A combination amplifier can include a “main amplifier circuit” for signal amplification, and a matching “compensation amplifier circuit” to monitor distortion in the main amplifier output signal. The compensation amplifier circuit provides a compensation signal to the main amplifier circuit to compensate for and servo out distortion therein. The compensation amplifier circuit includes a passive input network and an amplifier. The passive input network can connect to both the input and output nodes of the main amplifier circuit such that the input and output signals cancel within the passive input network, leaving only the low level distortion component introduced in the main amplifier. Thus, the compensation amplifier is then only operating on the low-level distortion introduced in the main amplifier to generate the compensation signal. Because the compensation amplifier is then only operating on the very low distortion signal, any distortion it introduces into the compensation signal is negligible.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to an electrical amplifier comprising a differential preamplifier having a first output port and a second output port; and a downstream amplifier stage having a first output unit and a second output unit; wherein the first output unit is connected to the first output port of the differential preamplifier and the second output unit is connected to the second output port of the differential preamplifier; and wherein a negative impedance converter is electrically located in at least one of said differential preamplifier and said downstream amplifier stage.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to an electrical amplifier comprising a differential preamplifier having a first output port and a second output port; and a downstream amplifier stage having a first output unit and a second output unit; wherein the first output unit is connected to the first output port of the differential preamplifier and the second output unit is connected to the second output port of the differential preamplifier; and wherein a negative impedance converter is electrically located in at least one of said differential preamplifier and said downstream amplifier stage.

A signal processing circuit that achieves functionality similar to that of a switched capacitor circuit without the necessity a clock. The circuit compensates for finite open loop gain and for offset voltages in the components, allowing the circuit to calculate the result of a problem represented by the circuit essentially immediately upon the presentation of a new input or set of inputs. After the circuit is initialized to remove gain, an input is applied to the circuit, and propagates through the network and affects the state of amplifier outputs; the propagation from the input through capacitors to the ultimate output(s) of the circuit is the analog calculation taking place. The calculation is not mediated by a clock, but rather the calculation corresponds to the circuit's one-time response to the application of the inputs. Using these techniques complex signal processing circuits and even analog neural networks may be constructed.

A signal processing circuit that achieves functionality similar to that of a switched capacitor circuit without the necessity a clock. The circuit compensates for finite open loop gain and for offset voltages in the components, allowing the circuit to calculate the result of a problem represented by the circuit essentially immediately upon the presentation of a new input or set of inputs. After the circuit is initialized to remove gain, an input is applied to the circuit, and propagates through the network and affects the state of amplifier outputs; the propagation from the input through capacitors to the ultimate output(s) of the circuit is the analog calculation taking place. The calculation is not mediated by a clock, but rather the calculation corresponds to the circuit's one-time response to the application of the inputs. Using these techniques complex signal processing circuits and even analog neural networks may be constructed.

An impedance converter circuit achieves negative capacitance and/or negative inductance for radio frequency (RF) front end impedance matching for low noise amplifier (LNA) designs. The impedance converter circuit includes a first transistor coupled to a first RF input at a source of the first transistor. The impedance converter circuit also includes a second transistor coupled to a second RF input at a source of the second transistor. The second transistor is cross-coupled to the first transistor to form a cross-coupled pair of transistors. The cross-coupled pair of transistors is configured to generate a negative capacitance or a negative inductance based on a load impedance coupled to a drain of the first transistor and a drain of the second transistor.

A programmable a fully-differential programmable gain amplifier for reducing distortion, switching transients and interference, and improving bandwidth. In one embodiment, the amplifier includes a programmable gain module, an amplifier coupled to the current mode outputs and a data latch circuit of the programmable gain module, the amplifier configured to apply common mode voltage to the data latch circuit, and a current-to-voltage converter. In one embodiment, the fully-differential programmable gain amplifier controls distortion and switching interference during amplification by sensing common mode signals to produce an error signal, and applying the resulting error signal to the programmable gain module for multiplying digital to analog conversion. Components of the fully-differential programmable gain amplifier provide compensation of distortion caused by nonlinearity of device switches and switch resistance, and can include a floating supply, galvanic isolation of control signals and a common mode voltage controller.

A buffer amplifier comprises a source follower and a feedback amplifier. The feedback amplifier may be configured to control a drain current of the source follower to remain substantially constant independent of a load.

A programmable a fully-differential programmable gain amplifier for reducing distortion, switching transients and interference, and improving bandwidth. In one embodiment, the amplifier includes a programmable gain module, an amplifier coupled to the current mode outputs and a data latch circuit of the programmable gain module, the amplifier configured to apply common mode voltage to the data latch circuit, and a current-to-voltage converter. In one embodiment, the fully-differential programmable gain amplifier controls distortion and switching interference during amplification by sensing common mode signals to produce an error signal, and applying the resulting error signal to the programmable gain module for multiplying digital to analog conversion. Components of the fully-differential programmable gain amplifier provide compensation of distortion caused by nonlinearity of device switches and switch resistance, and can include a floating supply, galvanic isolation of control signals and a common mode voltage controller.

A buffer amplifier comprises a source follower and a feedback amplifier. The feedback amplifier may be configured to control a drain current of the source follower to remain substantially constant independent of a load.