Linear Current Division Principles

Abstract—this paper presents the study of a well established linear current division circuit, which has been referenced many times in published works as a basic building block in variety applications up to date. Understanding the advantages and, even more important, the limitations of this technique would benefit the further exploiting of potential applications. Analytic study with close form expressions shows highly agreements with the original statement that this structure is inherently linear and the linearity is independent of the electrical variables and only relies on the transistors geometrical match performance. However, the more accurate study with simulation results suggests that there are limitations for using this technique in terms of high linearity in the most popular semiconductor processes. Thereby more general circuit principles behind reported high linearity is of particular interested. I