Amplifier with improved output voltage swing

摘要

An amplifier comprising an amplifier stage having an input terminal (1) for receiving an input signal; an output terminal (2) for supplying an output signal; an amplifier transistor (4); and a load (5). The load (5) comprises a first (T1) and a second (T2) field effect transistor. The current-voltage characteristic of the load (5) is similar to the diode characteristic of a conventional load formed by means of a diode-connected field effect transistor. The threshold voltage of the load (5) comprising the first (T1) and the second (T2) field effect transistor is much smaller than the threshold voltage of a conventional diode, which results in an improved output voltage swing of the amplifier stage.