Patent ID: 7777574

Claim:
An amplifier comprising: a plurality of voltage rails; a plurality of current sources, wherein each current source is actuated by a first signal; an input stage that is adapted to receive a plurality of input voltages, wherein the input stage includes at least one of the plurality of current sources; an intermediate circuit having at least one of the plurality of current sources, wherein at least a portion of the intermediate circuit is actuated by a second signal; an output stage that is coupled to the intermediate circuit at a plurality of input nodes; and a clamp that is coupled to the input nodes, wherein the clamp is actuated by a third signal, and wherein the clamp couples each of the input nodes to at least one of the plurality of voltage rails when actuated, and wherein the first signal actuates the plurality of current sources prior to the third signal de-actuating the clamp when the amplifier is activated, and wherein the third signal de-actuates the clamp prior to the second signal actuating at least a portion of the intermediate circuit when the amplifier is activated.