Multi-port cross-connected multi-level cascode differential amplifier

A method for amplifying a differential signal, comprising:

• providing a first cascode circuit comprising:
• a first input transistor comprising a first collector, a first emitter, and a first base;
• and
• a first output transistor comprising a second collector, a second base, and a second emitter coupled to the first collector;
• providing a second cascode circuit comprising:
• a second input transistor comprising a third collector, a third emitter, and a third base;
• and
• a second output transistor comprising a fourth collector, a fourth base, and a fourth emitter coupled to the third collector;
• connecting the first base to the fourth base;
• connecting the second base to the third base;
• inputting the differential signal to the first base and the third base;
• and
• outputting an amplified differential signal from the second collector and the fourth collector.

A method for amplifying a differential signal, comprising:

• providing a first cascade circuit comprising:
• a first input transistor comprising a first collector, a first emitter, and a first base;
• and
• a first output transistor comprising a second collector, a second base, and a second emitter coupled to the first collector;
• providing a second cascode circuit comprising:
• a second input transistor comprising a third collector, a third emitter, and a third base;
• and
• a second output transistor comprising a fourth collector, a fourth base, and a fourth emitter coupled to the third collector;
• connecting the first base to the fourth base;
• connecting the second base to the third base;
• configuring a plurality of first series transistors as first common base (CB) amplifiers and connecting the first CB amplifiers in a first series with the first output transistor, each of the first series transistors comprising a respective fifth collector, a respective fifth base and a respective fifth emitter, the plurality of the first series transistors comprising:
• a first-series-initial transistor, connected at an initial position in the first series, such that the fifth emitter of the first-series-initial transistor is connected to the second collector;
• and
• one or more first-series-subsequent transistors, connected subsequent to the first-series-initial transistor, such that the fifth emitter of each of the first-series-subsequent transistors is connected to the fifth collector of a preceding one of the first-series-subsequent transistors, and a first output signal is generated at the fifth collector of a final one of the first-series-subsequent transistors;
• configuring a plurality of second series transistors as second CB amplifiers and connecting the second CB amplifiers in a second series with the second output transistor, each of the second series transistors comprising a respective sixth collector, a respective sixth base and a respective sixth emitter, the plurality of the second series transistors comprising:
• a second-series-initial transistor, connected at an initial position in the second series, such that the sixth emitter of the second-series-initial transistor is connected to the fourth collector;
• and
• one or more second-series-subsequent transistors, connected subsequent to the second-series-initial transistor in the second series, such that the sixth emitter of each of the second-series-subsequent transistors is connected to the sixth collector of a preceding one of the second-series-subsequent transistors in the second series, and a second output signal is generated at the sixth collector of a final one of the second-series-subsequent transistors in the second series;
• receiving a first input signal and providing, responsively to the first input signal, respective inputs to the first base and to the fifth base of each of the first series transistors, such that each of the respective inputs to the first series transistors is proportional to the first input signal in a proportion responsive to a position of each of the first series transistors in the first series;
• and
• receiving a second input signal and providing, responsively to the second input signal, respective inputs to the third base and to the sixth base of each of the second series transistors, such that each of the respective inputs to the second series transistors is proportional to the second input signal in a proportion responsive to a position of each of the second series transistors in the second series.

A method for amplifying a differential signal, comprising:

• providing a first cascode circuit comprising:
• a first input transistor comprising a first collector, a first emitter, and a first base;
• and
• a first output transistor comprising a second collector, a second base, and a second emitter coupled to the first collector;
• providing a second cascode circuit comprising:
• a second input transistor comprising a third collector, a third emitter, and a third base;
• and
• a second output transistor comprising a fourth collector, a fourth base, and a fourth emitter coupled to the third collector;
• connecting the first base to the fourth base;
• connecting the second base to the third base;
• configuring a fifth transistor as a common base (CB) amplifier and connecting it in series with the second transistor, the fifth transistor comprising a fifth collector, a fifth base and a fifth emitter connected to the second collector, such that a first output signal is generated at the fifth collector;
• configuring a sixth transistor as a CB amplifier and connecting it in series with the fourth transistor, the sixth transistor comprising a sixth collector, a sixth base and a sixth emitter connected to the fourth collector, such chat a second output signal is generated at the sixth collector;
• receiving a first input signal and providing, responsively to the first input signal, substantially similar inputs to the first base and to the fifth base;
• and
• receiving a second input signal and providing, responsively to the second input signal, substantially similar inputs to the second base and to the sixth base.

Apparatus for compensating for losses in an electronic signal, comprising:

• a first cascode circuit comprising:
• a first input transistor comprising a first collector, a first emitter, and a first base;
• and
• a first output transistor comprising a second collector, a second base, and a second emitter coupled to the first collector;
• a second cascade circuit comprising:
• a second input transistor comprising a third collector, a third emitter, and a third base;
• and
• a second output transistor comprising a fourth collector, a fourth base, and a fourth emitter coupled to the third collector;
• a first connection that connects the first base to the fourth base;
• a second connection that connects the second base to the third base;
• a circuit wherein the losses occur, the circuit being connected to the first base and the third base;
• and
• a first compensating circuit connected between the second emitter and the second base, and a second compensating circuit connected between the fourth emitter and the fourth base.

A method for compensating for losses in an electronic signal, comprising:

• providing a first cascade circuit comprising:
• a first input transistor comprising a first collector, a first emitter, and a first base;
• and
• a first output transistor comprising a second collector, a second base, and a second emitter coupled to the first collector;
• providing a second cascode circuit comprising:
• a second input transistor comprising a third collector, a third emitter, and a third base;
• and
• a second output transistor comprising a fourth collector, a fourth base, and a fourth emitter coupled to the third collector;
• connecting the first base to the fourth base;
• connecting the second base to the third base;
• coupling a circuit having the losses to the first base and the third base;
• and
• connecting a first compensating circuit between the second emitter and the second base, and connecting a second compensating circuit between the fourth emitter and the fourth base.