An impedance measurement circuit for determining a sense current of a guard-sense capacitive sensor operated in loading mode. The circuit includes a periodic signal voltage source for providing a periodic measurement voltage, a sense current measurement circuit, a differential amplifier that is configured to sense a complex voltage difference between the sense electrode and the guard electrode, a demodulator for obtaining, with reference to the periodic measurement voltage, an in-phase component and a quadrature component of the sensed complex voltage difference, and control loops for receiving the in-phase component and the quadrature component, respectively. An output signal of the first control loop and an output signal of the second control loop are usable to form a complex voltage that serves as a complex reference voltage for the sense current measurement circuit.

In a sensor reader, an IC chip has a function for amplifying and outputting a sensor signal from each sensor element included in a sensor array, and includes a plurality of channel amplifiers connected each of the sensor elements. When an output switch is closed and the IC chip is in the outputting state, channel switches operate sequentially, and sensor amplification signals are output sequentially from the channel amplifiers. When the output switch is open and the IC chip is in the non-outputting state, a bias current of an operational amplifier of the channel amplifier is decreased, the IC chip is set to a low power consumption state, and gain of the operational amplifier is decreased.

In a sensor reader, an IC chip has a function for amplifying and outputting a sensor signal from each sensor element included in a sensor array, and includes a plurality of channel amplifiers connected each of the sensor elements. When an output switch is closed and the IC chip is in the outputting state, channel switches operate sequentially, and sensor amplification signals are output sequentially from the channel amplifiers. When the output switch is open and the IC chip is in the non-outputting state, a bias current of an operational amplifier of the channel amplifier is decreased, the IC chip is set to a low power consumption state, and gain of the operational amplifier is decreased.

A drive circuit for a serial communications system is provided. The drive circuit may include a mode controller, a pre-drive circuit, and a main drive circuit. The main drive circuit includes multiple mode control switches and at least one pair of differential switches. The mode controller is configured to: generate a mode control signal, and transmit the mode control signal to the main drive circuit. The pre-drive circuit is configured to: convert a differential digital signal into a differential control signal, and transmit the differential control signal to the main drive circuit. The main drive circuit controls on/off states of the multiple mode control switches according to the mode control signal, and works in corresponding working modes. The drive circuit controls the states of the mode control switches in the main drive circuit, so that the main drive circuit works in different working modes.

An operational amplifier and a differential amplifying circuit thereof. The differential amplifying circuit receives a differential input signal and outputs a differential output signal. The differential amplifying circuit includes an output port that has a first terminal and a second terminal, the differential output signal being outputted via the first and second terminals; a first transistor pair receiving the differential input signal via two first ends and coupling to the first and second terminals respectively via two second ends; a second transistor pair receiving the differential input signal via two first ends and coupling to the first and second terminals respectively via two second ends; and a third transistor pair receiving a control signal via two first ends and coupling to the first and second terminals respectively via two second ends. The control signal controls the third transistor pair to switch on or off and/or controls the current flowing therethrough.

An audio amplifier, including: at least a two stage amplifier configured to receive an input signal and output an amplified output signal, the at least a two stage amplifier including at least one stage amplifier and an output stage amplifier; and an auxiliary stage amplifier having an input coupled to an output of the at least one stage amplifier and an input of the output stage amplifier.