Differential amplifiers which can form a residue amplifier in sub-ranging A/D converters

A differential amplifier with an input port and an output port, said amplifier comprising:

• first and second current sources;
• a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said input port and their first current terminals coupled to said first current source;
• a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with their first current terminals coupled to said second current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a buffer transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal wherein said control terminal of said buffer transistor is coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said second differential pair and said first current terminal of said buffer transistor is coupled to the control terminal of a second one of the transistors of said second differential pair;
• said buffer transistor thereby forming a portion of one of said coupling paths.

A differential amplifier with an input port and an output port, said amplifier comprising:

• first and second current sources;
• a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said input port and their first current terminals coupled to said first current source;
• a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with their first current terminals coupled to said second current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a first source resistor coupling the first current terminal of said first transistor of said first differentiated pair with said first current source;
• wherein said first current source supplies a first current;
• and
• said second current source supplies a second current substantially equal to 1/N times said first current;
• and further including a second source resistor coupling the first current terminal of said first transistor of said second differential pair to said second current source wherein the ratio of the resistance of said second source resistor to the resistance of said first source resistor is substantially N.

A differential amplifier with an input port and an output port, said amplifier comprising:

• first and second current sources;
• a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said input port and their first current terminals coupled to said first current source;
• a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with their first current terminals coupled to said second current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a first source resistor coupling the first current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair with said first current source;
• wherein the ratio of said first load resistor to said first source resistor is G;
• said first current source supplies a first current;
• and
• said second current source supplies a second current substantially equal to 1/G times said first current;
• and further including a second source resistor coupling the first current terminal of said first transistor of said second differential pair to said second current source wherein the ratio of the resistance of said second source resistor to the resistance of said first source resistor is substantially G.

A differential amplifier with an input port and an output port, said amplifier comprising:

• first, second, third and fourth current sources;
• a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said first input port, one of their first current terminals coupled to said first current source and the other of their first current terminals coupled to said second current source;
• a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with one of their first current terminals coupled to said third current source and the other of their first current terminals coupled to said fourth current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• and
• a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to said output port and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair.

A differential amplifier with an input port and an output port, said amplifier comprising:

• first, second, third and fourth current sources;
• a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said first input port, one of their first current terminals coupled to said first current source and the other of their first current terminals coupled to said second current source;
• a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with one of their first current terminals coupled to said third current source and the other of their first current terminals coupled to said fourth current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a first source resistor coupling the first current terminals of said first differential pair;
• wherein said first and second current sources each supplies a first current;
• and
• said third and fourth current sources each supplies a second current substantially equal to 1/N times said first current;
• and further including a second source resistor coupling the first current terminals of said second differential pair wherein the ratio of the resistance of said second source resistor to the resistance of said first source resistor is substantially N.

A differential amplifier having first and second input ports and an output port with said second input port configured to receive a differential input current signal, said amplifier comprising:

• a current source;
• a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said first input port and their first current terminals coupled to said second input port;
• a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with their first current terminals coupled to said current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• and
• a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to said output port and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair.

A differential amplifier having first and second input ports and an output port with said second input port configured to receive a differential input current signal, said amplifier comprising:

• a current source;
• a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said first input port and their first current terminals coupled to said second input port;
• a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with their first current terminals coupled to said current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a buffer transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal;
• and wherein said control terminal of said buffer transistor is coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said second differential pair and said first current terminal of said buffer transistor is coupled to the control terminal of a second one of the transistors of said second differential pair;
• said buffer transistor thereby forming a portion of one of said coupling paths.

A differential amplifier having first and second input ports and an output port with said second input port configured to receive a differential input current signal, said amplifier comprising:

• a current source;
• a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said first input port and their first current terminals coupled to said second input port;
• a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with their first current terminals coupled to said current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a first source resistor coupled between said first current terminals of said first differential pair
• wherein said current source supplies a current substantially equal to 1/N times said differential input current signal;
• and further including a second source resistor coupling the first current terminal of said first transistor of said second differential pair to said current source wherein the ratio of the resistance of said second source resistor to the resistance of said first source resistor is substantially N.

A differential amplifier having first and second input ports and an output port with said second input port configured to receive a differential input current signal, said amplifier comprising:

• a current source;
• a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said first input port and their first current terminals coupled to said second input port;
• a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with their first current terminals coupled to said current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a first source resistor coupled between said first current terminals of said first differential pair
• wherein the ratio of said first load resistor to said first source resistor is G/2;
• and
• said current source supplies a current substantially equal to 1/G times said differential input current signal;
• and further including a second source resistor coupling the first current terminal of said first transistor of said second differential pair to said current source wherein the ratio of the resistance of said second source resistor to the resistance of said first source resistor is substantially G/2.

A differential amplifier having first and second input ports and an output port with said second input port configured to receive a differential input current signal, said amplifier comprising:

• first and second current sources;
• a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said first input port and their first current terminals coupled to said second input port;
• a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with one of their first current terminals coupled to said first current source, the other of their first current terminals coupled to said second current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• and
• a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to said output port and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair.

A differential amplifier having first and second input ports and an output port with said second input port configured to receive a differential input current signal, said amplifier comprising:

• first and second current sources;
• a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said first input port and their first current terminals coupled to said second input port;
• a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with one of their first current terminals coupled to said first current source, the other of their first current terminals coupled to said second current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• and
• a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a first source resistor coupled between said first current terminals of said first differential pair;
• wherein each of said first and second current sources supplies a current substantially equal to 1/2N times said differential input current signal;
• and further including a second source resistor coupled between said first current terminals of said second differential pair wherein the ratio of the resistance of said second source resistor to the resistance of said first source resistor is substantially N.

