 g4 g5 C1 C2
p2 = − , (2)
2 g4 C1 C2
g4 g7 Cp g7 + Cp 2 g4
p3 = − , p4 = − 1
Cp 1 g7 + Cp 2 g4 Cp 1 Cp 2
It becomes clear from 2 that in order to push p3 and p4 into the high frequency range and
reduce the impact of the parasitic capacitances, Cp 1 and Cp 2 have to be kept to a minimum
and g4 and g7 have to be as large as possible. This condition can be met by devising a suitable
sizing strategy.
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2.2 Lee Universal Biquad

The biquad in Figure 2 ([3]) is also a multiple-mode universal filter, so it can function in
voltage-mode, current-mode, transconductance-mode and transresistance-mode.
It employs two grounded capacitors and 5 OTAs with multiple outputs. It has three cur-
rent/voltage inputs and one current/voltage output, so it is a MISO system. Although the
component number is small, so a small on-chip area and power dissipation can be achieved,
a major disadvantage of this structure is that it cannot be directly implemented as fully-
differential.
Using this filter it is possible to obtain five transfer functions (LPF, HPF, BPF, notch and
APF) by setting the corresponding values to the voltage and current inputs respectively, as
given in [3].

Figure 2: Lee multiple-mode OTA-C universal biquad filter with 5 OTAs; the parasitic capac-
itances at its two unloaded nodes are illustrated by Cp 1 and Cp 2 .

The second order voltage transfer characteristic is obtained in in eq. 3 as in [3]:

2 g2 g3 g1 g2 g3
1 s g3 Vin3 − s C2 Vin2 + C1 C2 Vin1
Vout = (3)
g4 s2 + s Cg32 + Cg21 gC32
The Lee biquad has two nodes without placed capacitances, where Cp 1 and Cp 2 are
considered for the pole analysis. The new transfer function that can be found through a
straightforward circuit analysis and is of the fourth order, with coefficients containing Cp 1
and Cp 2 found in both the numerator and denominator, affecting the second order transfer
function parameters, as well as the higher ones.
Using the pole-splitting and pole-clustering algorithms, the expressions for the poles for
the third order denominator can be found as a function of the following circuit elements:

Cp 1 Cp 2 Cp Cp
p1 = f (g2 , g3 , C1 , C2 , , ), p2 = f (g2 , g3 , C1 , C2 , 1 , 2 ) (4)
g5 g4 g5 g4

Cp 1 Cp 2 Cp Cp
p3 = f (g2 , g3 , C1 , C2 , , ), p4 = f (g3 , 1 , 2 )
g5 g4 g5 g4
In order to push p3 and p4 up to the high frequencies one needs to make g4 and g5 as large
as possible, as was the case for the biquad analysed in the previous Section.
Novice Insights

2.3 Neag 1 Universal Biquad

The biquad in Figure 3 ([4]) contains 8 OTAs, all with a single output, and two grounded
caps. It has three inputs and one output, so it is a MISO type universal filter.
The method to obtain the entire set of transfer functions is based on the choice of inputs
to be used. Filters with complex zeroes, pure imaginary zeros, LPF, HPF, BPF and APF can
be obtained by setting the corresponding values to the input voltages, as shown in [4]. The
voltage transfer function is given in eq. 5.

Figure 3: Neag 1 multiple-input single-output OTA-C universal biquad ; the parasitic capac-
itance at its unloaded node is illustrated by Cp .

2 g2 g5 g1 g4 g5
g3 s Vin3 + s g3 C2 Vin2 + g3 C1 C2 Vin1
Vout = (5)
g6 s2 + s gg65Cg82 + gg64Cg15 gC72
When the parasitic cap in the unloaded node is considered, the voltage transfer charac-
C
teristic becomes of the third order, with one extra coefficient in the denominator: s3 g6p . Using
the pole-splitting and pole-clustering algorithms, the expressions for the poles are found to
be the following: q
2 2 g4 g5 g6 g7 C2
1 g5 g8 + g5 g8 − 4 C1
p1 = − , (6)
2 g6 C2
q
2 2 g4 g5 g6 g7 C2
1 g5 g8 − g5 g8 − 4 C1 g6
p2 = − , p3 = −
2 g6 C2 Cp
To reduce the effect of the parasitic capacitance, one would have to increase the g6 /Cp
ratio up to at least 2 times greater than the maximum operating frequency, such that the asso-
ciated pole is taken to the high frequency range, where it won’t affect the biquad operation.

