US4929909A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Differential amplifier with gain compensation
Assignee: Analog Devices Inc
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Filing: 1989-03-27
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Granted: 1990-05-29
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Expires: 2009-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A differential amplifier including circuit means for generating a tail current which is not only porportional to absolute temperature, but also is adjusted to compensate for the non-ideal transistor geometries and properties, including finite beta and non-zero, temperature-dependent intrinsic resistances, so as to result in an amplification ratio which is substantially independent of all component variations.
Inventors
- 👤 Barrie Gilbert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:41
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/45; H03F3/45071; H03F3/45479; H03F1/00; H03F1/30; H03F1/302; H03F2203/00; H03F2203/45; H03F2203/45508
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A gain-compensated differential amplifier circuit comprising: (a) a transistor differential amplifier, with reasonably matched current gains, operating at a tail current I tail ; (b) a transistor current source responsive to a control voltage for generating said tail current as a function of the control voltage; (c) control voltage generating means for generating, as the control voltage, a voltage which varies proportionately to absolute temperature; and (d) the control voltage generating means including means for functionally relating the control voltage to the intrinsic emitter resistance of the current source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A gain-compensated differential amplifier circuit comprising: (a) a transistor differential amplifier, with reasonably matched current gains, operating at a tail current I tail ; (b) a transistor current source responsive to a control voltage for generating said tail current as a function of the control voltage; (c) control voltage generating means for generating, as the control voltage, a voltage which varies proportionately to absolute temperature; and (d) the control voltage generating means including means for functionally relating the control voltage to the intrinsic emitter resistance of the current source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The amplifier of claim 1 wherein the control voltage generating means is adapted to generate, as the control voltage, a voltage which generates a tail current having a component that is functionally related to and tracks the ohmic resistances associated with the geometries and current gain characteristics of the differential amplifier transistors and the transistor current source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
The amplifier of either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the current source comprises a common-emitter transistor whose collector is connected to receive the emitter currents of the transistors of the differential amplifier and the control voltage generating means includes a ΔV BE cell for supplying to the base of the common-emitter transistor a control voltage which produces in the collector of the common-emitter transistor a current which is a function of the current gain of the differential amplifier transistors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The amplifier of claim 3 wherein the control voltage produces in the emitter of the common-emitter transistor a current 2I(1+2/beta) and a tail current of 2I(1+1/beta), where beta is the current gain of the differential amplifier transistors, over a selected temperature range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
The amplifier of claim 3 wherein the current source further includes an emitter resistor connected between the emitter of the common-emitter transistor and a voltage reference, and wherein the differential amplifier transistors have finite intrinsic emitter resistance and the control voltage is a function of the emitter resistance, the finite intrinsic emitter resistance of the common-emitter transistor and the current gains of the differential amplifier transistors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
A gain-compensated differential amplifier circuit comprising: (a) a transistor differential amplifier, with reasonably matched current gains, operating at a tail current I tail ; (b) a current source responsive to a control voltage for generating said tail current as a function of the control voltage; (c) control voltage generating means for generating, as the control voltage, a voltage which varies proportionately to absolute temperature, and which is provided by a ΔV BE cell; and (d) the ΔV BE cell including means for functionally relating the control voltage to the intrinsic emitter resistance of the current source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
A gain-compensated differential amplifier circuit comprising: (a) a transistor differential amplifier, with reasonably matched current gains, operating at a tail current I tail ; (b) a current source responsive to a control voltage for generating said tail current as a function of the control voltage; (c) control voltage generating means for generating, as the control voltage, a voltage which varies proportionately to absolute temperature, and which is provided by a ΔV BE cell; and (d) the ΔV BE cell including means for functionally relating the control voltage to the intrinsic emitter resistance of the current source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The amplifer of claim 6 wherein the control voltage generating means is adapted to generate, as the control voltage, a voltage which generates a tail current having a component that is functionally related to and tracks the resistances associated with the transistor geometries and current gain characteristics of the transistors of the differential amplifier and the current source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
The amplifier of either claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the current source comprises a common-emitter transistor whose collector is connected to receive the emitter currents of the transistors of the differential amplifier and the ΔV BE cell supplies to the base of the common-emitter transistor a control voltage which produces in the collector of the common-emitter transistor a current which is a function of the current gain of the differential amplifier transistors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The amplifier of claim 8 wherein the control voltage produces in the emitter of the common-emitter transistor a current 2I(1+2/beta) and a tail current of 2I(1+1/beta), where beta is the current gain of the differential amplifier transistors, over a selected temperature range.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
The amplifier of claim 8 wherein the current source further includes an emitter resistor connected between the emitter of the common-emitter transistor and a voltage reference, and wherein the differential amplifier transistors have finite intrinsic emitter resistance and the control voltage is a function of the emitter resistance, the finite intrinsic emitter resistance of the common-emitter transistor and the current gains of the differential amplifier transistors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-28 | 1993-11-27 | 1994-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-28 | 1997-11-27 | 1998-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-28 | 2001-11-27 | 2002-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |