Low quiescent current output stage and method with improved output drive

A method for increasing a maximum output current magnitude of a diamond buffer, the method comprising:

• (a) sourcing a bias current of a first predetermined magnitude into an emitter of a PNP first input transistor of the diamond buffer and sinking a bias current of the first predetermined magnitude out of an emitter of an NPN second input transistor of the diamond buffer;
• (b) sensing a decrease in a collector current of the first input transistor caused by a demand for increased base current by a NPN first output transistor of the diamond buffer;
• (c) increasing a collector current in a NPN first transistor in response to the sensed decrease in the collector current of the first input transistor;
• and
• (d) mirroring the increased collector current of the first transistor into a base of the first output transistor to boost the base current thereof and maintain operation of the first input transistor without substantially increasing quiescent current of the diamond buffer when the amount of base current demanded by the first output transistor exceeds the first predetermined magnitude.

Circuitry for increasing a maximum output current magnitude of a diamond buffer, comprising:

• (a) means for sourcing a bias current of a first predetermined magnitude into an emitter of a PNP first input transistor of the diamond buffer and sinking a bias current of the first predetermined magnitude out of an emitter of an NPN second input transistor of the diamond buffer;
• (b) means for sensing a decrease in a collector current of the first input transistor caused by a demand for increased base current by a NPN first output transistor of the diamond buffer;
• (c) means for increasing a collector current in a NPN first transistor in response to the sensed decrease in the collector current of the first input transistor;
• and
• (d) means for mirroring the increased collector current in the first transistor into a base of the first output transistor to boost the base current thereof and maintain operation of the first input transistor when the amount of base current demanded by the first output transistor exceeds the first predetermined magnitude.