Within a modulator driver, different blocks are employed, e.g. a buffer, one or more variable gain amplifiers (VGA), and a final driver stage. Each of these blocks has an optimum bias point for best performance; however, interconnecting the blocks requires sharing the DC bias points in their interface, which does not necessarily match the optimum performance bias point of each block.. Accordingly, a first offset feedback loop extending from reference points after a selected one of the blocks to an input of one of the blocks. The first offset feedback loop includes current sources capable of delivering a variable current to the input of the selected block in order to compensate any offset in an amplified differential input electrical signal measured at the reference points. A first bias feedback loop is also provided, including a current sinker for subtracting excess current introduced in the first offset compensation feedback loop.

An operational amplifier 1 comprises transistors Q1 and Q2 forming an input stage, and input resistors R1 and R2 which form a filter together with parasitic capacitors C1 and C2 accompanying the transistors Q1 and Q2. Resistance values R of the resistors R1 and R2 may be set to R=1/(2.Math.fc.Math.C), where C is the capacitance value of each of the parasitic capacitors C1 and C2, and fc is the target cutoff frequency of the filter. The operational amplifier 1 may also include a power supply resistor R0 which forms a filter together with a parasitic capacitor C0 accompanying a power supply line.

An amplifier includes input transconductors that receive an input signal, the input signal having a voltage swing. A supply side current mirror generates a gate voltage as a function of input signal voltage and current sources that provide a bias current of the input transconductors as a function of the gate voltage to maintain a constant bias current across the voltage swing of the input signal. Resistors average source voltages of the transconductance-cancelling transconductors to provide an average source voltage and apply the average source voltage to wells of input devices of the transconductance-cancelling transconductors to reduce back bias effect. The input devices are laid out in a same well and have a common centroid to cancel out process mismatches. A first I-DAC trims an offset of first transconductors, and a second I-DAC trims an offset of second transconductors to attain low offsets across a rail-to-rail input common mode range.

Modern modulator drivers must be capable of delivering a large output voltage into a tens of ohms modulator, while minimizing the amount of distortion added by the driver. The driver should deliver the output voltage without exceeding a maximum distortion while minimizing the DC power consumption. Accordingly, a modulator driver includes a final stage amplifier with auxiliary transistors that turn on when the conventional differential pair of transistors approaches their maximum voltage of the linear region of their transfer function, thereby providing a more linear transfer function, in particular at large input voltages.

An audio amplifier of a BTL (Bridged Tied Load) type, includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, a first output pin connected to an output of the first amplifier, a second output pin connected to an output of the second amplifier, a first monitor pin, a second monitor pin, a current source connected to the first monitor pin and configured to be switched on and off, a switch interposed between the second monitor pin and a fixed voltage line, and a load state determination circuit configured to detect a state of a load based on a potential difference between the first monitor pin and the second monitor pin.

A differential amplifier circuit includes: a control current source supplying a control current; paired bipolar transistors; an a variable resistance circuit including: a series circuit of a first resistor and a second resistor having an identical resistance, the series circuit electrically connected between a first terminal and a second terminal of the variable resistance circuit; a first field effect transistor (FET) having a source and a drain being electrically connected to emitters of the paired bipolar transistors, respectively; and a second FET having a drain, a gate being electrically connected to the drain thereof, the gate of the first FET, and a control terminal of variable resistance circuit, a source being electrically connected to a connection node between the first resistor and the second resistor, wherein the control current source adjusts the control current to allow transconductance of the second FET to be kept constant.

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.

Modern modulator drivers must be capable of delivering a large output voltage into a tens of ohms modulator, while minimizing the amount of distortion added by the driver. The driver should deliver the output voltage without exceeding a maximum distortion while minimizing the DC power consumption. Accordingly, a modulator driver includes a final stage amplifier with auxiliary transistors that turn on when the conventional differential pair of transistors approaches their maximum voltage of the linear region of their transfer function, thereby providing a more linear transfer function, in particular at large input voltages.

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 traveling wave amplifier includes two input-side lines, two output-side lines, and amplification cells. The amplification cells each include a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first transistor including a base connected to the first input terminal and a collector connected to one output-side line, a second transistor including a base connected to the second input terminal and a collector connected to the other output-side line, a current source connected to an emitter of each of the two transistors, a first series circuit connected between the collector of the second transistor and the base of the first transistor and including a capacitor and a resistor, and a second series of circuit connected between the collector of the first transistor and the base of the second transistor and including a capacitor and a resistor.