Dynamically invariant AB linear operation amplifier
AssigneeRockford Corporation
InventorJames C. Strickland
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An amplifier providing the linear output of a Class A amplifier and the expanded peak current output and efficiency of a Class AB amplifier. The amplifier includes an input amplifier, a voltage regulator network, a cascode stage, and an output amplifier. The input amplifier amplifies a signal current into two outputs. The cascode stage and the output stage each contain two paths for the amplified outputs. The voltage regulator network interconnects the two paths between the input amplifier and the cascode stage. The voltage regulator network bypasses a high percentage of the quiescent current that is normally contained in the two paths of the cascode stage and the output amplifier stage, thus improving the peak-to-quiescent current output ratio beyond the 2:1 value of traditional Class A amplifiers.
Claims13
An amplifier for amplifying an electrical signal comprising:
- input amplifier means for amplifying an input signal to produce a first amplified signal;
- cascode means for converting the first amplified signal into a second bipolar amplified signal, said cascode means including a pair of transistors;
- bipolar output amplifier means for amplifying the second bipolar amplified signal, said output amplifier means including two power transistors each driven by one of said cascode transistors;
- and
- current steering means between said input amplifier means and said cascode means for steering two equal complimentary portions of the current produced by said input amplifier means to said cascode means, each of the complimentary portions going to one of said cascode transistors.
An amplifier for amplifying an electrical signal comprising:
- input amplification means for amplifying an input signal to produce a first amplified signal;
- cascode means for converting the first amplified signal into a second bipolar amplified signal, said cascode means including a pair of cascode transistors;
- current steering means connected between said input amplification means and said cascode means for steering two equal complimentary portions of the current produced by said input amplification means to said cascode means, each of the complimentary portions going to one of said cascode transistors;
- and
- output amplification means for amplifying the second bipolar amplified signal, said output amplifier means including two power transistors each driven by one of said cascode transistors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.