A general translinear principle for subthreshold MOS transistors

Abstract

This paper revises the conditions under which the translinear principle can be fully exploited for MOS transistors operating in subthreshold. Due to the exponential nature of subthreshold MOS transistors, the translinear principle applies immediately as long as the source-to-bulk voltages are made equal to zero (or constant). This paper addresses the conditions under which subthreshold MOS transistors still satisfy a translinear principle, but without imposing this constraint on all V/sub BS/ voltages. It is found that the translinear principle results in a more general formulation than the originally found for BJT's since now multiple translinear loops can be involved. The constraint of an even number of transistors is no longer necessary. Some corollaries are stated as well and, finally, it is shown how to use the theorem for subthreshold MOS transistors operated in the ohmic regime.