Wideband amplifier and methods of use

A wideband amplifier comprising:

• a first input node;
• a second input node;
• an output node;
• a direct-current (DC) differential amplifier having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and a first output terminal, the first input terminal connected to the first input node of the wideband amplifier, the second input terminal connected to the second input node of the wideband amplifier;
• an output resistor having a first lead connected to the first output terminal of the DC differential amplifier;
• an alternating-current (AC) differential amplifier having a third input terminal, a fourth input terminal, and a second output terminal;
• a first series input capacitor having a first lead connected to the first input node of the wideband amplifier and a second lead connected to the third input terminal of the AC differential amplifier;
• a second series input capacitor having a first lead connected to the second input node of the wideband amplifier and a second lead connected to the fourth input terminal of the AC differential amplifier;
• and
• an output capacitor having a first lead connected to the second output terminal of the AC differential amplifier, wherein the DC differential amplifier includes a first control terminal configured to receive a first control signal for placing the DC differential amplifier in a high impedance output condition, and wherein the AC differential amplifier includes a second control terminal configured to receive a second control signal for placing the AC differential amplifier in the high impedance output condition.

A method comprising:

• placing a wideband amplifier in a first operational configuration during a first period of time whereby a DC differential amplifier provides a first frequency response extending from DC to a first cut-off frequency, and an AC differential amplifier provides a second frequency response extending from the first cut-off frequency to a third cut-off frequency;
• placing the wideband amplifier in a second operational configuration during a second period of time whereby the first frequency response of the DC differential amplifier extends from DC to a second cut-off frequency that is higher than the first cut-off frequency;
• and
• placing the wideband amplifier in a third operational configuration during a third period of time whereby the second frequency response of the AC differential amplifier extends from a fourth cut-off frequency that is lower than the first cut-off frequency, to the third cut-off frequency.