Abstract:
A circuit (200) includes a four-terminal voltage controlled voltage source (VCVS, 201) coupled to a three-terminal amplifying device (203), whereby when an input signal is applied to a negative input terminal (205) of the VCVS (201), the circuit (200) operates in a manner substantially complementary to the amplifying device (203). Such a circuit (200) may be considered a "virtual" three-terminal amplifying device and may be beneficially coupled in a complementary manner with another three-terminal amplifying device that is substantially identical to the three-terminal amplifying device (203) included in the circuit (200) to form a composite amplifier circuit (e.g., 407) that achieves intended performance over varying operating conditions.
Abstract:
Structures and methods for high speed signaling over single sided/ended current sense amplifiers are provided. The present invention introduces hysteresis within a pseudo-differential current sense amplifier and provides it with adjustable thresholds for the detection of valid signals coupled with the rejection of small noise current transients or reflections and ringing when using low impedance interconnections and/or current signaling. The circuit provides a fast response time in a low power CMOS environment. A first embodiment includes a current sense amplifier having a first amplifier and a second amplifier which are electrically coupled. Each amplifier includes a first transistor of a first conductivity type and a second transistor of a second conductivity type, where the first and second transistors are coupled at a drain region. A single signal input node is coupled to a source region of the first transistor of the first amplifier and receives a signal input current. A first signal output node coupled to the drain region of the first and the second transistor in the second amplifier. The first signal output node is further coupled to a gate of a third transistor. A second signal output node is coupled to the drain region of the first and the second transistor in the first amplifier, and is further coupled to a gate of a fourth transistor. In one embodiment, a current mirror is coupled to the signal input node and the source regions of the first transistors in the first and the second amplifiers. Integrated circuits, electrical systems, methods of operation and methods of forming the novel current sense amplifier are similarly included. The novel pseudo differential current sense amplifier circuit facilitates the introduction of hysteresis which provides the added ability to differentiate true signals from noise transients, and conserves circuit design space by allowing for single sided/ended sensing.
Abstract:
A low voltage current mirror circuit comprises a plurality of circuit elements that are cascaded to form a cascade type current mirror circuit. Means for causing a predetermined voltage drop is provided to connect nodes between the control electrodes of the circuit elements. Such a simple configuration allows input and output voltages to be lower.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a conversion circuit (200) that converts a single-ended signal to differential signals. According to an embodiment of the present invention, crosstalk is avoided by insuring that none of the transistors (214, 208, 206) in the conversion circuit (200) are directly connected to ground (210). By not having a transistor (214, 208, 206) directly connected to ground (210), ground current is avoided and crosstalk associated with ground current is eliminated.
Abstract:
A disk-like magnetic storage medium (hard disk plate) is given a circuit ground potential. One end of an MR (magnetoresistance effect) head is given the above circuit ground potential to output a read signal from the other end. The other end of the MR head is supplied with a predetermined bias current or bias voltage. An AC signal that has passed through a capacitor at the other end of the MR head and a DC bias voltage that has passed through a resistive element having a large enough impedance relative to the capacitor are applied to the gate of an amplifier MOSFET. A load circuit is provided to the drain of the amplifier MOSFET to produce an output signal from the drain.
Abstract:
An amplifier (700) comprises a common emitter stage coupled to a first (720) and a second (725) input, a common base stage coupled to the common emitter stage and to a first (730) and a second (735) output, and a cancellation path coupled to the common emitter stage and the common base stage and to the first and second outputs. The cancellation path generates a first cancellation signal that is 180 degrees out of phase with a first leakage signal at the first output and a second cancellation signal that is 180 degrees out of phase with a second leakage signal at the second output. The cancellation path comprises a first cancellation transistor (M6) coupled to the common emitter stage and the common base stage and to the first output and a second cancellation transistor (M5) coupled to the common emitter stage and the common base stage and to the second output.