Folded-cascode amplifier stage

摘要

An amplifier circuit that offers high bandwidth operation and a high slew rate is disclosed. The amplifier circuit may also have an input voltage swing down to the negative rail which is particularly suitable for low voltage applications having a single power source. In one embodiment, the amplifier circuit amplifies a difference voltage between first and second input voltages to produce an output voltage, and includes: an analog voltage-to-current converter for receiving the first and second input voltages and producing complementary current signals; and a complementary mirror output stage coupled to receive the complementary current signals at respective mirror circuits. Each of the respective mirror circuits includes a pair of base-coupled transistors having their emitters respectively connected to supply potentials through resistors, and the complementary current signals from the analog voltage-to-current converter are respectively connected to at least one of the emitter of the base-coupled transistors for the respective mirror circuits.