Patent ID: 8085093
Filing Date: 2011-12-27
Classification: H03F

Abstract:
1. A transconductance input stage for an amplifier comprising: a pair of transistors, each of the transistors coupled to one of a pair of input differential voltage signals and that each provide a current signal to a respective output terminal of the input stage in response to the input differential voltage signals, a current source, also coupled to the pair of input differential voltage signals, to generate a tail current modulated by the input differential voltage signals, the tail current generated at a minimum level when the input differential voltage signals are balanced, the tail current generated at higher levels when the input differential voltage signals become unbalanced and having a substantially continuous and differentiable relationship as the input differential voltage signals become unbalanced in comparison to when the input differential voltage signals are balanced, wherein the tail current is input to the pair of transistors and output as a differential current signal by the respective transistors.