Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be understood in more detail from the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout this application.
Referring to
The input circuit 10 is coupled between a power supply voltage VDD and a ground voltage VSS. The input circuit 10 may convert a voltage difference between a first input signal Vinp and a second input signal Vinn into a current.
The first current adder circuit 20 is coupled to the power supply voltage VDD, the floating current source 40, and the control circuit 50. The first current adder circuit 20 may receive a first current In1 and a second current In2 and add the first current In1 and the second current In2. The first current adder circuit 20 may be biased by a first bias voltage VB1 that is externally provided.
The second current adder circuit 30 is coupled among the floating current source 40, the control circuit 50, and a ground voltage VSS. The second current adder circuit 40 may receive a third current Ip1 and a fourth current Ip2, and add the third current Ip1 and the fourth current Ip2. The second current adder circuit 40 may be biased by a second bias voltage VB2 that is externally provided.
The floating current source 40 is coupled between the first current adder circuit 20 and the second current adder circuit 30. The floating current source 40 may control a bias current for the first and second current adder circuits 20 and 30.
The control circuit 50 is coupled between the first current adder circuit 20 and the second current adder circuit 30. The control circuit 50 may control voltage levels of the first and second current adder circuits 20 and 30.
The output circuit 60 is coupled between the power supply voltage VDD and the ground voltage VSS. The output circuit 60 may be coupled to output stages of the first current adder circuit 20 and the second current adder circuit 30 and may be controlled by the control circuit 50.
Referring to
The input circuit 10 may include a first current source I1, a first differential amplifier circuit 12, a second differential amplifier 14, and a second current source I2.
The first differential amplifier circuit 12 may include a first input NMOS transistor MN1 and a second input NMOS transistor MN2. The second differential amplifier 14 may include a first input PMOS transistor MP1 and a second input PMOS transistor MP2. The first and second differential amplifier circuits 12 and 14 may form a rail-to-rail input stage, and may receive a full swing input voltage having a range that is nearly a voltage difference between the ground voltage VSS and the power supply voltage VDD.
The first current source I1 is coupled to the ground voltage VSS and may provide a constant current to the first differential amplifier circuit 12.
The first current source I1 is coupled between the first differential amplifier circuit 12 and the ground voltage VSS. The first differential amplifier circuit 12 converts a voltage difference between the first input signal Vinp and the second input signal Vinn into a current, and outputs the converted current to a first differential output terminal In1 and a second differential output terminal In2.
The second current source I2 is coupled to the power supply voltage VDD, and may provide a constant current to the second differential amplifier circuit 14.
The second current source I2 is coupled between the second differential amplifier circuit 14 and the power supply voltage VDD. The second differential amplifier circuit 14 converts a voltage difference between the first input signal Vinp and the second input signal Vinn into a current, and outputs the converted current to a third differential output terminal Ip1 and a fourth differential output terminal Ip2.
The input circuit 10 enables the operational amplifier to perform a rail-to-rail operation. That is, an input common mode voltage range of the input circuit 10 may be the entire range between a plus power supply voltage rail and a minus power supply voltage rail.
The first current adder circuit 20 may be coupled to the power supply voltage VDD, and the second adder circuit 30 may be coupled to the ground voltage VSS.
The first current adder circuit 20 is coupled to the first output terminal In1 and the second output terminal In2 of the first differential amplifier circuit 12, and the first current adder circuit 20 adds the currents provided from the first differential amplifier 12.
The first current adder circuit 20 may include a first PMOS transistor MP3, a second PMOS transistor MP5, a third PMOS transistor MP7, a first cascode PMOS transistor MP4, a second PMOS transistor MP6, a first boosting amplifier 25, and a third current source I3.
