2018 IEEE 24th International Symposium for Design and Technology in Electronic Packaging (SIITME)
Design and Simulation of a Sixth Order Band-Pass
Gm-C Filter
Elena-Mirela Stetco, Ovidiu Aurel Pop, Alin Grama,
Doris Csipkes
Applied Electronics
Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and
Information Technology,
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania
stetco_elena@yahoo.com
Abstract—This paper is focused on achieving high-frequency
CMOS circuits for continuous-time filters used in the range of tens
of megahertz, used in wireless systems. The implementation and
the performance of a 6th order differential band-pass filter using
the Gm-C (transconductance – capacitor) topology are analyzed.
The Butterworth type of approximation is evaluated. The
performances of the circuits are proved by using two basic
methods to build a high-order filter: one by cascading Tow-
Thomas biquads sections and the second one by emulating a
passive LC ladder filter. The accuracy of Gm-C filters design is
demonstrated by simulating all possible test scenarios. As a main
contribution, the design of the building blocks was made based on
the mathematical model. A comparison between the synthesis
methods has been performed.
Keywords—Wireless systems, Gm-C topology, Band-pass filter,
CMOS technology
I. INTRODUCTION
The transoconductance- capacitor (Gm-C) stages are used in
the architecture of several continuous time circuits for
processing analog signals such as filters or any other circuits as
oscillators. A considerable interest in using the Gm-C filters is
that these circuits offer a very good efficiency and low-power
consumption (few milliwatts). Also, the domain in which they
can perform is around several hundreds of kilohertz to hundreds
of megahertz and the quality factor can be adjusted through the
control of the output resistance.
Compared with active RC filters, the advantage of Gm-C
continuous time filters is the higher frequency performance [1].
Widely discussed in high speed applications, such as RF/IF
filter, wireless communications, digital videos, this type of
filters can be tuned with high precision. Technical specifications
of the filters directly depend on the value of transconductors,
which can be continuously adjusted by the bias voltage and of
the capacitors values [2][4].
The transmitter and receiver circuits of numerous wireless
systems uses the band-pass filters (BPF) to achieve the channel
selection and to filter in the radio frequency (RF) and
intermediate frequency area (IF). Furthermore, the aimed radio
frequency signal is narrowband and due to the fact, that
superheterodyne receivers implemented for application also
978-1-5386-5577-1/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE
Emilian Ceuca
Department of Electronics
Faculty of Exact Sciences and Engineering
“1 Decembrie 1918” University of Alba Iulia
Alba Iulia, Romania
have intermediate frequencies narrowband, it is necessary to use
BPF filters in modern RF communication systems [3]. The BPFs
can be both external and on-chip. In literature [4][8], the most
adopted filters are the on-chip filters because of their advantage
of higher stability, very good capability, low power consumption
and noise coupling diminution.
The research work is focused on designing a 6th order BPF
using two basic methods in building a high-order circuit. The
first one is performed by cascading Tow-Thomas biquads
sections, which has the advantage that it can lead to any
arbitrary transmission zeros but cause an unwanted high
sensitivity to element parameter variation. The second method
used passive LC ladder filter, which has on one hand low
sensitivity to variation of element parameter, but on the other
hand only on the imaginary axis can achieve transmission zeros.
Also, the performances of the circuit are demonstrated by
evaluating the Butterworth type band-pass filter with 10MHz
center frequency and 4MHz bandwidth.
II. GM-C FILTER STRUCTURES
Most of the continuous-time and discrete - time filters have
as main building block the integrator. A Gm-C integrator, as a
result of open – loop operation, has robust stability. In high-
speed applications, this type of circuit has small load capacitors
and a high transconductance value of transistors.
Real transconductor circuit have parasitic input and output
capacitances. For low-frequency applications, the values of
parasitic capacitances must be used in calculus of the real
capacitor used in the filters. But for high – frequency
applications, several MHz, in order to have the high values of
poles frequency, the value of the real capacitors must be
smaller. Thus, knowing that the poles are expressed as Gm/C,
the pole frequency can be increased by decreasing the
capacitances. Summarizing, real integrators have parasitic
poles, usually a low -frequency pole that introduces a lead
phase, and a high - frequency pole that introduces an excess
phase. Thus, parasitic capacitance can considerably influence
the overall capacity of the circuit. As a consequence of this, the
time constant of the integrator is sensitive to process and
temperature variations [6][8].
201 25-28 Oct 2018, Iași, Romania
 2018 IEEE 24th International Symposium for Design and Technology in Electronic Packaging (SIITME)
The Gm-C integrator is characterized by three main The transfer function of the second order TT biquad with
structures: an input stage, which defines its transconductance, complex poles and zeros is frequently expressed in the
an output stage, which provides a high output impedance, called following form:
the folded cascode (FC) and at the output, a feedback circuit, as Gm 2 Gm1 ω
it can be shown in figure 1. s s 0 H0
VoutBP C1 Gm 2 Q (1)
H
= (s) = =
Vin G G G ω
s 2 + s m 2 + m 3 m 4 s 2 + s 0 + ω02
C1 C1C2 Q
Common In equation (1) ω0 is the frequency at which the gain of the
vin
Gm Folded Mode
vout filter peaks, H0 is the filter gain and Q is the quality factor. At
Core Cascode Voltage the center frequency, can be defined: the angular frequency,
Control 𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐
𝜔𝜔𝑐𝑐 = 2𝜋𝜋𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐 and the quality factor 𝑄𝑄𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 = 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 .
Fig. 1. The integrator circuit.
In order to implement the proposed 6 order BPF, three
th

