System and method for a startup circuit for a differential CMOS amplifier

An apparatus for correcting start-up deficiencies in a differential amplifier including a startup mechanism, the amplifier including (i) a first circuit node formed of a junction of sources of output stage transistors, gates of the output stage transistors forming differential output ports and (ii) a second circuit node formed of a junction of sources of input stage transistors, a second circuit node voltage being representative of a voltage level of the second circuit node;

• the startup mechanism including:
• a comparator having inverting and non-inverting input ports and an output port;
• and
• first and second transistors having (i) gates connected to the comparator output port, (ii) drains respectively connected to the gates of the output stage transistors, and (iii) sources connected to the first circuit node;
• the apparatus comprising:
• means for comparing the second circuit node voltage to a reference voltage;
• means for producing a compensating voltage based upon the comparison;
• and
• means for adjusting a voltage associated with the differential output ports in accordance with the compensating voltage.