ACTIVE CIRCUITS WITH LOAD LINEARIZATION

摘要

Active circuits with active loads linearized via distortion cancellation are described. In one design, an apparatus includes a first stage and a load stage. For an amplifier, the first stage amplifies an input signal and provides an output signal having a larger signal level. For a mixer, the first stage mixes an input signal with an LO signal and provides an output signal. The load stage provides an active load for the first stage and is linearized by canceling distortion generated by the active load. In one design, the load stage includes a first transistor that provides the active load and generates distortion due to its nonlinearity. The load stage further includes at least one transistor that generates a replica of the distortion from the first transistor. The distortion replica is used to cancel the distortion from the first transistor. The first stage may also be linearized with distortion cancellation.