Low-Noise Operational Amplifier Design for Biomedical Instrumentation

Abstract

The design of low-noise operational amplifiers (op-amps) is critical for biomedical instrumentation, where signals of extremely low amplitudes, such as electrocardiograms (ECG) and electroencephalograms (EEG), must be accurately amplified without degradation. This paper presents a comprehensive study on the design, simulation, and optimization of a low-noise op-amp suitable for biomedical applications. Key noise sources are identified and minimized through design choices such as transistor sizing, biasing strategies, and topology selection. The proposed design, developed in a 180nm CMOS process, achieves a low input-referred noise of 10 nV/?Hz and operates at low power, ensuring suitability for portable medical devices. The work is validated through simulation using Cadence Virtuoso, and performance metrics are benchmarked against recent designs.

Introduction

I. Introduction

Operational amplifiers (op-amps) are vital in biomedical analog front-ends, used to amplify weak physiological signals like ECG, EEG, and EMG. These signals lie in the microvolt to millivolt range, making low-noise and high-fidelity amplification essential.

Key design goals:

• Low input-referred noise to preserve signal quality.

• Low power consumption for wearable and portable medical devices.

II. Background and Challenges

• Biomedical Signals Characteristics:

  • ECG: 0.05–150 Hz, 0.5–5 mV

  • EEG: 0.5–100 Hz, 10–100 µV

  • EMG: 20–2000 Hz, 50 µV–5 mV
    These low-frequency signals are highly susceptible to thermal, flicker (1/f), and environmental noise.

• Noise Sources in CMOS Op-Amps:

  • Thermal Noise: From carrier motion; white noise.

  • Flicker Noise (1/f): Dominant at low frequencies; caused by charge trapping in MOSFETs.

  • Shot Noise: Minor in CMOS designs.

• Noise Reduction Techniques:

  • Chopper Stabilization and Auto-Zeroing reduce noise but add complexity.

  • Design-level optimizations like using PMOS inputs, increasing W/L ratios, and careful biasing help reduce noise cost-effectively.

III. Proposed Design Approach

• Design Goals:

  Parameter	Target	Purpose
  Input-Referred Noise	≤ 15 nV/√Hz	Preserve signal integrity
  Gain	≥ 60 dB	Sufficient amplification
  Bandwidth	≥ 10 kHz	Covers ECG/EEG frequencies
  Power Consumption	≤ 100 µW	Battery-friendly
  Phase Margin	≥ 60°	Ensure stability

   

• Circuit Topology:

  • Two-stage CMOS amplifier: High gain and flexibility.

  • PMOS differential pair for lower 1/f noise.

  • Class-A output stage and Miller compensation for stability.

• Transistor Design Highlights:

  • Long-channel PMOS with W = 50 µm, L = 1.5 µm.

  • Low bias current (~10 µA) for power efficiency.

  • Cascode biasing to enhance gain and reduce noise.

• Layout Considerations (for future):

  • Common-centroid, guard rings, and symmetric routing to minimize layout-induced mismatches and noise.

IV. Noise Analysis and Optimization

• Noise Contributions:

  • Thermal Noise: ~8.6 nV/√Hz

  • Flicker Noise: ~4 nV/√Hz at 1 kHz

  • Total Noise: ~9.5–10 nV/√Hz at 1 kHz

• Optimization Techniques Applied:

  Technique	Effect
  PMOS Input Pair	Reduces 1/f noise
  Large W/L Ratio	Lowers flicker noise PSD
  Optimized Biasing	Increases transconductance (g?)
  Cascode Mirrors	Reduces noise from current sources
  Symmetric Layout (planned)	Minimizes mismatch

   

• Noise Spectrum:

  • 1/f noise dominates below 300 Hz (critical for EEG/ECG).

  • Thermal noise dominates above 300 Hz (flat noise floor).

V. Simulation and Results

• Tech Specs:

  • Technology: 180nm CMOS

  • Supply Voltage: 1.8 V

  • Simulation Tool: Cadence Virtuoso + Spectre

  • Ambient Temp: 27°C, Load: 5 pF

• Performance Outcomes:

  • Input-referred noise: ~9.5 nV/√Hz @ 1 kHz

  • Gain: >60 dB

  • Bandwidth: >10 kHz

  • Power: <100 µW

Conclusion

This paper presents the design and simulation of a low-noise, low-power CMOS operational amplifier specifically tailored for biomedical instrumentation applications such as ECG and EEG signal acquisition. The amplifier achieves an input-referred noise of approximately 9.5 nV/?Hz at 1 kHz, an open-loop gain of 84 dB, a gain-bandwidth product of 1.2 MHz, and consumes only 87 µW of power from a 1.8 V supply. These characteristics make it highly suitable for use in energy-efficient, high-fidelity analog front-end (AFE) circuits for biomedical sensors. The key contribution of this work lies in achieving excellent noise performance without relying on complex techniques like chopper stabilization or auto-zeroing. Instead, the design focuses on transistor-level optimization, proper biasing, and topology selection to minimize both thermal and flicker noise. This results in a simple yet effective amplifier design that is easy to integrate into low-cost, portable medical devices. Future work will focus on the following aspects: 1) Layout Implementation and Post-Layout Simulation: To verify the practical viability of the design, layout will be carried out using standard analog layout practices. Post-layout simulations will help account for parasitic capacitances, mismatch, and real-world process variations. 2) Fabrication and Testing: The amplifier will be fabricated and tested on silicon to validate its performance in a physical environment. Testing will also evaluate its resilience to power supply variations and common-mode interference. 3) Integration with Biomedical Front-End Systems: The op-amp will be integrated into a complete analog front-end (AFE) for biomedical signal acquisition. Additional features like programmable gain control, multiplexed inputs, and on-chip filters can be incorporated. 4) Noise Efficiency Factor (NEF) Optimization: Future designs may include a comparative analysis of the amplifier’s NEF to benchmark against state-of-the-art designs in terms of power and noise trade-offs. 5) Technology Scaling: The impact of using more advanced CMOS nodes (e.g., 130nm, 65nm) on noise, power, and area will be explored for high-density and ultra-low-power applications. In conclusion, the proposed low-noise operational amplifier addresses the critical challenges in biomedical analog signal processing by providing an optimal balance of noise performance, power efficiency, and simplicity. It lays a solid foundation for future developments in energy-efficient biomedical electronics and wearable health monitoring systems.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Er. Prashant Pathak, Er. Dileep Kumar Yadav, Er. Dinesh Kumar, Dr Santosh Pandey, Er. Mani Prakash. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.