The first PMOS transistor MP3 and the first cascode PMOS transistor MP4 are serially connected between the power supply voltage VDD and a first node N1. A source terminal of the first PMOS transistor MP3 is coupled to the power supply voltage VDD. A gate terminal of the first PMOS transistor MP3 is coupled to the first node N1. A drain terminal of the first PMOS transistor MP3 is coupled to the first differential output terminal In1. A source terminal of the first cascode PMOS transistor MP4 is coupled to the first differential output terminal In1. A gate terminal of the first cascode PMOS transistor MP4 receives a first bias voltage VB1. A drain terminal of the first cascode PMOS transistor MP4 is coupled to the first node N1.
A source terminal of the second PMOS transistor MP5 is coupled to the power supply voltage VDD. A drain terminal of the second PMOS transistor MP5 is coupled to the second differential output terminal In2. A gate terminal of the first PMOS transistor MP3 is coupled to the gate terminal of the first PMOS transistor MP3 and the first node N1.
A source terminal of the second cascode PMOS transistor MP6 is coupled to the second differential output terminal In2. A gate terminal of the second cascode PMOS transistor MP6 is coupled to an output stage of the first boosting amplifier 25. A drain terminal of the second cascode PMOS transistor MP6 is coupled to a third node N3.
The third PMOS transistor MP7 is diode-connected. A source terminal of the third PMOS transistor MP7 is coupled to the source terminal of the second cascode PMOS transistor MP6. A drain terminal of the third PMOS transistor MP7 is coupled to a third current source I3.
A plus input terminal of the first boosting amplifier 25 receives the first bias voltage VB1, and a minus input terminal of the first boosting amplifier 25 is coupled to the gate terminal of the third PMOS transistor MP7.
The third current source I3 is coupled to the ground voltage VSS, and the third current source I3 may provide a constant current to the third PMOS transistor MP7. The third PMOS transistor MP7 and the third current source may form a first level shifter.
The second current adder circuit 30 is coupled to the third output terminal Ip1 and the fourth output terminal Ip2 of the second differential amplifier circuit 14, and the second current adder circuit 30 adds the currents provided from the second differential amplifier 14.
The second current adder circuit 30 may include a first cascode NMOS transistor MN4, a second NMOS transistor MN6, a first NMOS transistor MN3, a second NMOS transistor MN5, a third NMOS transistor MN7, a second boosting amplifier 35, and a fourth current source I4.
The first NMOS transistor MN3 and the first cascode NMOS transistor MN4 are serially connected between the ground voltage VSS and a second node N2. A source terminal of the first NMOS transistor MN3 is coupled to the ground voltage VSS. A gate terminal of the first NMOS transistor MN3 is coupled to the second node N2. A drain terminal of the first NMOS transistor MN3 is coupled to the third differential output terminal Ip1. A source terminal of the first cascode NMOS transistor MN4 is coupled to the third differential output terminal Ip1. A gate terminal of the first cascode NMOS transistor MN4 receives a second bias voltage VB2. A drain terminal of the first cascode NMOS transistor MN4 is coupled to the second node N2.
A source terminal of the second NMOS transistor MN5 is coupled to the ground voltage VSS. A drain terminal of the second NMOS transistor MN5 is coupled to the fourth differential output terminal Ip2. A gate terminal of the first NMOS transistor MN3 is coupled to the gate terminal of the first NMOS transistor MN3 and the second node N2.
A source terminal of the second cascode NMOS transistor MN6 is coupled to the fourth differential output terminal Ip2. A gate terminal of the second cascode NMOS transistor MN6 is coupled to an output stage of the second boosting amplifier 35. A drain terminal of the second cascode NMOS transistor MN6 is coupled to a fourth node N4.
The third NMOS transistor MN7 is diode-connected. A source terminal of the third NMOS transistor MN7 is coupled to the fourth differential output terminal Ip2. A drain terminal of the third NMOS transistor MN7 is coupled to the fourth current source I4.
A plus input terminal of the second boosting amplifier 35 receives the second bias voltage VB2. A minus input terminal of the second boosting amplifier 35 is coupled to the gate of the third NMOS transistor MN7.
