Differential amplifiers and methods of using same
AssigneeRambus Inc.
InventorsBruno W. Garlepp, Andrew C. C. Ho
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A differential amplifier and method of using same are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the present invention may be realized as a circuit comprising a differential amplifier for receiving a differential input signal and generating a differential output signal, a comparator for generating an adjustment signal based at least in part upon the differential output signal, and a current controller for controlling current steering and at least one offset current in the differential amplifier based at least in part upon the adjustment signal and a current steering variable signal.
Claims22
A circuit comprising:
- a differential amplifier for receiving a differential input signal and generating a differential output signal;
- a comparator for generating an adjustment signal based at least in part upon the differential output signal;
- and
- a current controller for controlling current steering and at least one offset current in the differential amplifier based at least in part upon the adjustment signal and a current steering variable signal.
A method for reducing the effect of random mismatches in circuit components in a differential amplifier, the method comprising the steps of:
- applying a differential zero voltage reference signal to an input of the differential amplifier;
- adjusting at least one offset current component of the differential amplifier until a differential output voltage from an output of the differential amplifier is equal to zero;
- applying a differential twist voltage reference signal to the input of the differential amplifier;
- and
- adjusting tail current components of the differential amplifier until a differential output voltage from an output of the differential amplifier is equal to zero.
A differential amplifier comprising:
- means for applying a differential zero voltage reference signal to an input of the differential amplifier;
- means for adjusting at least one offset current component of the differential amplifier until a differential output voltage from an output of the differential amplifier is equal to zero;
- means for applying a differential twist voltage reference signal to the input of the differential amplifier;
- and
- means for adjusting tail current components of the differential amplifier until a differential output voltage from an output of the differential amplifier is equal to zero.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.