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:
Jul. 30, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 27, 2000
Dragos Davidescu, Aix en Provence, FR;
STMicroelectronics S.A., Gentilly, FR;
Abstract
An operational amplifier is provided that includes an inverting input channel, a non-inverting input channel, and an output stage. Each of the input channels controls at least one input transistor, and the output stage supplies an output voltage as a function of a potential difference at the input channels. Additionally, the operational amplifier includes at least one signal correction element in association with at least one of the input channels. The signal correction element is selectively put into circuit to selectively add an offset voltage correction signal to a signal that is supplied to the output stage in order to balance the characteristics of the two input channels. Also provided is a circuit for correcting the offset voltage of an operational amplifier. The circuit includes means for determining the output voltage of the operational amplifier, means for applying a reference voltage to one of the inputs of the operational amplifier, means for selectively coupling the inputs of the operational amplifier, and programming means for programming the placing of at least one signal correction element into circuit. Additionally, a method is provided for correcting the offset voltage of an operational amplifier in which an offset correction signal is determined by an iteration of cycles.