2.4 Neag 2 Universal Biquad

The following universal biquad ([5]) realizes, with minimum adjustments, a large range
of second degree filters, from the usual low-pass and band-pass to transfer functions with
complex and fully-imaginary zeroes. This biquad utilizes 8 OTAs and two grounded capac-
itors and it manages to minimize the effects of the parasitic capacitance Cp by shifting the
 Novice Insights

unwanted effects to high frequencies, outside the operation range. This is done with the help
of the gyrator made out of g6 and g7 connected in antiparallel and C3 - these three elements
synthesize an inductance that appears in parallel to the parasitic capacitance.

Figure 4: Neag 2 MISO universal biquad with 8 OTAs, which minimizes the effect of the
parasitic capacitance Cp using a gyrator structure.

The transfer functions for all the filter types enumerated before can be deduced by setting
the corresponding input voltages as shown in [5]. We can obtain the output voltage as in eq.
7.
2 g4 g7 g1 g2 g7
g8 C3 s Vin3 + s g8 C3 Vin2 + g8 C1 C3 Vin1
Vout = (7)
g7 C2 s2 + s Cg32 + Cg21 gC52
Fiqure 5 shows the results of the simulations that determine the equivalent impedance of
the circuit for two cases: Cp = 0 and Cp = 3pF . It is therefore shown that the equivalent
impedance of the circuit having the parasitical capacitance is very close to that of the circuit
without the parasitical capacitance, until the resonance frequency.
q
1 g6 g7
By setting the resonance frequency fresonance = 2π C3 Cp high enough, outside of the
operation range of the biquad, the effect of the parasitic capacitance can be almost eliminated.

Figure 5: Equivalent impedance of the gyrator, with and without the parasitical capacitance.
Novice Insights

3 Design Example
The four universal biquad structures will be sized in order to meet the following specifica-
tions: fp = fz = 10M Hz, Qp = Qz = 1 and H0 = 1.
Using an ideal model for the gm-cells with a very large value for the output resistance
(Rout = 1GOhms), each biquad will be simulated and the ideal transfer characteristics will
be shown for all transfer functions (LPF, HPF, BPF, notch, APF).
Also using these ideal gm-cells, parasitic capacitances will be placed in the unloaded
circuit nodes of each biquad. Using the pole-zero analysis in Cadence Virtuoso, the value of
the poles introduced by them will be found. These are compared in Table 1 with the values
derived analytically in the subsections presented before.
The four HP transfer functions of the analysed biquads are shown in Figure 6 obtained
with the ideal gm cells, with placed parasitic caps (100fF) - continuous line and without -
dashed line. The effect of the parasitic capacitances can be noticed starting at around 1GHz,
where the extra poles introduce an attenuation.

Figure 6: Abuelma’atti, Lee, Neag1 and Neag2 universal biquad transfer characteristics for
high-pass configuration ontained with ideal gm-cells without placed parasitic caps (dashed
line) and with placed parasitic caps (100fF) at the unloaded nodes (continuous line).

4 Comparison
The presented universal biquad structures can be compared by taking into account various
criteria. The most important ones are compiled Table 2. It can be seen that the largest
number of Gm cells is found for Neag 2 biquad. Abuelma’atti, Lee and Neag 1 all use the
same number of cells, so would potentially use the same layout area.
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p1[MHz] p2[MHz] p3[GHz] p4[GHz]

Poles
real imaginary real imaginary real real
comp 4.32 -9.02 4.32 9.02 1.13 4.52
Abuelma’atti
sim 4.29 -9 4.29 9 2.26 2.27
comp 8.4 -5.22 8.4 5.22 0.984 3.98
Lee
sim 8.51 -5.245 8.51 5.245 1.7 2.26
comp 5 -8.66 5 8.66 1.99 -
Neag 1
sim 5 -8.67 5 8.67 1.979 -
comp 5 -8.66 5 8.66 - -
Neag 2
sim 4.99 -8.657 4.99 8.657 - -

Table 1: Comparison between the computed values of the filter poles and the ones obtained
in simulations.

