This study proposes a multiple-output differential-input operational transconductance amplifier-C (MODI OTA-C) filter with an impedance scaler to detect cardiac activity. A ladder-type fifth-orderButterworth low-pass filter with a large time constant and low noise is implemented to reduce coefficient sensitivity and address signal distortion. Moreover, linearized MODI OTA structures with reduced transconductance and impedance scaler circuits for noise reduction are used to achieve a wide dynamic range (DR). The OTA-based circuit is operated in the subthreshold region at a supply voltage of 1 V to reduce the power consumption of the wearable device in long-term use. Experimental results of the filter with a bandwidth of 250 Hz reveal that DR is 57.6 dB, and the harmonic distortion components are below -59 dB. The power consumption of the filter, which is fabricated through a TSMC 0.18 µm CMOS process, is lower than 390 nW, and the active area is 0.135 mm2.

This paper presents the realization of the radio frequency (RF) power and data transmission for implantable microstimulators. This implantable device composes an internal RF front-end circuit, a control circuit, and a microstimulator. A 2 MHz AM-modulated signal including the power and data necessary for the implantable device is received, and a stable dc voltage and digital data will be extracted to further stimulate neuromuscular stimulation. In this implantable stimulator, the digital part is implemented by field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the analog part is implemented in a standard single-poly fifth-metal 0.25 µm CMOS process. The latter occupies a silicon area smaller than 0.00638 mm2 and produces an output current with 5-bit resolution for stimulations. The measuring stimulating current is 2.77 mA while the stimulation frequency is from 20 Hz to 2 kHz and the pulse width of stimulation current is from 100 µs to 450 µs. In addition, the simulation results of the RF front-end circuit and the verification of the control logic circuit are also presented in this paper.