An operational amplifier includes: a first amplifier stage, configured to generate first output voltages according to first input voltages; a second amplifier stage, configured to generate second output voltages according to the first output voltages; a second output stage circuit, configured to replicate an equivalent or a scaled-down version of the first output stage circuit; a first common-mode feedback circuit, configured to keep an output common-mode voltage of the second output stage circuit at a predetermined value; a logic loop circuit configured to, when the operational amplifier operates in a direct current calibration phase, adjust a difference between the first output voltages; a bias circuit, configured to generate a voltage close to a common-mode voltage of the first output voltages produced after the operational amplifier is turned on, the voltage serving as a reference voltage of a second common-mode feedback circuit.

An operational amplifier includes: a first amplifier stage, configured to generate first output voltages according to first input voltages; a second amplifier stage, configured to generate second output voltages according to the first output voltages; a second output stage circuit, configured to replicate an equivalent or a scaled-down version of the first output stage circuit; a first common-mode feedback circuit, configured to keep an output common-mode voltage of the second output stage circuit at a predetermined value; a logic loop circuit configured to, when the operational amplifier operates in a direct current calibration phase, adjust a difference between the first output voltages; a bias circuit, configured to generate a voltage close to a common mode voltage of the first output voltages produced after the operational amplifier is turned on, the voltage serving as a reference voltage of a second common-mode feedback circuit.

An apparatus is disclosed for providing a common mode voltage to the inputs of a first differential amplifier which outputs the difference between two signals. A second differential amplifier receives the output of the first differential amplifier, and the output of the second differential amplifier is fed back to the inputs of the first differential amplifier as a common mode voltage. Since both inputs of the first differential amplifier receive the fed back common mode voltage, the first differential amplifier still outputs only the difference in the two signals, but the presence of the common mode voltage allows the first differential amplifier to operate with lower noise if the voltage levels of the inputs to the first differential amplifier vary. The second differential amplifier may be of significantly lower quality and cost than the first differential amplifier, without affecting the performance of the first differential amplifier.

A transconductance-transimpedance (TAS-TIA) amplifier includes a TAS amplifier, a TIA amplifier, and a first common-mode feedback (CMFB) circuit. The TIA amplifier includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor is coupled between a first TIA output node and a reference voltage. The second transistor is coupled between a second TIA output node and the reference voltage. The first CMFB circuit has a first operational amplifier, a first capacitor, and a first resistor. The first operational amplifier has a first input node for receiving a TIA output common-mode voltage, a second input node, and a first output node coupled to control terminals of the first and second transistors. The first capacitor is coupled between the first output node and the second input node of the first operational amplifier. The first resistor is coupled between the second input node of the first operational amplifier and a reference common-mode voltage.