Operational amplifier with selectable performance characteristics
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorMark D. Dvorak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An operational amplifier with selectable performance characteristics is provided. The operational amplifier provides a sleep mode (e.g., fully disabled) in addition to providing a number of different levels of awake operation (e.g., different performance characteristics). As such, the op-amp can allow a system to use only the power needed to obtain a required level of performance at any point in time. For example, the op-amp may be operated at a minimum power mode, an awake at mid-level power mode, or an awake at maximum power mode.
Claims28
A multi-mode operational amplifier comprising:
- an amplifier arranged to amplify a difference between a first input and a second input so as to provide a differential output;
- and
- mode selection circuitry coupled to the amplifier and arranged to provide an output signal to the differential output, wherein the output signal operates to control a number of different operational modes for the amplifier, and wherein the mode selection circuitry comprises selectable input stage circuitry arranged to be enabled or disabled by a first selectable signal so as to reflect an operational mode.
A multi-mode operational amplifier comprising:
- a differential amplifier coupled to a pair of input terminals and arranged to provide an output signal on a differential amplifier output;
- a selectable input stage circuit coupled to the pair of input terminals and arranged to provide a second output signal on a second differential amplifier output;
- and
- a selectable output stage circuit coupled to the second differential amplifier output and based on whether one or both of the selectable input stage circuit and the selectable output stage circuit are enabled, the selectable input stage circuit or the selectable output stage circuit provides a control signal to the differential amplifier output, wherein the control signal operates to control a performance characteristic of the differential amplifier.
An operational amplifier comprising:
- a bias circuit arranged to provide a reference;
- an input stage including a differential amplifier, wherein the input stage is coupled to a pair of input terminals and is arranged to create a difference signal between signals on the pair of input terminals;
- an output stage coupled to the reference, to the difference signal, and to a differential amplifier output and is arranged to provide an output signal on the differential amplifier output;
- a parallel input stage coupled to the reference and arranged to provide a second output signal on a second differential amplifier output;
- and
- a parallel output stage coupled to the second differential amplifier output and arranged to output a control signal to the differential amplifier output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.