Interactive symbolic distortion analysis of analogue integrated circuits

Abstract

A program is presented that generates symbolic expressions for the harmonic distortion, caused by weak nonlinearities in continuous-time analogue integrated circuits. The program relies upon the theory of Volterra series. An approximation algorithm with a user-definable error enhances the interpretability of the expressions. The results are in good agreement with results from a numerical simulator. The program can be used to analyse complex circuits such as operational amplifiers and to develop guidelines for low-distortion circuit design.<>