Salvatore Pennisi

CMOS Current Amplifiers presents design strategies for high performance current amplifiers based on CMOS technology. After an introduction to various architectures of operational amplifiers, the operating principles of the current amplifier are outlined. This book provides the reader with simple and compact design equations for use in a pencil and paper design and the following simulation step. Chapter 1 introduces the general aspects of current amplifiers. After a preliminary classification of operational amplifiers, ideal blocks and models are discussed for different architectures and a first high-level comparison is made between traditional amplifiers and current amplifiers. Analysis and examples of basic circuits, as well as signal processing applications involving current amplifiers, are also given. Non-idealities and second- order effects causing limitations in performance are then discussed and evaluated. Chapter 2 focuses on low-drive current amplifiers. Several design examples for current conveyors and class A current amplifiers are discussed in detail and design equations are presented for the main performance parameters, which allows a good trade-off between requirements. High-performance solutions for high bandwidth and low voltage capability are also considered, and, finally, current comparators with progressively enhanced performance are reported and analyzed critically. Chapter 3 deals with current amplifiers for off-chip loads. Several class AB current-mode output stages are discussed and design strategies which improve performance are presented. A detailed analysis of non-ideal effect is carried out with particular emphasis on linearity. Design examples are given and circuit arrangements for further developments are included. CMOS Current Amplifiers serves as an excellent reference for researchers and professionals of analog IC design, and may also be used as an advanced text on current amplifiers.

Feedback Amplifiers: Theory and Design deals with feedback and feedback amplifiers. Although this topic has been extensively investigated over the years, theoretically exact and at the same time sufficiently simple and well organized material is not, to the authors' judgement, present today in literature. After describing the fundamental properties of feedback, the book illustrates techniques of analysis for greater insight into feedback amplifiers and design strategies to optimise their performance. The book has two main targets 1) a tutorial purpose since its aim is first to introduce and then to bring the reader to in-depth analysis and design of feedback circuits; 2) to present original material on the topic of feedback circuits. In particular, a new comprehensive approach for the frequency compensation of two-stage and three-stage amplifiers is adopted, and insightful new results are reported for harmonic distortion in the frequency domain.

Liquid Crystal Display Drivers deals with Liquid Crystal Displays from the electronic engineering point of view and is the first expressively focused on their driving circuits. After introducing the physical-chemical properties of the LC substances, their evolution and application to LCDs, the book converges to the examination and in-depth explanation of those reliable techniques, architectures, and design solutions amenable to efficiently design drivers for passive-matrix and active-matrix LCDs, both for small size and large size panels. Practical approaches regularly adopted for mass production but also emerging ones are discussed. The topics treated have in many cases general validity and found application also in alternative display technologies (OLEDs, Electrophoretic Displays, etc.).

Liquid Crystal Display Drivers deals with Liquid Crystal Displays from the electronic engineering point of view and is the first expressively focused on their driving circuits. After introducing the physical-chemical properties of the LC substances, their evolution and application to LCDs, the book converges to the examination and in-depth explanation of those reliable techniques, architectures, and design solutions amenable to efficiently design drivers for passive-matrix and active-matrix LCDs, both for small size and large size panels. Practical approaches regularly adopted for mass production but also emerging ones are discussed. The topics treated have in many cases general validity and found application also in alternative display technologies (OLEDs, Electrophoretic Displays, etc.).

Feedback Amplifiers: Theory and Design deals with feedback and feedback amplifiers. Although this topic has been extensively investigated over the years, theoretically exact and at the same time sufficiently simple and well organized material is not, to the authors' judgement, present today in literature. After describing the fundamental properties of feedback, the book illustrates techniques of analysis for greater insight into feedback amplifiers and design strategies to optimise their performance. The book has two main targets 1) a tutorial purpose since its aim is first to introduce and then to bring the reader to in-depth analysis and design of feedback circuits; 2) to present original material on the topic of feedback circuits. In particular, a new comprehensive approach for the frequency compensation of two-stage and three-stage amplifiers is adopted, and insightful new results are reported for harmonic distortion in the frequency domain.

CMOS Current Amplifiers presents design strategies for high performance current amplifiers based on CMOS technology. After an introduction to various architectures of operational amplifiers, the operating principles of the current amplifier are outlined. This book provides the reader with simple and compact design equations for use in a pencil and paper design and the following simulation step. Chapter 1 introduces the general aspects of current amplifiers. After a preliminary classification of operational amplifiers, ideal blocks and models are discussed for different architectures and a first high-level comparison is made between traditional amplifiers and current amplifiers. Analysis and examples of basic circuits, as well as signal processing applications involving current amplifiers, are also given. Non-idealities and second- order effects causing limitations in performance are then discussed and evaluated. Chapter 2 focuses on low-drive current amplifiers. Several design examples for current conveyors and class A current amplifiers are discussed in detail and design equations are presented for the main performance parameters, which allows a good trade-off between requirements. High-performance solutions for high bandwidth and low voltage capability are also considered, and, finally, current comparators with progressively enhanced performance are reported and analyzed critically. Chapter 3 deals with current amplifiers for off-chip loads. Several class AB current-mode output stages are discussed and design strategies which improve performance are presented. A detailed analysis of non-ideal effect is carried out with particular emphasis on linearity. Design examples are given and circuit arrangements for further developments are included. CMOS Current Amplifiers serves as an excellent reference for researchers and professionals of analog IC design, and may also be used as an advanced text on current amplifiers.