Amplifier with dither
AssigneeAnalog Devices, Inc.
InventorRonald A. Kapusta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An analog amplifier includes at least one signal path. Each of the at least one signal path extends between an input and an output and includes a load device coupled to the output and a transistor coupled to the input. The analog amplifier further includes a dither current source selectively coupled to one of the at least one signal path. The dither current source is capable of supplying dither current to the load device of the selected signal path directly by bypassing the transistor of the selected signal path.
Claims18
An analog amplifier, comprising:
- at least one signal path, each extending between an input and an output, and each including a load device coupled to the output and a transistor coupled to the input;
- and
- a dither current source selectively coupled to one of the at least one signal path, the dither current source supplying dither current to the load device of the selected signal path directly by bypassing the transistor in the selected signal path.
A comparator, comprising:
- at least one pre-amplifier, the at least one pre-amplifier including:
- at least one signal path, each extending between an input and an output, and each including a load device coupled to the output of the at least one pre-amplifier and a transistor coupled to the input of the at least one pre-amplifier;
- and
- a first dither current source selectively coupled to one of the at least one signal path, the first dither current source supplying dither current to the loading device of the selected signal path directly by bypassing the transistor of the selected signal path;
- and
- a latch circuit coupled to the at least one pre-amplifier, the latch circuit having a first and second outputs, the latch including a second dither current source selectively coupled to one of the first and second outputs of the latch circuit.
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC), comprising:
- a plurality of comparators, each including:
- at least one pre-amplifier, the at least one pre-amplifier including:
- at least one signal path, each extending between an input and an output, and each including a load device coupled to the output of the at least one pre-amplifier and a transistor coupled to the input of the at least one pre-amplifier;
- and
- a first dither current source selectively coupled to one of the at least one signal path, the first dither current source supplying dither current to the loading device of the selected signal path directly by bypassing the transistor of the selected signal path;
- and
- a latch circuit coupled to the at least one pre-amplifier, the latch circuit having a first and second outputs, the latch including a second dither current source selectively coupled to one of the first and second outputs of the latch circuit.
An analog amplifier, comprising:
- two symmetrical signal paths, each including a load component and a signal amplification component, the load component coupled to one of a pair of differential outputs, the signal amplification component coupled to one of a pair of differential inputs;
- and
- dither current source selectively coupled to each of the signal paths, the dither current source supplying dither current to the load component of the selected signal path directly by bypassing the amplification component of the selected signal path.
An amplifier, comprising:
- a pair of load devices each coupled to a common source potential;
- a pair of input transistors, each coupled to a respective load device and providing a signal path, each input transistor coupled to one of a pair of differential inputs;
- a bias current source coupled to the drains of the input transistors;
- and
- a dither current source selectively coupled to sources of the input transistors and to the drains of the input transistors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.