The fourth current source I4 is coupled to the power supply voltage VDD, and the fourth current source I4 may provide a constant current to the third NMOS transistor MN7.
A current adder circuit in a conventional rail-to-rail class AB amplifier includes a current mirror comprising four transistors of same size, and adds output currents provided by an input circuit.
In this exemplary embodiment two separate transistors, the second cascode PMOS transistor MPG and the third PMOS transistor MP7, in the first current adder circuit 20 in
Similarly, two separate transistors, the second cascode NMOS transistor MN6 and the third NMOS transistor MN7, implemented in the second current adder circuit 30 in
The floating current source 40 is coupled between the first node N1 and the second node N2. The floating current source 40 may include a floating PMOS transistor MP8 and a floating NMOS transistor MN8.
The control circuit 50 is coupled between the third node N3 and the fourth node N4. The control circuit 50 may include a control PMOS transistor MP9 and a control NMOS transistor MN9.
The output circuit 60 may include a fifth current source I5, a sixth current source I6, a first output transistor MP12, a second output transistor MN12, a fourth NMOS transistor MN10, a fifth NMOS transistor MN11, a fourth PMOS transistor MP10, a fifth PMOS transistor MP11, a first capacitor C1, and a second capacitor C2.
The fifth current source I5 is coupled to the power supply voltage VDD, and provides a current to the fourth NMOS transistor MN10 and fifth NMOS transistor MN11. Each of the fourth NMOS transistor MN10 and fifth NMOS transistor MN11 is diode-connected. The fourth NMOS transistor MN10 and fifth NMOS transistor MN11 are coupled to each other serially between the fifth current source I5 and the ground voltage VSS. A voltage of 2 Vgs is provided to the fifth node N5 by the fourth NMOS transistor MN10 and fifth NMOS transistor MN11. Herein, 2 Vgs indicates a voltage difference between a gate terminal and a source terminal. The voltage of the fifth node N5 corresponding to 2 Vgs is provided to a gate terminal of the floating NMOS transistor MN8 and a gate terminal of the control NMOS transistor MN9.
The sixth current source I6 is coupled to the ground voltage VSS, and provides a current to the fourth PMOS transistor MP10 and fifth PMOS transistor MP11. Each of the fourth PMOS transistor MP10 and fifth PMOS transistor MP11 is diode-connected. The fourth PMOS transistor MP10 and fifth PMOS transistor MP11 are coupled to each other serially between the sixth current source I6 and the power supply voltage VDD. A voltage of VDD-2 Vgs is provided to the sixth node N6 by the fourth PMOS transistor MP10 and fifth PMOS transistor MP11. Herein, VDD-2 Vgs indicates a voltage difference between a gate terminal and a source terminal. The voltage of the sixth node N6 corresponding to VDD-2 Vgs is provided to a gate terminal of the floating PMOS transistor MP8 and a gate terminal of the control PMOS transistor MP9.
The first output transistor MP12 is coupled between the power supply voltage VDD and the output terminal VOUT. A gate terminal of the first output transistor MP12 is coupled to the third node N3.
The second output transistor MN12 is coupled between the output terminal VOUT and the ground voltage VSS. A gate terminal of the second output transistor MN12 is coupled to the fourth node N4.
The first capacitor C1 is coupled between the third node N3 and the output terminal VOUT. The second capacitor C2 is coupled between the fourth node N4 and the output terminal VOUT.
The output circuit 60 amplifies a difference between input signals in response to voltage levels of the third node N3 and the fourth node N4 and outputs the amplified signal. Bias currents are determined by bias voltages provided to gate terminals of the transistors MP12 and MN12, and an operational amplifier formed as in
Referring to
The first current adder circuit 20 may include a first boosting amplifier 25, a third current source I3, a first cascode PMOS transistor MP4, a second PMOS transistor MP6, a first PMOS transistor MP3, a second PMOS transistor MP5, and a third PMOS transistor MP7.
