Broadband linear transconductance amplifier with resistive pole-splitting compensation

An integrated circuit having a transconductance amplifier, the amplifier comprising:

• an active feedback device;
• a passive compensation circuit, connected in parallel with the active feedback device;
• an input device adapted to receive an input voltage to the amplifier;
• a current source connected to the input device and adapted to maintain an approximately constant current through the input device;
• and
• an output device and output mirror arrangement connected to the input device and adapted to generate an output current of the amplifier, wherein the active feedback device and the passive compensation circuit are connected between a base of the output device and the output of the current source, wherein:
• the input device is a transistor adapted to receive the input voltage at its base/gate;
• the current source comprises one or more transistors in cascade;
• the output device and the output mirror are transistors interconnected at their bases;
• the active feedback device comprises a transistor connected at its channel nodes to the base of the output device and to the output of the current source;
• and
• the passive compensation circuit comprises a capacitor and a resistor connected in series between the base of the output device and the output of the current source.