Patent ID: 7629848

Claim:
An operational amplifier operable to provide an extended Common Mode Input Range (CMIR), the operational amplifier comprising: an input stage coupled to the CMFB circuit and a replica input stage, wherein the input stage is operable to receive a feedback signal; a common mode feedback (CMFB) circuit operable to compare a Common Mode voltage (VCM) to a Common Mode (CM) reference voltage and provide the feedback signal; a current mirror coupled to the CMFB circuit and the input stage, wherein the current mirror is operable to mirror currents within the input stage as inputs to the CMFB circuit; a replica input stage coupled to the CMFB circuit operable to compare an input common mode (INCM) voltage to a Common Mode reference voltage, wherein a current within the CMFB circuit is a function of the INCM voltage; and an output stage coupled to the input stage.