Abuelma’atti Lee Neag 1 Neag 2

No. of gm cells (outputs) 8 8 8 9
No. of unloaded nodes 2 2 1 1
No. of poles 4 4 3 2
Cp affects p1 , p2 No Yes No No
Diff. impl. possible No No Yes Yes

Table 2: Comparison between the four presented universal biquad structures

The smallest number of unloaded nodes is found for biquads Neag 1 and Neag 2, while
the largest number is found for Abuelma’atti and Lee. These also have the largest number of
poles found in the transfer characteristic and but the main poles, p1 and p2 , are affected by
the parasitic capacitances only in the case of Lee biquad. The smallest number of poles is ob-
tained for Neag 1. But Neag 2 implements a method to resonate out the parasitic capacitance
in the unloaded node by using a gyrator structure.
Neither of the four analysed biquads is orthogonal, but various strategies can be found for
each to vary the gain or the cut-off frequency and the corresponding quality factor through
transfer function parameter-controlling element pairs.
Finally, only two of these structures can be the subject of a differential implementation:
Neag 1 and Neag 2. This type of implementation is preferred in industry because of the very
important improvements it brings in CMRR, THD and noise performances of the circuits,
despite the increased current consumption.

5 Conclusions
Four recent OTA-C universal biquad structures were presented, their circuit equations were
derived and the conditions to obtain the desired functions were given. For all of them, the
effects of the parasitic capacitances were analysed and methods to reduce the effects or elim-
inate them were discussed, such as placing a gyrator that would resonate out its effects in the
case of the Neag 2 biquad, or using a sizing strategy that would push the secondary poles to
higher frequencies for the other three biquads. The analytical expression of the poles for each
Novice Insights

biquad was approximated using the pole-splitting and pole-clustering algorithms.

An ideal transconductor model was used to simulate the four structures and show the
transfer characteristics with and without parasitic capacitances. The values of each of the
poles were found and compared to those computed in the analyses.
Finally, a comparison was made between the analysed structures, taking into account
various criteria: number of gm cells, number of unloaded nodes, the effect of the parasitic ca-
pacitances over the biquad performances and the possibility of a differential implementation.

References
[1] M. Neag, ”Sisteme cu circuite integrate analogice”, Mediamira, 2008.

[2] Abuelma’atti, Muhammad Taher, and Abdulwahab Bentrcia. ”A novel mixed-mode OTA-C uni-
versal filter”, International Journal of Electronics 92.7 (2005): 375-383.

[3] Lee, Chen-Nong. ”Multiple-mode OTA-C universal biquad filters”, Circuits, Systems and Signal
Processing 29.2 (2010): 263-274.

[4] Neag, Marius, Liviu Nedelea, Marina Topa, Lelia Festila, ”A New OTA-C Electronically Tunable
Orthogonal Universal Biquad”, Proceedings of the International ProRISC, 23-24 November, 2006,
Veldhoven, Olanda, pp. 61-66.

[5] Neag, Marius, Raul Onet, and Marina Topa. ”A new OTA-C universal biquad resonates out the
main parasitic capacitance.” Circuit Theory and Design, 2009. ECCTD 2009. European Conference
on. IEEE, 2009.

[6] Marina Dana Topa, ”Analiza simbolica a circuitelor electronice”, Casa Cartii de Stiinta, 1998.

[7] Deliyannis, T., Y. Sun, JK. Fidler, ”Continuous time active filter design”, CRC Press, USA (1999).

Biography
Tomina Salajan has received her B.Sc. degree in 2011 and her M.Sc. degree in 2013
from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca as the top of her class. She then started her
Ph.D. studies at the same university. Her interests include analog filters and analog-to-digital
converters.

Tomina SALAJAN, phD. student

Technical University of Cluj-Napoca
Electronics, Telecommunication and Information Technology
26-28th George Baritiu Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
E-mail: tomina.salajan@bel.utcluj.ro