Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Avnera Corporation

David W Entrikin

Jianping Wen

Eric T King

Ali Hadiashar

Wai Lang Lee

Brent R Jensen

Benjamin J McCarroll

Garry N Link

Embodiments of the invention include an oversampling Analog to Digital Converter that uses uneven non-overlapping clock phases to reduce switched capacitor circuit power consumption. A return-to-zero sub phase of one of the clock phases may also be used for feedback reference capacitors. A delay lock loop may be combined with the non-overlapping clock phase generator to control accurate timing.

Analog to digital converters with oversampling

Transimpedance amplifiers that provide moderate bandwidth and very large overdrive current capabilities while consuming a minimum amount of power supply current. Existing transimpedance amplifier topologies use a quiescent current somewhat larger than the overdrive current that must be tolerated while the present invention reduces the value of the quiescent current and can tolerate bi-directional overdrive current several times larger than the current consumption of the circuit itself. The preferred embodiment of the invention is arranged such that stability of the circuit is ensured under all operating conditions, including overdrive conditions. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Efficient high overdrive transimpedance amplifiers

Transimpedance amplifiers with improved gain-bandwidth products. The transimpedance amplifiers include a boost current circuit to increase the gain-bandwidth product of the transimpedance device, particularly useful when using low voltage power supplies. The boost current can be made responsive to the input current of the amplifier, better accommodating large input currents. The boost current may also be responsive to the power supply voltage, reducing the boost current with increasing power supply voltage. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Transimpedance amplifiers with improved gain-bandwidth product

A linear differential amplifier with improved voltage swing is disclosed. The linear differential amplifier corrects for an error voltage inherent in differential pair amplifiers, without hindering the available voltage swing, and thus, is particularly suited for low-voltage applications. The differential amplifier includes an input differential amplifier for receiving an input voltage difference to be amplified; a distortion correction differential amplifier for producing an error correction amount; and an output differential amplifier for receiving the input voltage difference and the error correction amount, amplifying the input voltage difference to produce an output voltage, and correcting the output voltage in accordance with the error correction amount. Also disclosed is a method for improving available voltage swing of a differential amplifier when amplifying an input voltage difference.

Differential pair amplifier with improved linearity in low-voltage

A current source includes a control stage responsive to a stable, d.c. input voltage that is operative to produce a control voltage proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT), and an output stage responsive to the PTAT control voltage that is operative to produce an output current that is an essentially constant fraction of an output constant current source. The control stage includes a temperature-dependent control resistor of a given resistor type, and at least one control constant current source providing the control resistor with a temperature dependent control current. The temperature dependent current source includes a temperature dependent current source resistor based on the given resistor type such that the temperature dependencies of the control current and the control resistor tend to cancel in such a manner that a true PTAT control voltage is developed. The output stage includes an output transistor coupled to an output constant current source such that an output current of the output stage has no current contribution other than from the output current source. A method for providing a current that is a constant fraction of an output constant current source includes the steps of: (a) developing a control current that is based on the same resistor type as a control resistor; (b) applying the control current to the control resistor to develop a control voltage that is proportional to absolute temperature; and (c) applying the control voltage to a current divider coupled to an output constant source to provide an output current.

Growing community of inventors

Portland, OR, United States of America

David W Entrikin