Ultra-low-power differential ISFET/REFET readout circuit

Abstract

A novel ultra-low-power readout circuit for a pH-sensitive ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) is proposed. It uses an ISFET/reference FET (REFET) differential pair operating in weak-inversion and a simple current-mode metal-oxide semiconductor FET (MOSFET) translinear circuit. Simulation results verify that the circuit operates with excellent common-mode rejection ability and good linearity for a single pH range from 4 to 10, while only 4 nA is drawn from a single 1 V supply voltage. © 2009 ETRI.