The input stage or the transconductor element is a fully biquad sections are described.
differential, linear voltage to current converter, implemented The calculation of parameters starts from normalized LP
with resistive degeneration [5]. Resistive degeneration poles: two complex-conjugated poles -a1n+-jb1n=-0.5+-j0.866
technology using MOS resistors is chosen to build up high and one real pole -a3n=-1. A pair of low-pass (LP) normed poles
linear transconductors cells [4][8]. will implement two band-pass (BP) biquads, having: ω0, q and
The second stage, called the folded cascode stage increases �𝐻𝐻0 characteristics.
the output resistance of the circuit, minimizing the phase errors The parameters of the first and second biquads are
at the unity gain frequency [5]. expressed in equations (2) to (4), and for the third section in
Asymmetrical or fully balanced transconductance equation (5).
amplifiers, in their output stages, are commonly exposed to
biasing problems, because they need an additional circuit to  
) ( a12n + b12n )
2
control the DC voltage level at high impedance node. =q1
1
8a2
(
 a2 + b2 + 4Q2 +
 1n 1n

BP
+ 8Q2 (b2 − a 2 ) + 16 Q4 
BP 1n 1n BP 

(2)
For that reason, but also to provide suitable polarization of 1n
the transistors at the output stage, it is necessary to use CMFB q12
circuit. In this way, this circuit sets and maintains the DC H 01
= (a2
1n + b12n ) (3)
component of the single ended output voltages, ensuring the QBP
2

correct biasing of the transistors in the output stage [5]. ωC  2a1n q1 a12n + b12n 1  ωC2
ω01 =  + − 2 ω02 = (4)
III. FILTER DESIGN 2  QBP QBP2
q1  ω01
Using the previously designed and simulated integrator, a QBP
Tow-Thomas biquad based Gm-C 6th order band-pass filter, ω0real = ωC qreal = . (5)
with 10MHz center frequency (fc) and 4MHz bandwidth (BW) a3 n
is implemented. During the design process two synthesis
methods are developed and analyzed. After denormalization in frequency and impedance, the
The first is based on cascading Tow-Thomas biquads parameters that describe the proposed filter are: ω01 =74.7MHz,
sections and the second one is using LC ladder passive ω02 =52.8MHz, q1 =5.075, H01= 2.03, ω0real =62.8MHz and
prototype filter [8]. qreal =4.66.
In order to design a filter of any order it is necessary only In time of the design process, the value of Gm is chosen at
to duplicate the first order or second order sections by 74µS. Knowing the expression of ω0 and Q, according to the
cascading. To implement the transfer function, the Tow- equations below, the values of the C1, C2 and Gm1 which
Thomas (TT) filter designed with gm cells (figure 2) was used describe each biquad section are obtained.
due to its advantages, simplicity and efficiency. Thus, for biquad 1, parameter values are given by the
voutBP equations (6), for biquad 2 of equations (7) and for biquad 3 of
equations (8).
Gm4
vin
Gm q1 G
C1 = C2 = m Gm1 = Gm H 01 (6)
Gm1 ω01 ω01q1
Gm2 Gm q1 G
C1 Gm3 voutLP C1 = C2 = m Gm1 = Gm H 01 (7)
ω02 ω02 q1
C2
Gm qreal Gm
C1 = C = G = Gm (8)
Fig. 2. TT Second order section.
ω0 real 2 ω0 real qreal m1

