Fast recovery time precision amplifier
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsMyron J. Koen, Harish Venkataraman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An amplifier with a electrically controllable gain and enhanced protection against an overload condition is disclosed. The amplifier contains a buffer amplifier configured to convert an input voltage signal to a current signal and an output amplifier that converts a current signal to an output voltage signal. The gain of the amplifier can be controlled by an internal resistor that can be electrically configured to different resistance levels. The amplifier also includes a clamping network used to clamp the output amplifier to prevent an overload condition. This network may take the form of a diode network. Such an amplifier may take the form of a differential amplifier.
Claims15
A differential amplifier comprising:
- a first buffer amplifier;
- a second buffer amplifier coupled to said first buffer amplifier;
- first output amplifier coupled to said second buffer amplifier;
- a second output amplifier;
- a first resistor;
- a second resistor;
- a third resistor;
- a first diode network configured to prevent an overload condition for said first output amplifier;
- and
- a second diode network configured to prevent an overload condition for said second output amplifier;
- wherein:
- said first resistor is coupled in a feedback loop to said first output amplifier;
- said second resistor is coupled in a feedback loop to said second output amplifier;
- said first buffer amplifier is coupled to said second buffer amplifier via said third resistor;
- said first diode network is coupled in parallel to said first resistor;
- and
- said second diode network is coupled in parallel to said second resistor.
A method of amplifying an input signal comprising:
- sensing an input voltage signal;
- converting said input voltage signal into a current signal;
- inputting said current signal into a transimpedance amplifier to form an output voltage signal;
- and
- clamping said output voltage signal if said voltage signal exceeds a predetermined value,
- wherein said converting step is performed by a variable resistor coupled to a buffer amplifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.