AMPLIFIER ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR AMPLIFIER ARRANGEMENT WITH A SET CURRENT AT A CONTROL INPUT OF THE AMPLIFIER ARRANGEMENT AS A DEPENDENT ON AN OUTPUT CURRENT OF THE AMPLIFIER ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

Embodiments according to the invention comprise an amplifier arrangement, the amplifier arrangement comprising: an amplifier, the amplifier being configured to be controlled by a voltage at a control input of the amplifier arrangement, and a current adjustment circuit, the current adjustment circuit being configured to adjust a current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement in dependence on an output current of the amplifier arrangement.

Description

Technical FieldEmbodiments according to the invention relate to amplifier arrangements and methods for amplifier arrangements with adjusted currents at the control inputs of the amplifier arrangements as a function of output currents of the amplifier arrangements.Further embodiments according to the invention comprise, address and / or relate to a network having two terminal pairs for high voltage applications or high current applications.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn many cases, technical devices must be tested before being used in their respective target applications. To provide cost effective and reliable test results, automated test equipment (ATE) may be used. Cost and complexity may often increase if devices with high voltages or high currents need to be tested. A major challenge is to provide such voltages and currents with good accuracy. Thus, complex and expensive amplifier designs may often be required.Therefore, it is desirable to obtain a concept for providing high voltages and / or high currents, for example for device testing, which makes a better compromise between complexity, efficiency and cost.This is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims of the present application.Further embodiments according to the invention are defined by the subject matter of the dependent claims of the present application.Summary of the InventionEmbodiments according to the invention comprise an amplifier arrangement, e.g. for use in combination with automatic test equipment, ATE, or for use in an ATE, the amplifier arrangement comprising: an amplifier, e.g. an operational amplifier, e.g. an OP-Ver, wherein the amplifier is configured to be controlled by a voltage at a control input of the amplifier arrangement, and a current adjustment circuit, e.g. being a voltage-current converter or comprising it, wherein the current adjustment circuit is configured to adjust, e.g. adjust, a current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement depending on, e.g. based on, or e.g. using, an output current of the amplifier arrangement, e.g. to provide, e.g. to generate, e.g. to effect.As an example, the current adjustment circuit may be configured to mirror the output current of the amplifier arrangement, e.g. in the form of a current associated with the output current, back to the control input of the amplifier arrangement, for example by being coupled to a control input of the amplifier. Optionally, the current adjustment circuit may be configured to transfer information about the output current of the amplifier (or amplifier arrangement) from a high voltage side of the amplifier (or amplifier arrangement) to a low voltage side of the amplifier (or amplifier arrangement).The inventors have recognized that an input-side functionality of an amplifier arrangement or of an amplifier system can be used to determine information about output signals of the amplifier arrangement. As explained above, the amplifier of the amplifier arrangement can be controlled by the voltage at the control input of the amplifier arrangement. This voltage may be provided, for example, by a module, e.g., a channel module, in order to achieve a specific output voltage.Furthermore, in many applications, functionality for determining the input current, or in other words the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement, may be available, for example provided by the module. The inventors realized that, for example, for voltage controlled amplifiers, the input current of the amplifier arrangement may provide an additional degree of freedom that may be exploited to determine information about the output current of the amplifier arrangement, as the input current may not be required for directly controlling the amplifier.Therefore, the amplifier arrangement according to the invention comprises the current adjustment circuit configured to adjust the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement depending on the output current of the amplifier arrangement. Simply stated, the output current may be mirrored, for example, as a scaled down version from the high voltage side of the amplifier arrangement back to the low voltage side of the amplifier arrangement, such that available measurement functionality on the low voltage side may be used to determine information about the output current by determining the current at the control input, such that an additional dedicated measurement channel may not be required for the output current.According to further embodiments of the invention, a control input of the amplifier, e.g. OP-Verst., is a high impedance input, e.g. an input with an approximately infinite impedance; so that e.g. an input current of the amplifier is approximately zero. Furthermore, the control input of the amplifier is coupled to the control input of the amplifier arrangement.A high input impedance of the amplifier can prevent a current flow of the adjusted current into the amplifier. Such a current flow may result in a difference between a measured current on the low voltage side of the amplifier arrangement, e.g. through a module or a channel thereof, and the adjusted current, such that information about the output current may be distorted.According to further embodiments of the invention, the amplifier arrangement has a measurement circuit, e.g. a current-voltage converter, and the measurement circuit is coupled to an output of the amplifier, e.g. coupled between the output of the amplifier and the output of the amplifier arrangement. Furthermore, the measurement circuit is configured to provide, e.g. within an appropriate tolerance, information, e.g. an analog signal representing the output current, about the output current of the amplifier arrangement, and, e.g. correspondingly, information about the output current of the amplifier, to the current adjustment circuit, e.g. a voltage associated with the output current of the amplifier, to the current adjustment circuit, in order to determine, e.g. adjust or, e.g. adjust, the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement.According to further embodiments of the invention, the measurement circuit is configured to be adapted, e.g. based on external signaling, e.g. based on current range control bits, for evaluating, e.g. converting into an analog signal, the output current of the amplifier arrangement in a plurality of predetermined current ranges, e.g. current ranges of at least and at most + / - 1 mA, + / - 100 μA and / or + / - 10 μA. Therefore, the amplifier arrangement can be used for a plurality of current ranges, providing good flexibility. Furthermore, such a stream range change can be signaled by application bits, e.g. control bits, e.g. Strg bits. In other