978-1-5386-5577-1/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 202 25-28 Oct 2018, Iași, Romania

 2018 IEEE 24th International Symposium for Design and Technology in Electronic Packaging (SIITME)
As a consequence, the longitudinal impedance Z2n (formed
To summarize, all the results obtained can be seen in table 1. by the capacitor C2n in series with the inductor L2n) and the
transverse Z2n-1 (capacitor C2n-1 in parallel with the inductor L2n-
TABLE I. TT SECOND ORDER SECTION PARAMETERS 1) can be implemented as in figure 5.
C1 C2 Gm1
Biquad 1 5.03pF 0.195pF 150µS Gm Gm
Biquad 2 7.11pF 0.267pF 150µS
Biquad 3 2.9pF 0.471pF 74µS

Another way to extract a transfer function of a filter of any Gm C2n Gm CL2n-1

order is achieved by using the LC ladder passive prototype CL2n C2n-1
filter. Generalized LC ladder topology can be shown in figure
3, where its element values for realizing the normalized 6th Fig. 5. a) Active impedance section, Z2n
order BP filter function are: R=1Ω, C1=1F, L2=2H, C3=1F. b) Active impedance section, Z2n-1

The performances of the filter are influenced by the non-

C2n L2n
L2n-1 C2n-1
Fig. 3. Generalized LC passive filter
The ladder simulation technique has on one hand low
sensitivity to variation of element parameter, but on the other
hand only on the imaginary axis can achieve transmission zeros.
It can be implemented either with stare variable or by replacing
the passive elements (inductors and resistors) with similar
structures made up with active elements [5][8].
The main step in designing a biquad is to replace the LC
reactive components with active circuits.
One of the most common technique used in literature
[5][7][8], regarding the replacement of passive circuit elements
with structures built up with active elements is represented by
the gyrator circuit (figure 4). Another important idea behind this
paper is that the gyrators are used to implement transverse and
longitudinal impedances in the 6th order BPF in order to replace
inductors that would occupy large space on the chip.
V Vout
I Gm
CL
idealities of the transconductor, and the parasitic capacitances
produce a frequency deviation. After the design stage, in the
next point, the inductances are replaced with Gm-C active
structures, equivalent in function, which have the parasitic
capacitances CL1=0.47pF, CL2=5.9pF, CL3=0.47pF.
Knowing the value of the parasitic capacities, the value of
the real capacities in the circuit are obtained by subtracting from
the ideal value, the parasitic capacitance value. Thus, the results
are: C1=2.94pF, C2=0.235pF, C3=2.94pF.
At this point, two synthesis methods for a 6th order BPF,
widely used in the literature, were analyzed, not taking into
account the approximation type of the filter.
Using gyrator circuits, the structure of a biquad can be
observed in figure 6.
CL1 CL3
Gm Gm Gm Gm
C1 C3
Vin
Gm Gm

Gm
Fig. 4. The gyrator circuit
Gm Gm
Based on the circuitry that simulates the inductor behavior
using a capacitor as a reactive element, the circuit can transform
the capacitive character of impedance into inductive [7]. The
capacitor can be calculated according to the expression: CL2
V sC
Z in = = 2 = sLech ⇒ C = Lech Gm2 (9)
I Gm
The value of the transconductance Gm is chosen at 74µS. Gm Gm
After the denormalization in frequency and impedance, as with
the other synthesis method, the filter function parameters are C2
obtained as follows: L1=86uH, C1=2.94pF, L2=1.07mH, Fig. 6. Filter topology – active implementation.
C2=0.235pF, L3=86uH, C3=2.94pF.

