Low power dual power supply high resolution comparator

Details Low power dual power supply high resolution comparator Low power dual power supply high resolution comparator

1993-04-30

1994-12-20

Stephan, Steven L.

Miscellaneous active electrical nonlinear devices, circuits, and

Specific signal discriminating without subsequent control

By amplitude

330253, 330261, 327 63, H03K 524

Patent

active

053748590

ABSTRACT:
A low power comparator is provided in which a wide common mode range, high resolution and near continuous operation is achieved. The comparator of the present invention employs a wide common mode range with true one millivolt resolution. Furthermore, the comparator is a low power device rendering it readily adaptable to today's portable low power devices. An innovative three stage comparator is described. The first stage receives the two input signals to be compared. A number of innovations are utilized to minimize the offsets and therefore errors in the comparison measurements. More particularly, a transmission gate is provided at the inputs to balance the differential amplifiers employed in the first stage. The balance of the differential output nodes permits fast settling time of the comparator and minimizes voltage stresses which can create offsets. Furthermore, the design incorporates fully symmetric loads and is interdigital for optimum matching and minimum size. The second stage circuit utilizes a unique cascode circuit which provides very high gain thereby enabling the comparator to function at a higher resolution. Furthermore, a gain loop is created in the second stage such that the output swing is within 0.2 of a volt of the voltage rail, thereby realizing the benefit of stack cascoded devices with the advantage of optimal swing at low voltage operation. The third stage modifies the two signal differential output of the second stage to a single signal output of the circuit.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4965468 (1990-10-01), Nichollini et al.
patent: 5047666 (1991-09-01), Astegher et al.
patent: 5068550 (1991-11-01), Barre
patent: 5115154 (1992-05-01), Terado
patent: 5285168 (1994-02-01), Tomatsu et al.

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