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US 5,668,486 AGranted
Strobed comparator for a large common mode range
OwnerGeoffrey E. Brehmerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A strobed comparator for a large common mode range is described, which includes a mixture of natural and enhancement transistors, and a high-swing folded-cascode architecture, to achieve an improved dynamic range suitable for audio applications.
Claims6
A comparator circuit, comprising:
- (a) a folded-cascode input stage circuit having differential outputs and differential inputs;
- (b) strobed control stage circuit having an input and differential outputs;
- (c) a first current mirror circuit, having an input connected to a differential output of said folded-cascode input stage circuit and an output connected to a differential output of said strobed control stage circuit;
- (d) a second current mirror circuit, having an input connected to another differential output of said folded-cascode input stage circuit and an output connected to another differential output of said strobed control stage circuit;
- and
- (e) an input strobe signal connected to said strobed control stage circuit input;
- wherein when said input strobe signal is at a first logic level said output of said first current mirror circuit and said output of said second current mirror circuit are pulled to ground potential, wherein said first and said second current mirror circuits provide an output for said comparator circuit.
4 more elements
A method of controlling the logical output of a comparator circuit, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a comparator circuit, comprising a folded-cascode input stage circuit having differential outputs and inputs;
- a strobed control stage circuit having an input and differential outputs;
- a first and a second current mirror circuit, each said current mirror circuit having an input connected to a differential output of said folded-cascode input stage circuit, and an output connected to a differential output of said strobed control stage circuit;
- (b) providing an input strobe signal to said input of said strobed control stage circuit;
- and
- (c) pulling said output of said first and said output of said second current mirror circuit to ground potential when said input strobe signal is at a first logic level.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.