The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 07, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 19, 1996
Jerald G Graeme, Tucson, AZ (US);
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
A high gain common-emitter output stage for an amplifier is disclosed. In one embodiment, an output stage for an amplifier circuit according to the invention includes: a first transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector, the emitter being connected to a first potential through a first resistor, the collector being connected to a second potential through a series connection of a second resistor and a bias current source, the base being connected between the second resistor and the bias current; a second transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector, the emitter being connected to the first potential, the collector being connected to the second potential through a load element, the base being connected to the collector of said first transistor; and a signal current source for supplying a current signal to be amplified. The output stage according to the invention is advantageous because the gain provided is exponential, yet the bias condition remains stable. The output stage also operates efficiently from a power perspective as power consumption is low during quiescent conditions.