Analysis and design of a family of low-power class AB operational amplifiers

Abstract

A new class AB output stage is presented which extends a family of recently proposed stages based on current mirrors without requiring extra-compensation capacitances. In-depth circuit analysis also shows the significant advantage of such stages for low-power consumption and leads to the derivation of an optimum design strategy. Experimental realizations are described, in particular a micropower amplifier for cardiac pacemaker application.