Wide dynamic range operational amplifier
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorMark D. Dvorak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An operational amplifier has a bias circuit, a differential amplifier, an output stage, and a feed forward circuit. The bias circuit provides a reference. The differential amplifier is coupled to a pair of input terminals and provides a differential output based on the first and second inputs. The output stage responds to the reference and to the differential output so as to supply a current to an output terminal. The feed forward circuit responds to the differential output in order to increase and decrease current to the output terminal. As a result, the feed forward circuit extends the dynamic range of the operational amplifier.
Claims30
An operational amplifier comprising:
- a bias circuit arranged to provide a reference;
- an input stage including a differential amplifier, wherein the input stage is coupled to a pair of input terminals and is arranged to provide an output signal on a differential amplifier output;
- an output stage coupled to the reference, to the differential amplifier output, and to an output terminal;
- and,
- a feed forward circuit coupled to the differential amplifier output and to the output stage so as to extend the dynamic range of the operational amplifier.
An operational amplifier comprising:
- a differential amplifier coupled to a pair of input terminals and arranged to provide an output signal on a differential amplifier output;
- an output stage having a first active control element coupled between the differential amplifier output and an output terminal and a second active control element coupled between a reference and the output terminal;
- and,
- a feed forward circuit coupled between the differential amplifier output and the second active control element so as to control increasing and decreasing of current to the output terminal in response to the output signal on the differential amplifier output.
A method of supplying a differential output based upon first and second inputs comprising:
- supplying a reference bias to a first control element of an output stage of an operational amplifier;
- amplifying a difference between the first and second inputs so as to provide a differential output;
- controlling a second control element of the output stage in accordance with the differential output so as to control a current to an output terminal;
- and,
- adjusting the reference bias in accordance with the differential output in a feed forward manner so as to increase and decrease the current to the output terminal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.