MOS-only complex filter design for dual-band GNSS receivers

In this paper, the use of MOS-only active filters in the implementation of area-effective low-IF image reject filters is discussed. For this purpose, complex filter design procedure is considered regarding MOS-only filter realization techniques and a new second-order filter topology which favors filter's area-effective implementation is proposed. Owing to the presented approach, a new complex image-reject filter with reduced chip area, which can be used in dual-band GNSS receivers, is obtained. Issues related to IQ imbalance are briefly discussed and a calibration imbalance circuit is proposed. By virtue of the current-mode design technique, the IQ imbalance circuit is embedded with the complex filter, simplifying the system topology. In order to illustrate the feasibility of the filter, post-layout simulation results of a fourth-order Butterworth-type image reject filter designed for dual-band GNSS receivers are provided using SPECTRE simulation tool in CADENCE design environment.