The first boosting amplifier 25 may include a first boosting transistor 251, a second boosting transistor 252, a third boosting transistor 253, a fourth boosting transistor 254, and a fifth boosting transistor 255. The first boosting transistor 251, the second boosting transistor 252, and the third boosting transistor 253 may comprise PMOS transistors. The fourth boosting transistor 254 and the fifth boosting transistor 255 may comprise NMOS transistors.
A source terminal of the first boosting transistor 251 is coupled to a power supply voltage VDD. A gate terminal of the first boosting transistor 251 is coupled to the first node N1 and with gate terminals of the first and the second PMOS transistor MP3, MP5.
A source terminal of the second boosting transistor 252 is coupled to a drain terminal of the first boosting transistor 251. A gate terminal of the second boosting transistor 252 receives a first bias voltage VB1.
A source terminal of the third boosting transistor 253 is coupled to the drain terminal of the first boosting transistor 251. A gate terminal of the third boosting transistor 253 is coupled to a gate terminal of the third PMOS transistor MP7. A drain terminal of the third transistor 253 is coupled to a seventh node N7.
The fourth boosting transistor 254 is diode-connected. A drain terminal of the fourth boosting transistor 254 is coupled to a drain terminal of the second boosting transistor 252. A source terminal of the fourth boosting transistor 254 is coupled to the ground voltage VSS.
A drain terminal of the fifth boosting transistor 255 is coupled to the seventh node N7. A gate terminal of the fifth boosting transistor 255 is coupled to the gate terminal of the fourth boosting transistor 254. A source terminal of the fifth boosting transistor 255 is coupled to the ground voltage VSS.
The gate terminal of the second boosting transistor 252 may correspond to a plus input terminal of the first boosting amplifier 25. The gate terminal of the third boosting transistor 253 may correspond to a minus input terminal of the first boosting amplifier 25. The seventh node N7 may correspond to an output terminal of the first boosting amplifier 25.
The first boosting transistor 251 may provide a tail current of the first boosting amplifier 25, and may operate as a current source. The total gain may be adjustable by controlling a size of the first boosting transistor 251.
An output signal of the first boosting amplifier 25 may be provided to the second cascode PMOS transistor MPG through the seventh node N7 in response to levels of the plus input terminal and the minus input terminal.
The output signal of the first boosting amplifier 25 may increase an output impedance by being connected to the gate terminal of the second cascode PMOS transistor MP6.
The third PMOS transistor MP7 may be diode-connected and may be operated as a level shifter. The third current source I3 adjusts a drain current of the third PMOS transistor MP7 for operating the first boosting amplifier 25.
The second current adder circuit 30 may include a second boosting amplifier 35, a fourth current source I4, a first cascode NMOS transistor MN4, a second NMOS transistor MN6, a first NMOS transistor MN3, a second NMOS transistor MN5, and a third NMOS transistor MN7.
The second current adder circuit 30 may include a second boosting amplifier 35, a fourth current source I4, a first cascode NMOS transistor MN4, a second NMOS transistor MN6, a first NMOS transistor MN3, a second NMOS transistor MN5, and a third NMOS transistor MN7.
The second boosting amplifier 35 may include a sixth boosting transistor 351, a seventh boosting transistor 352, a eighth boosting transistor 353, a ninth boosting transistor 354, and a tenth boosting transistor 355. The sixth boosting transistor 351, the seventh boosting transistor 352, and the eighth boosting transistor 353 may comprise NMOS transistors. The ninth boosting transistor 354 and the tenth boosting transistor 355 may comprise PMOS transistors.
A source terminal of the sixth boosting transistor 351 is coupled to the ground voltage VSS. A gate terminal of the sixth boosting transistor 351 is coupled to the second node N2 with gate terminals of the first and the second NMOS transistor MN3, MN5.
A source terminal of the seventh boosting transistor 352 is coupled to a drain terminal of the sixth boosting transistor 351. A gate terminal of the seventh boosting transistor 352 receives a second bias voltage VB2.
