Patent ID: 6630898
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
An apparatus that provides a quantized differential output signal in response to a differential input signal, comprising:a differential amplifier that includes a differential input that is coupled to the differential input signal, and a first and second output that are arranged to provide a differential intermediate signal in response to the differential input signal during an amplification phase, wherein the amplification phase is activated after an initialization phase is complete; an auto-zero circuit that is coupled to the first and second output of the differential amplifier and is isolated from the differential input of the differential amplifier, wherein the auto-zero circuit is arranged to initialize the differential intermediate signal during an initialization phase such that the differential intermediate signal is substantially zero differentially after the initialization phase is complete; and a positive gain circuit that is coupled to the differential output of the differential amplifier, wherein the positive gain circuit is arranged to increase the gain of the differential intermediate signal using positive feedback during a decision phase such that the differential intermediate signal saturates to a differential logic level, wherein the decision phase is activated after the amplification phase is complete and the quantized differential output signal is associated with the differential intermediate signal at the end of the decision phase.