978-1-5386-5577-1/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 203 25-28 Oct 2018, Iași, Romania

 2018 IEEE 24th International Symposium for Design and Technology in Electronic Packaging (SIITME)
IV. SIMULATIONS AND COMPARISON RESULTS
The techniques discussed and analyzed above have been
used for design and implementation of a sixth order band-pass
filer, considering the Butterworth approximation with10MHz
center frequency and 4MHz bandwidth.
Regarding the biquads cascade synthesis method, the BPF
is implementing by cascading three second order TT sections
(fig. 2). Using the same value for transconductance of all
sections, Gm=74µS, the cutoff frequency of each structure is
established by determining the proper capacitor value. Always,
in this method, the output of the Laplace filter is compared with
the output of the filter implemented with Gm-C cells.
As it can be observed in figure 7, the simulation result shows
a slightly frequency shifting of the output signal.
40dB
20dB
0dB
V(out)
-20dB
-40dB
-60dB V(laplace)
-80dB
Therefore, the change of the synthesis method brings a
major advantage in the correct operation of the filter, because
the error that influences the optimal functionality of the circuit
in the case of the biquads cascade method is considerably
reduced.
V. CONCLUSIONS
In conclusion, the purpose of this paper in terms of
implementation, analyze and demonstration of the functionality
of a 6th order band-pass filter has been achieved. All design
requirements, 10 MHz center frequency, 4MHz bandwidth and
transconductance value at 74µS for the 6th order Butterworth
band-pass integrated filter using a biquad Gm-C structure have
been respected.
90°
The performance of the proposed filter was demonstrated by
studying two synthesis methods. The simulation results show
0°
that the error occurring at the output of the implemented filter
-90° with biquads cascade synthesis method is considerably reduced
by applying the state variables method.
-180°
Thus, because it ensures effective filtering features and it
-270° has low power consumption, the band-pass filters (BPF) can be
-360°
used to achieve the channel selection and to filter in the radio
frequency (RF) and intermediate frequency area (IF).
-450°

-100dB -540°
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was partially supported by a grant of the Romanian
-120dB -630°
National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation,
-140dB -720° CNCS/CCCDI–UEFISCDI, project number PN-III-P2-2.1-
PED-2016-1608, 222PED/2017, within PNCDI III.
-160dB -810°
1MHz 10MHz 100MHz 1GHz
Frequency [Hz]
Fig. 7. Implementation using TT biquads sections.
REFERENCES

Changing the synthesis method, as expected, the results are [1] R. Arya, G. Souliotis, S. Vlassis, C. Psychalinos, “A 0.5V 3rd- order
greatly improved. In this case, to the state variable based Tunable gm-C Filter”, Radioengineering ,vol. 22, no. 1, april 2013.
method, the output of the LC scale compared to the one of the [2] S. Mondal, K.V. Srivastava, A. Biswas, “ A 600MHz, 6th Order, Highly
Linear Gm-C Bandpass Filter Design”, IEEE Asia Pacific Conference on
implemented circuit with active structures is almost identical. Circuits and Systems, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 6-9 Dec, 2010.
[3] F.Kacar, Arsen A.M.Shakie, Y. Özcelep, “A 4th Order Differential Gm-C
0dB 180°
Band-Pass Filter Using Improved Floating Current Source”, Journal of
-10dB 90° Microelectronics, Electronic Components and Materials, 2014, Vol.44,
-20dB 0° No.2 , 137-141
V(out)
-30dB -90° [4] C.Duan, W.Li, “A 46MHz Biquad Gm-C High Q Bandpass Filter Design
-40dB -180° for Wireless Application”, Ninth IEEE International Conference on
-50dB -270° Dependable, Autonomic and Secure Computing, 2011
-60dB
V(passive)
-360° [5] S.Hintea et.al, „Reconfigurable Analog Circuits for Mobile
-70dB -450° Communicaions. Variable topology filters and design automation”, Cluj-
-80dB -540° Napoca, 2011
-90dB -630° [6] J.E. Kardontchik, „Introduction to The Design of Transconductor-
-100dB -720° Capacitor Filters”, Kluwer Academic Publishers,
-110dB -810° Boston/Dordrecht/London, 1992.
-120dB -900° [7] T.Bakken, J.Choma, Gyrator-Based Synthesis of Active On-Chip
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181, 2003
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1MHz 10MHz 100MHz 1GHz Cartii de stiinta, Cluj-Napoca, 2007
Frequency [Hz]

Fig. 8. Implementation using state variable synthesis method.

978-1-5386-5577-1/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE 204 25-28 Oct 2018, Iași, Romania