A source terminal of the eighth boosting transistor 353 is coupled to the drain terminal of the sixth boosting transistor 351. A gate terminal of the eighth boosting transistor 353 is coupled to a gate terminal of the third NMOS transistor MN7. A drain terminal of the eighth boosting transistor 353 is coupled to a eighth node N8.
The ninth boosting transistor 354 is diode-connected. A drain terminal of the ninth boosting transistor 354 is coupled to a drain terminal of the seventh boosting transistor 352. A source terminal of the ninth boosting transistor 354 is coupled to the power supply voltage VDD.
A drain terminal of the tenth boosting transistor 355 is coupled to the eighth node N8. A gate terminal of the tenth boosting transistor 355 is coupled to the gate terminal of the ninth boosting transistor 354. A source terminal of the tenth boosting transistor 355 is coupled to the power supply voltage VDD.
The gate terminal of the seventh boosting transistor 352 may correspond to a plus input terminal of the second boosting amplifier 35. The gate terminal of the eighth boosting transistor 353 may correspond to a minus input terminal of the second boosting amplifier 35. The eighth node N8 may correspond to an output terminal of the second boosting amplifier 35.
The sixth boosting transistor 351 may provide a tail current of the second boosting amplifier 35, and may operate as a current source. The total gain may be adjustable by controlling a size of the sixth boosting transistor 351.
An output signal of the second boosting amplifier 35 may be provided to the second cascode NMOS transistor MN6 through the eighth node N8 in response to levels of the plus input terminal and the minus input terminal.
The output signal of the second boosting amplifier 35 may increase the output impedance by being provided to the gate terminal of the second cascode NMOS transistor MN6.
The third NMOS transistor MN7 may be diode-connected and may be operated as a level shifter. The fourth current source I4 adjusts a drain current of the third NMOS transistor MN7 for operating the second boosting amplifier 35.
A floating PMOS transistor MP8 included in the floating current source 40 receives a voltage of the sixth node N6 corresponding to VDD-2 Vgs through a gate terminal and controls a drain current. A floating NMOS transistor MN8 included in the floating current source 40 receives a voltage of the fifth node N5 corresponding to 2 Vgs through a gate terminal and controls a drain current. Thus, a total bias current may be controlled by the floating PMOS transistor MP8 and floating NMOS transistor MN8.
A control PMOS transistor MP9 included in the control circuit 50 receives a voltage of the sixth node N6 corresponding to VDD-2 Vgs through a gate terminal and controls a drain current. A control NMOS transistor MN8 included in the control circuit 50 receives a voltage of the fifth node N5 corresponding to 2 Vgs through a gate terminal and controls a drain current. Thus, the control circuit 50 enables the amplifier to operate as a rail-to-rail class AB amplifier by controlling voltages of the third node N3 and the fourth node N4 coupled to the output circuit 60.
The fourth PMOS transistor MP10, the fifth PMOS transistor MP11 and the control PMOS transistor MP9 form a first trans-linear loop. The fourth NMOS transistor MN10, the fifth NMOS transistor MN11 and the control NMOS transistor MN9 form a second trans-linear loop. Thus, a class AB output of the rail-to-rail class AB amplifier may be enabled by those two trans-linear loops.
The control PMOS transistor MP9 and the control NMOS transistor MN9 of the control circuit 50 may provide constant voltages to the first output transistor MP12 and the second output transistor MN12 by controlling voltages of the third node N3 and the fourth node N4.
The first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2 may be used as compensation capacitors.
As described abode, the rail-to-rail class AB amplifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may process high swing signals and perform class AB control by using input/output rail-to-rail structure and trans-linear loops.
Additionally, the rail-to-rail class AB amplifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may increase the output impedance by using a gain boosting amplifier. A total gain may be controlled easily by additional current sources.
While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2006-75291 | Aug 2006 | KR | national |