The zero-pole transformation noise reduction technique for ultra low-noise charge amplifiers

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Abstract/Contents

Abstract
This research focuses on the design of ultra low-noise charge amplifiers for use in sensor and photo-detector systems. Charge amplifiers are used in the front-end design of systems that have an input signal in the form of charge or a current pulse. A charge amplifier is used to convert the incoming charge or current to a voltage for further processing. The noise level of a charge amplifier determines the minimum signal that can be measured by the system, as well as its resolution. The objective of this research is to define the optimal flow for the design of a low-noise charge amplifier. The work introduces a zero-pole transformation technique that lowers the noise level of charge amplifiers without introducing much complexity or requiring substantial extra area. A zero-pole transformation charge amplifier has been designed in 0.18 [mu]m CMOS technology and fabricated by National Semiconductor. The theory of the zero-pole transformation technique is validated by the experimental design, the measured results agreeing well with the expected noise reduction based on the theories developed for the proposed method. The experimental zero-pole transformation charge amplifier shows a reduction in 40% in its input-referred noise compared to a basic charge amplifier. The minimum input-referred noise level achieved in the proposed charge amplifier is 102ENC (equivalent noise charge).

Description

Type of resource text
Form electronic; electronic resource; remote
Extent 1 online resource.
Publication date 2011
Issuance monographic
Language English

Creators/Contributors

Associated with Jaffari, Nasrin
Associated with Stanford University, Department of Electrical Engineering
Primary advisor Murmann, Boris
Primary advisor Wooley, Bruce A, 1943-
Thesis advisor Murmann, Boris
Thesis advisor Wooley, Bruce A, 1943-
Thesis advisor Vleugels, Katelijn
Advisor Vleugels, Katelijn

Subjects

Genre Theses

Bibliographic information

Statement of responsibility Nasrin Jaffari.
Note Submitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering.
Thesis Ph. D. Stanford University 2011
Location electronic resource

Access conditions

Copyright
© 2011 by Nasrin Jaffari

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