Columbia Technology Ventures

Low voltage operational transconductance amplifier circuits

For the past few decades, circuits have become smaller and faster, placing more computing power in a tinier package. Consequently, supply voltages have decreased, in order to maintain reliability, reduce circuit power consumption, and prevent electronics from overheating. Simultaneously, transistors have gotten smaller - however, their threshold voltages have not decreased as quickly as have supply voltages. As supply voltages drop below transistor threshold voltages, transistors have become the limiting factor in analog circuit performance. This technology is a set of amplifier circuits that can operate at or near the transistor threshold voltages.

Low voltage amplifier circuits reduce power consumption and increase reliability in electronics

Low voltage amplifier circuits that operate at or near transistor threshold voltages minimize the power consumption of the products that use them. Lower power consumption improves the battery lifetime, thermal performance, and weight of consumer electronics such as mobile phones, laptops, and wearable electronics; there is thus an increasing market for the low voltage circuits as personal electronics get smaller. This technology has been demonstrated in the Kinget laboratory at Columbia University.

Lead Inventor:

Peter Kinget, Ph.D.

Applications:

  • Low power consumer electronics and telecommunications equipment, including mobile hardware
  • Ultra-low voltage operational circuits in personal electronics and wearables

Advantages:

  • Longer battery life for personal electronics
  • Does not require internal voltage boosting
  • Compatible with CMOS technologies

Patent information:

US Patent (US 7,847,633)

Tech Ventures Reference: IR M06-016

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