A High Dynamic Range CMOS Peak Detector Circuit for Feedforward Automatic Gain Control Systems

This paper presents a novel design for peak detector circuits in feedforward automatic gain control (AGC) systems. The proposed design achieves a substantial dynamic range, which is crucial for effective feedforward AGC systems. By utilizing current-mode feedback, the peak detector topology maintains low input impedance at high frequencies, thereby preventing loss of the input current. The circuit is implemented using a commercial 65 nm CMOS process, and its post-layout simulations indicate remarkable performance, characterized by a wide dynamic range (more than 60 dB), fast attack and release times (both around 50 ns), low input impedance, and robust operation across various process-voltage-temperature (PVT) corners. The circuit operates with a static power consumption of 540 μW under a 1.8 V supply and occupies a chip area of 150 μ m× 90μ m, including the on-chip capacitors.