In at least one embodiment, a differential amplifier including first and second current transfer systems, a current difference producing system, and a feedback network circuit is provided. The first current transfer system generates a first differential current signal. The second current transfer system generates a second differential current signal. The current difference producing system receives the first differential current signal and the second differential current signal and generates a voltage difference signal that is indicative of a difference between a first current signal and a second current signal. The feedback network circuit converts the voltage difference signal into at least two converted current signals and provides the at least two converted current signals to one of the first and second current transfer systems or the current difference producing system to minimize the difference between the first current signal and the second current signal.

The physically unclonable function device (DIS) comprises a set of MOS transistors (TR1i, TR2j) mounted in diodes having a random distribution of respective threshold voltages, and comprising N first transistors and at least one second transistor. At least one output node of the function is capable of delivering a signal, the level of which depends on the comparison between a current obtained using a current circulating in the at least one second transistor and a current obtained using a reference current that is equal or substantially equal to the average of the currents circulating in the N first transistors. A first means (FM1i) is configured to impose on each first transistor a respective fixed gate voltage regardless of the value of the current circulating in the first transistor, and a second means (SM2j) is configured to impose a respective fixed gate voltage on each second transistor regardless of the value of the current circulating in the second transistor.

For broadband data communication, a data signal voltage at a signal input node can be converted to an output signal current at a signal output node. A first transistor device can contribute to the output signal current, with its transconductance or other gain reduced to accommodate larger signal swings, at which a second transistor can turn on and increase an effective resistance value of at least a portion of a gain degeneration resistor associated with the first transistor device. The second transistor can also contribute to the output signal current to help maintain or enhance an overall gain between the signal input node and the signal output node. Multiple secondary stages, push-pull arrangements, buffer amplifier configurations (which may or may not contribute to current in the gain degeneration resistor), input and output transformers, negative feedback to help reduce component variability, and frequency modification circuits or components are also described.

The physically unclonable function device (DIS) comprises a set of MOS transistors (TR1i, TR2j) mounted in diodes having a random distribution of respective threshold voltages, and comprising N first transistors and at least one second transistor. At least one output node of the function is capable of delivering a signal, the level of which depends on the comparison between a current obtained using a current circulating in the at least one second transistor and a current obtained using a reference current that is equal or substantially equal to the average of the currents circulating in the N first transistors. A first means (FM1i) is configured to impose on each first transistor a respective fixed gate voltage regardless of the value of the current circulating in the first transistor, and a second means (SM2j) is configured to impose a respective fixed gate voltage on each second transistor regardless of the value of the current circulating in the second transistor.

A differential residue amplifier fits between Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) stages. Switched-Capacitor Common-Mode Feedback circuits determine voltage shifts. An AC-coupled input network uses switched capacitors to shift upward voltages of the differential inputs to the residue amplifier to apply to an upper pair of p-channel differential transistors with sources connected to the power supply. The AC-coupled input network also shifts downward in voltage the differential inputs to the residue amplifier to apply to a lower pair of n-channel differential transistors with grounded sources. The drains of the p-channel differential transistors connect to differential outputs through p-channel cascode transistors. N-channel cascode transistors connect the drains of the n-channel differential transistors to the differential outputs. The drains of differential transistors can be input to differential amplifiers to drive the gates of the cascode transistors for gain boosting. No tail current is used, allowing for wider output-voltage swings with low supply voltages.

A physically unclonable function device includes a set of diode-connected MOS transistors having a random distribution of respective threshold voltages. A first circuit is configured to impose, on each first transistor, a fixed respective gate voltage regardless of the value of a current flowing in this first transistor. A second circuit is configured to impose, on each second transistor, a fixed respective gate voltage regardless of the value of a current flowing in this second transistor. A current mirror stage is coupled between the first circuit and the second circuit and is configured to deliver the reference current from a sum of the currents flowing in the first transistors. A comparator is configured to deliver a signal whose level depends on a comparison between a first current obtained from a reference current based on the first transistors and a second current of the second transistors.

A physically unclonable function device includes a set of diode-connected MOS transistors having a random distribution of respective threshold voltages. A first circuit is configured to impose, on each first transistor, a fixed respective gate voltage regardless of the value of a current flowing in this first transistor. A second circuit is configured to impose, on each second transistor, a fixed respective gate voltage regardless of the value of a current flowing in this second transistor. A current mirror stage is coupled between the first circuit and the second circuit and is configured to deliver the reference current from a sum of the currents flowing in the first transistors. A comparator is configured to deliver a signal whose level depends on a comparison between a first current obtained from a reference current based on the first transistors and a second current of the second transistors.

In at least one embodiment, a differential amplifier including first and second current transfer systems, a current difference producing system, and a feedback network circuit is provided. The first current transfer system generates a first differential current signal. The second current transfer system generates a second differential current signal. The current difference producing system receives the first differential current signal and the second differential current signal and generates a voltage difference signal that is indicative of a difference between a first current signal and a second current signal. The feedback network circuit converts the voltage difference signal into at least two converted current signals and provides the at least two converted current signals to one of the first and second current transfer systems or the current difference producing system to minimize the difference between the first current signal and the second current signal.

An amplifier circuit comprises a differential input stage and a differential output stage. The differential input stage includes a first differential input transistor pair coupled to a differential input of the amplifier circuit, and a second differential input transistor pair coupled to the differential input and the differential output stage; a degeneration impedance coupled between first transistors of the first and second differential input transistor pairs and second transistors of the first and second differential input transistor pairs; and a feedback circuit coupled to the first and second differential input transistor pairs and the degeneration impedance, wherein output current is provided from the differential input stage to the differential output stage by the feedback circuit and transition current is provided to the output stage by the second differential input transistor pair.

An amplifier circuit comprises a differential input stage and a differential output stage. The differential input stage includes a first differential input transistor pair coupled to a differential input of the amplifier circuit, and a second differential input transistor pair coupled to the differential input and the differential output stage; a degeneration impedance coupled between first transistors of the first and second differential input transistor pairs and second transistors of the first and second differential input transistor pairs; and a feedback circuit coupled to the first and second differential input transistor pairs and the degeneration impedance, wherein output current is provided from the differential input stage to the differential output stage by the feedback circuit and transition current is provided to the output stage by the second differential input transistor pair.