FIGURE : Emitter coupled pair

Here, the values of the currents IE1 and IE2 are given by the equations:

- (1)

- (2)
Let . Since + = IEE, Therefore the values of and are given
as:

- (3)

- (4)

The values of the respective collector currents is also the same if the value of α is assumed to
be nearly equal to 1.

Similarly, now for the BJT Gilbert multiplier we have:

Let the voltage between the collectors of transistors Q1 and Q2 be Vx.

- (5)

- (6)

- (7)

- (8)

Now the two currents and are related to the voltage V1 as follows:

- (9)

- (10)

Let I3= I4= I. Now substituting the values of and in expressions for and
.

- (11)

- (12)

- (13)
 - (14)

The differential output current is given by:

- (15)

Substituting the above values of the collector currents we have,

– (16)

If and both are less than , then the value of tanx can be approximately equal to x and
the circuit will behave like a multiplier. Thus the circuit performs analog multiplication for
small amplitude signals. However, in many applications the amplitudes of the input voltage
signals are much larger than VT.

Hence the methodology that is followed is to put a predefined non linearity in the circuit to
nullify for the tan hyperbolic nature of the Gilbert cell. The requisite nonlinearity in the
circuit is an inverse hyperbolic tangent function.

FIGURE : Removing the hyperbolic nature of the Gilbert Cell

Now the function of the transistors Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 is to introduce a non linearity in the
form of inverse hyperbolic tangent characteristic. Let us assume that the circuitry produces a
differential output current that is related linearly to the input voltage V2.

Let the currents in Q1 and Q2 be I1 and I2 respectively. Then:

I1 = Io1 + V/R4– (17)

I2 = Io1 - V/R4 – (18)

Where Io1 = I1 = I2 and V . Let 1/R4 = K1.

So, the differential voltage developed across the 2 diode connected transistors Q3 and Q4 is
given by:

- (19)

- (20)

Now using the identity tanh-1x =0.5 ln , we have:

- (21)

Similarly performing the above steps for the other voltage input, we have:
 - (22)

The Gilbert Multiplier’output is a current. In case it is needed to have an oiutput in the form
of voltage, a differential current to a voltage converter is used. This could be implemented by
using the two resistors connected to Vcc.

(23)

Where, R2= R3 = R.