Memristors, as the fourth fundamental circuit element, have attracted significant interest for their potential in analog signal processing, computing, and memory storage technologies. However, physical memristor implementations still face challenges in reproducibility, scalability, and integration with standard CMOS processes. Memristor emulator circuits, implemented using analog, digital, and mixed components, have emerged as practical alternatives, offering tunability, cost effectiveness, and compatibility with existing fabrication technologies for research and prototyping. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in memristor emulator design methodologies, including active and passive analog circuits, digital implementations, and hybrid approaches. A critical evaluation of these emulation techniques is conducted based on several performance metrics, including maximum operational frequency range, power consumption, and circuit topology. Additional parameters are also taken into account to ensure a comprehensive assessment. Furthermore, the paper examines promising healthcare applications of memristor and memristor emulators, focusing on their integration into biomedical systems. Finally, key challenges and promising directions for future research in memristor emulator development are outlined. Overall, the research presented highlights the promising future of memristor emulator technology in bridging the gap between theoretical memristor models and practical circuit implementations.

This paper presents a novel passive floating memristor emulator that operates without an external DC bias, leveraging the DTMOS technique. The design comprises only four MOSFETs and eliminates the need for external capacitors. The emulator achieves a high operating frequency of around 250 MHz and consumes zero static power. A comprehensive analysis and simulation, conducted using 180 nm CMOS technology, validates the circuit’s performance. The versatility and effectiveness of the proposed emulator are demonstrated through its application in various circuits, including logic gates, a ring oscillator, and analog filters, highlighting its potential for diverse low-power, high-frequency applications. The proposed emulator provides a compact, efficient, and integrable solution for nanoelectronic circuit designs.

This study presents transistor-level simulation results for a novel memristor emulator circuit. The design incorporates an inverter and a current-mode-controlled operational transconductance amplifier to stabilize the output voltage. Transient performance is evaluated across a 20 MHz to 100 MHz frequency range. Simulations using 0.18 μm TSMC technology confirm the circuit’s functionality, demonstrating a power consumption of 0.1 mW at a 1.2 V supply. The memristor model’s reliability is verified through corner simulations, along with Monte Carlo and temperature variation tests. Furthermore, the emulator is applied in a Memristive Integrate-and-Fire neuron circuit, a CMOS-based system that replicates biological neuron behavior for spike generation, enabling ultra-low-power computing and advanced processing in retinal prosthesis applications.

This paper presents a novel reconfigurable memristive Pulse Generator (PG) designed for Ultra-Wideband (UWB) applications, leveraging the advanced pulse shaping techniques. The proposed design aims to improve the efficiency and flexibility of UWB communication systems, thereby contributing to the achievement of the "Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure" by promoting technological advances in the field of communications. The design utilizes the CMOS 0.18 µm technology operating at 1.8 V to achieve high performance and low power consumption. By employing constant resistance and dynamic resistance modulation, the proposed PG supports various modulation schemes, including Frequency-Shift Keying (FSK) and On-Off Keying (OOK), enhancing its adaptability and efficiency. The transmitter demonstrates significant energy efficiency with a low-duty cycle impulse approach, operating within the lower UWB band (3-5 GHz) to minimize interference. The simulation results indicate that the UWB generator achieves high data rates and improved spectral efficiency while maintaining compliance with the FCC regulations. This makes it ideal for integration into IoT devices, wearable technology, and other battery-powered applications. Therefore, the proposed design has the potential to enhance connectivity and data transmission capabilities, ultimately supporting the development of more efficient and reliable communication networks worldwide.