A low-power wide-range I-v converter for amperometric sensing applications

Area of Science:

• Electronics
• Sensor Technology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Amperometric sensing requires precise current measurement.
• Existing sensors often face limitations in power consumption, hindering miniaturization for wearable or implantable applications.
• Low-power electronics are crucial for the development of next-generation biomedical devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the first experimental results of a novel current-to-voltage converter.
• To demonstrate its suitability for amperometric sensing across a wide current range (1 pA to 1 µA).
• To achieve ultra-low power consumption for integration into wearable or implantable sensors.

Main Methods:

• The circuit combines transistors operating in weak inversion with floating-gate metal-oxide semiconductor (FG-MOS) devices.
• Three distinct gain settings were implemented to optimize performance.
• The design strategy focused on minimizing power consumption.

Main Results:

• Experimental validation of the current-to-voltage converter was achieved.
• The converter successfully measured currents in the range of 1 pA to 1 µA.
• The circuit demonstrated ultra-low power consumption, measuring 9.82 µW under normal operation.

Conclusions:

• The developed current-to-voltage converter is a significant advancement for low-power amperometric sensing.
• Its design facilitates integration into power-constrained wearable and implantable sensor systems.
• This technology paves the way for more sophisticated and accessible biomedical monitoring devices.