• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 1998

Multi-channel sensors can be used to increase the reliability and remove the random iloise in ion-sensitive field effect transistors(ISFETs). Multi-channel sensors is also an essential step toward potential fabrication of sensors for several ionic species in one device. However, when the multi-channel sensors are separately biased, the biasing problems become difficult, that is to say, the bias circuit is needed as many sensors. In this work, a circuit for biasing the four pH-ISFETs in null-balance method, where bias voltages are switched, was proposed. The proposed concept is need only one bias circuit for the four sensors. Therefore it has advantages of smaller size and lower power consumption than the case that all sensors are separately biased at a time. The proposed circuit was tested with discrete devices and its performance was investigated. In the recent trend, sensor systems are implemented as portable systems. So the verified measurement circuit was integrated by using the CMOS circuit. Fortunately, ISFET fabrication process can be compatible with CMOS process. Full circuit has a mask area of $660{\mu}m{\times}500{\mu}m$. In the future, this step will be used for developing the smart sensor system with ISFET.