Patent ID: 8736310

Claim:
A comparator, comprising: a first stage configured to receive first and second input signals and to produce first and second output signals; a second stage coupled to the first stage to receive the first and second output signals at first and second input terminals of the second stage, the second stage comprising a node at a supply voltage and at least one circuit element connected between the node and the first and second input terminals of the second stage; a first switch coupled between the first stage and the first input terminal of the second stage; and a second switch coupled between the first stage and the second input terminal of the second stage, wherein electrical characteristics of the at least one circuit element are such that, during operation of the comparator, a voltage drop across the at least one circuit element is less than 0.6 V and greater than or equal to 0.2 V and a difference between a voltage at the first and second input terminals and the supply voltage is less than 0.2 V and greater than or equal to 0 V, and wherein the at least one circuit element of the second stage comprises: a first current source coupled between the first input terminal of the second stage and the supply voltage, and a second current source coupled between the second input terminal of the second stage and the supply voltage.