OUTPUT STAGE FOR NEAR RAIL OPERATION
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a current source transistor configured as a current source for an output node of an amplifier;
a second transistor configured to generate a bias for the current source transistor, wherein the second transistor and the current source transistor are arranged in a current mirror;
a current source configured to provide current to a first node, wherein the first node is electrically connected to at least a first path and a second path, wherein the first path includes the second transistor; and
a replica circuit configured to replicate conditions of an output circuit, wherein the output circuit includes the current source transistor, wherein the second path includes the replica circuit.
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for an output stage of an amplifier are disclosed. A current source circuit provides current to a transistor connected to the amplifier output node to produce output voltage, and the current source circuit has two current mirror paths, one of which replicates the output voltage at the output node. As the output voltage approaches rail, more current is steered to the current mirror path not replicating the output voltage and provides additional current or voltage necessary to keep the current source circuit operational.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a current source transistor configured as a current source for an output node of an amplifier; a second transistor configured to generate a bias for the current source transistor, wherein the second transistor and the current source transistor are arranged in a current mirror; a current source configured to provide current to a first node, wherein the first node is electrically connected to at least a first path and a second path, wherein the first path includes the second transistor; and a replica circuit configured to replicate conditions of an output circuit, wherein the output circuit includes the current source transistor, wherein the second path includes the replica circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for outputting voltage comprising:
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sinking current from an output node of an amplifier with a current source transistor; generating a bias for the current source transistor with a second transistor, wherein the second transistor and the current source transistor are arranged in a current mirror; providing current to a first node with a current source, wherein the first node is electrically connected to at least a first path and a second path, wherein the first path includes the second transistor; and replicating conditions of an output circuit, wherein the output circuit includes the current source transistor, wherein the second path includes the replica circuit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20)
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17. An apparatus comprising:
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a means for sourcing current to an output node of an amplifier with a current source device; a means for generating a bias for the current source device with a second device, wherein the second device and the current source device are arranged in a current mirror; a means for providing current to a first node with a current source, wherein the first node is electrically connected to at least a first path and a second path, wherein the first path includes the second device; and a means for replicating conditions of an output circuit, wherein the output circuit includes the current source device, wherein the second path includes the replica circuit.
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Specification