Patent ID: 6480038
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: G05F,H03F

Abstract:
A bipolar comparator with an asymmetric differential amplifier stage, comprising:current sources including a first current source and a second current source each having an output; input terminals including a first input terminal for receiving a first input potential and a second input terminal for receiving a second input potential; transistors, including a first transistor and a second transistor each having a control electrode short circuited to one another, a load electrode, and a load path, said load path of said first transistor disposed in series between said first current source and said first input terminal, said load path of said second transistor disposed in series between said second current source and said second input terminal; a supply terminal for receiving a supply potential and connected to said current sources; an output terminal connected between said second current source and said load electrode of said second transistor, an output signal being available for picked up at said output terminal; and a third transistor having a load path connected between said load electrode of said first transistor and ground, said first transistor connected as a diode resulting in a diode-connected first transistor; said first current source generating a first operating current being a multiple of a second operating current generated by said second current source and the multiple corresponds to an effective area ratio of said first and said third transistor with respect to said second transistor.