Fully balanced transimpedance amplifier for high speed and low voltage applications

An amplifier comprising:

• an input stage that has first and second sides, the input stage comprising
• input means for minimizing noise generation and susceptibility of the amplifier, and
• feedback means for determining a transimpedance of the amplifier;
• a differential stage for minimizing any difference in amplitude between the first and second sides of the input stage;
• and
• buffering means for driving a load of the amplifier, wherein the buffering means comprises two stages of source followers for driving a relatively low impedance load.

An amplifier comprising:

• an input stage having means to eliminate drain-source voltage overhead;
• a differential stage;
• and
• an output stage.

An amplifier comprising:

• an input stage having means to eliminate drain-source voltage overhead;
• a differential stage;
• and
• an output stage;
• wherein the input stage comprises:
• first and second sides;
• wherein the means to eliminate drain-source voltage overhead comprises a matched pair of common source connected transistors with sources tied directly to ground, a respective one of the transistors being in one of the first and second sides of the input stage;
• and
• a respective feedback loop in each of the first and second sides of the input stage, each feedback loop including feedback resistors and at least one diode connected transistor;
• wherein a single stage of gain is provided in each of the loops to achieve stability;
• and
• wherein additional gain is provided by cascading.

An amplifier comprising:

• an input stage having means to eliminate drain-source voltage overhead;
• a differential stage;
• and
• an output stage, wherein the output stage comprises:
• two stages of source followers for driving a relatively low impedance load.