Single supply operational amplifier and charge pump device

• US 5,289,137 A
• Filed: 05/25/1993
• Issued: 02/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Nodar, Joseph, Johnson, Douglas R., Neale, Todd M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOTTOLA, STEVEN J
• Application Number:
  US08/067,404
• Time in Patent Office: 273 Days
• Field of Search: 330/252, 330/253, 330/261, 330/300, 330/301, 330/258, 330/296, 330/297, 307/296.1
• US Class Current: 330/296
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 3/205 Substrate bias-voltage generators for static stores G11C5/146
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 3/265 using bipolar transistors only
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 3/267 using both bipolar and field-effect technology

Abstract

An integrated circuit device (10) has an operational amplifier (12) and a charge pump (14) for creating a negative voltage level -Vcc. The operational amplifier (12) preferably has various sub-components. In particular, a bias generator (36) is included and connected to a neutral voltage level (31) isolated from the negative voltage level and providing current for operational amplifier (12). An input stage (38) has inputs (16 and 18) for receiving two input signals and maintains the input signals in a balanced signal path. A conversion circuitry (40) receives the input signals and creates a single differential signal eliminating noise received in the input stage (38). An output stage prepares this single differential signal for transfer out of the operational amplifier (12).

Claims

1. An operation amplifier comprising:

a bias generator operable to couple to a neutral voltage level providing current bias said neutral voltage level being between a positive voltage level and a negative level, said bias generator being isolated from the negative voltage level;

an input stage coupled to said bias generator and operable to receive two input signals, said input stage comprising a balanced signal path to isolate noise found on said input signals;

a conversion circuit coupled to said balanced signal path for converting said input signals into a single differential signal; and

an output stage coupled to said conversion circuit for processing sad single differential signal into an output signal, said output signal operable to swing from substantially near the positive voltage level to substantially near the negative voltage level in response to a variation of said input signals;

wherein said output stage comprises a P-N-P type transistor to provide linearity and low distortion on said output signal.

2. The operational amplifier of claim 1 wherein said P-N-P transistor is coupled to said output signal.

3. The operational amplifier of claim 2 wherein an emitter of said P-N-P transistor is coupled to said output signal.

4. The operational amplifier of claim 3 wherein a resistor is coupled between said emitter and said output signal. PG,24

5. The operation amplifier of claim 1 wherein the operational amplifier is formed in a substrate and further comprising transistor device fabricated in a semiconductor tank within said substrate said tank isolating said transistor devices from said substrate and from the negative voltage level.

6. The operational amplifier of claim 1 wherein said input stage comprises junction field effect transistors for receiving said input signals.

7. The operational amplifier of claim 1 wherein said output signal (12) is operable to drive highly capacitive loads.

8. An operational amplifier operable to receive a positive voltage level, a neutral voltage level, and a negative voltage level, comprising:

a bias generator operable to couple between the positive voltage level and the neutral voltage level and isolated from the negative voltage level;

an input stage coupled to said bias generator and operable to receive two input signals, said input stage comprising a balanced signal path to isolate noise found on said input signals;

a conversion circuit coupled to said balanced signal path for converting said input signals into a single differential signal; and

an output stage coupled to said conversion circuit for processing said single differential signal into an output signal, said output stage comprising a P-N-P type transistor coupled to said output signal such that said output signal is operable to swing from substantially near the positive voltage level to substantially near the negative voltage level in response to a variation of said input signals and operable to drive highly capacitive loads.

9. The operational amplifier of claim 8 wherein said input stage comprises junction field effect transistors for receiving said input signals.

10. The operational amplifier of claim 9 wherein the operational amplifier comprises components isolated from the negative voltage level.

11. An integrated circuit device having a first input for receiving a first voltage level and a second input for receiving a neutral second voltage, comprising:

an operational amplifier; and

a charge pump coupled to said operational amplifier and operable to generate a third voltage level in response to the first voltage level, said operational amplifier having a bias generator isolated from said third voltage level, said charge pump further comprising a current bias generator, a voltage bias generator coupled to said current bias generator, and oscillator coupled to said voltage bias generator for generating a square wave signal, and a plurality of power switches coupled to said oscillator, said square wave signal operable to drive said plurality of power switches into off and on state.

12. The device of claim 11 and further comprising two external capacitors coupled to said power switches and operable to charge and discharge to generate said third voltage level.

13. The device of claim 11 and further comprising a disable circuit coupled to said oscillator for temporarily disabling said oscillator.

14. The device of claim 11 and further comprising a current mirror isolating said oscillator from said power switches.

15. The device of claim 11 and further comprising a switch driver to control operation of said power switches.

16. The device of claim 11 wherein said first voltage level comprises a positive supply voltage.

17. The device of claim 11 wherein said first voltage level comprises a positive voltage level and said third voltage level comprises a negative voltage level, and said operational amplifier is operable to receive the positive voltage level, the neutral voltage level, and the negative voltage level, and comprises:

a bias generator coupled to the neutral voltage level for providing current bias;

an input stage coupled to said bias generator and operable to receive two input signals, said input stage comprising a balanced signal path to isolate noise found on said input signals;

a conversion circuit coupled to said balanced signal path for converting said input signals into a single differential signal; and

an output stage coupled to said conversion circuit for processing said single differential signal into an output signal, said output signal operable to swing from substantially near the positive voltage level to substantially near the negative voltage level in response to a variation of said input signals.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein said output stage comprises a P-N-P type transistor to provide linearity and low distortion on said output signal.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein said bias generator is isolated from the negative voltage level.

20. The device of claim 17 wherein the operational amplifier comprises components isolated from the negative voltage level.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the operational amplifier is formed on a substrate and further comprising transistor devices isolated from said substrate.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein said transistors are fabricated on a semiconductor tank within said substrate, said tank isolating said transistors from said substrate.

23. The device of claim 17 wherein said input stage comprises junction field effect transistors for receiving said input signals.

24. The device of claim 17 wherein said output signal is operable to drive highly capacitive loads.