A subranging analog-to-digital converter responsive to analog signals at a converter input, comprising:

• a coarse-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a coarse-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at said converter input;
• a reconstruction digital-to-analog converter configured to produce a differential full-scale current IFS in response to digital signals at said coarse-bit quantizer output;
• a fine-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a fine-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at a fine-bit quantizer input;
• and
• a residue amplifier that includes;
• a) a current source;
• b) a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said converter input and their first current terminals arranged to receive said differential current IFS;
• c) a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with their first current terminals coupled to said current source and their second current terminals coupled to said fine-bit quantizer input wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• d) a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• and
• e) a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to said fine-bit quantizer input and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair.

A subranging analog-to-digital converter responsive to analog signals at a converter input, comprising:

• a coarse-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a coarse-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at said converter input;
• a reconstruction digital-to-analog converter configured to produce a differential full-scale current IFS in response to digital signals at said coarse-bit quantizer output;
• a fine-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a fine-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at a fine-bit quantizer input;
• a residue amplifier that includes;
• a) a current source;
• b) a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said converter input and their first current terminals arranged to receive said differential current IFS;
• c) a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with their first current terminals coupled to said current source and their second current terminals coupled to said fine-bit quantizer input wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• d) a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• and
• e) a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a buffer transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal;
• and wherein said control terminal of said buffer transistor is coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said second differential pair and said first current terminal of said buffer transistor is coupled to the control terminal of a second one of the transistors of said second differential pair;
• said buffer transistor thereby forming a portion of one of said coupling paths.

A subranging analog-to-digital converter responsive to analog signals at a converter input, comprising:

• a coarse-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a coarse-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at said converter input;
• a reconstruction digital-to-analog converter configured to produce a differential full-scale current IFS in response to digital signals at said coarse-bit quantizer output;
• a fine-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a fine-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at a fine-bit quantizer input;
• a residue amplifier that includes;
• a) a current source;
• b) a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said converter input and their first current terminals arranged to receive said differential current IFS;
• c) a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with their first current terminals coupled to said current source and their second current terminals coupled to said fine-bit quantizer input wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• d) a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• and
• e) a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a first source resistor coupled between said first current terminals of said first differential pair;
• wherein said current source supplies a current substantially equal to IFS/N and further including a second source resistor coupling said first current terminal of said first transistor of said second differential pair to said current source wherein the ratio of the resistance of said second source resistor to the resistance of said first source resistor is substantially N/2.

A subranging analog-to-digital converter responsive to analog signals at a converter input, comprising:

• a coarse-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a coarse-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at said converter input;
• a reconstruction digital-to-analog converter configured to produce a differential full-scale current IFS in response to digital signals at said coarse-bit quantizer output;
• a fine-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a fine-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at a fine-bit quantizer input;
• a residue amplifier that includes;
• a) a current source;
• b) a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said converter input and their first current terminals arranged to receive said differential current IFS;
• c) a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with their first current terminals coupled to said current source and their second current terminals coupled to said fine-bit quantizer input wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• d) a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• and
• e) a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a first source resistor coupled between said first current terminals of said first differential pair;
• wherein the ratio of said first load resistor to said first source resistor is G/2;
• and
• said current source supplies a current substantially equal to IFS/G;
• and further including a second source resistor coupling said first current terminal of said first transistor of said second differential pair to said current source wherein the ratio of the resistance of said second source resistor to the resistance of said first source resistor is substantially G/2.

A subranging analog-to-digital converter responsive to analog signals at a converter input, comprising:

• a coarse-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a coarse-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at said converter input;
• a reconstruction digital-to-analog converter configured to produce a differential full-scale current IFS in response to digital signals at said coarse-bit quantizer output;
• a fine-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a fine-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at a fine-bit quantizer input;
• and
• a residue amplifier that includes;
• a) first and second current sources;
• b) a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said converter input and their first current terminals arranged to receive said differential current IFS;
• c) a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with one of their first current terminals coupled to said first current source, the other of their first current terminals coupled to said second current source and their second current terminals coupled to said fine-bit quantizer input wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• d) a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• and
• e) a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to said fine-bit quantizer input and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair.

A subranging analog-to-digital converter responsive to analog signals at a converter input, comprising:

• a coarse-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a coarse-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at said converter input;
• a reconstruction digital-to-analog converter configured to produce a differential full-scale current IFS in response to digital signals at said coarse-bit quantizer output;
• a fine-bit quantizer configured to produce digital signals at a fine-bit quantizer output in response to analog signals at a fine-bit quantizer input;
• a residue amplifier that includes;
• a) first and second current sources;
• b) a first differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said first differential pair arranged with their control terminals coupled to said converter input and their first current terminals arranged to receive said differential current IFS;
• c) a second differential pair of transistors that each have first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said second differential pair arranged with one of their first current terminals coupled to said first current source, the other of their first current terminals coupled to said second current source and their second current terminals coupled to said output port wherein the second current terminal of each of the transistors of said second differential pair is coupled through a respective coupling path to the control terminal of the other transistor of said second differential pair;
• d) a first load resistor coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said first differential pair;
• and
• e) a coupling transistor that has first and second current terminals which are responsive to a control terminal, said coupling transistor arranged with its first current terminal coupled to the second current terminal of a first one of the transistors of said second differential pair and its control terminal coupled to said second current terminal of said first transistor of said first differential pair;
• and
• a first source resistor coupled between said first current terminals of said first differential pair;
• wherein each of said first and second current sources supplies a current substantially equal to 1/2N times said differential input current signal;
• and further including a second source resistor coupled between said first current terminals of said second differential pair wherein the ratio of the resistance of said second source resistor to the resistance of said first source resistor is substantially N.