words, application-specific external signaling may allow for simple current domain adaptation.According to further embodiments of the invention, the measurement circuit is a current-voltage converter, which comprises e.g. a shunt resistor and a circuit for providing a voltage signal describing a voltage drop across the shunt resistor (e.g. for providing a voltage signal which linearly depends on or is proportional to the voltage drop across the shunt resistor), and the current adjustment circuit is a voltage-current converter, e.g. a voltage-controlled current source. Generally, the measurement circuit and current adjustment circuit may be corresponding, e.g. matching, circuit arrangements, such that the output of the measurement circuit may be the input of the current adjustment circuit. A voltage as an intermediate information transmission parameter may allow efficient mirroring of the current information from the high voltage of the low voltage side of the amplifier.According to further embodiments of the invention, the measurement circuit is configured to provide information, e.g. in the form of a voltage, about the output current of the amplifier arrangement to the current adjustment circuit, in order to adjust the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement such that it has a scaled version (e.g. a proportionally scaled version; e.g. a scaled current proportional to the output current; e.g. a version of the current with an amplitude that is at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50 smaller; e.g. a scaled version of the output current adapted for a measurement range of a module coupled to the control input of the amplifier arrangement; For example, a downscaled version, e.g. a version downscaled by at least a factor of 10) of the output current of the amplifier arrangement is such that e.g. a comparatively larger output current leads to or is translated into or causes a comparatively smaller current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement.Providing a scaled version of the output current may facilitate measurement of the scaled current. For example, in the case of high output currents, measurement thereof with good accuracy may be difficult. However, a measurement of, for example, a downscaled version thereof may be performed at lower cost, lower complexity, and / or accuracy.According to further embodiments of the invention, the amplifier arrangement has a voltage adaptation circuit, e.g. a voltage divider, and the voltage adaptation circuit is coupled to an output of the amplifier arrangement or to an output of the amplifier. Furthermore, the voltage adaptation circuit is configured to provide, e.g. a voltage associated with, e.g. proportional to, an output voltage of the amplifier arrangement, e.g. downscaled by a factor of at least 10, or associated with an output voltage of the amplifier, e.g. proportional to, e.g. downscaled by a factor of at least 10, to a module or a sense pin of the module.Optionally, the voltage adaptation circuit may be configured to provide a reduced amplitude version of the output voltage and / or provide a scaled down version of the output voltage, e.g. to a module coupled to the control input of the amplifier arrangement and / or, for example, to the sense pin of the module.Therefore, feedback information on the output voltage may be available, so that a desired output voltage can be adjusted with good accuracy. Based on the information about the output voltage, the voltage at the control input of the amplifier arrangement can be adjusted.According to further embodiments of the invention, the amplifier is configured to provide an output voltage of the amplifier arrangement such that the output voltage is greater than the voltage at the control input of the amplifier arrangement by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50.Thus, embodiments according to the invention may address applications where large voltage gains and / or large output voltage may be required. Furthermore, embodiments may enable driving a high voltage output with a low voltage input without requiring complex and / or additional measurement circuits, for example without requiring complex and / or additional measurement circuits, while providing a desired voltage and current with high accuracy, e.g., within acceptable tolerances, and with good robustness.According to further embodiments of the invention, the amplifier is configured to provide the output current of the amplifier arrangement such that the output current is greater than the current provided at the control input of the amplifier arrangement by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50, and / or such that a maximum output current of the amplifier is greater than a maximum output current of a channel module coupled to the input of the amplifier arrangement by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50.Thus, embodiments according to the invention may address applications where large current gains and / or large output voltage may be required. Furthermore, embodiments may enable determining or even controlling high output currents without requiring complex and / or additional measurement circuits or measurement channels.According to further embodiments of the invention, the amplifier arrangement has a safety module and the safety module is configured to disconnect the amplifier from a power supply, e.g. a voltage supply, e.g. based on a safety control signal.Optionally, the safety module may be configured to switch, e.g., in response to activation of a safety signal, between a first operating mode in which the amplifier is connected to the power supply and a second operating mode in which the amplifier is disconnected from the power supply. Therefore, high voltages and / or high currents can be provided with high certainty.According to further embodiments of the invention, the amplifier arrangement comprises an output line and a protection line, e.g. a driven shield, and the output line is configured to provide an output signal, which is e.g. the output voltage and / or the output current or comprises this(s), to the amplifier arrangement. Furthermore, the protection line is configured to be supplied, e.g. driven, with a voltage associated with the output signal of the amplifier arrangement, e.g. approximately equal to the voltage thereof, and the protection line is arranged in a vicinity of the output line, e.g. in the immediate vicinity thereof, e.g. next thereto, in order to reduce or prevent a leakage current from the output line. Therefore, reduction of output signal accuracy can be prevented by attenuating leakage currents. This can enable the use of amplifier arrangements according to the invention for applications with high signal accuracy requirements.According to further embodiments of the invention, the amplifier arrangement comprises a multiplexer and the multiplexer is configured to supply an output signal of the amplifier arrangement, which is e.g. the output voltage and / or the output current of the amplifier arrangement or comprises this(s), and optionally a voltage associated with the output signal of the amplifier arrangement, e.g. approximately equal to the voltage thereof, e.g. associated with the output voltage of the amplifier arrangement, to a respective output channel of the plurality of output channels. Furthermore, a respective output channel comprises an output line for providing the output signal and a corresponding protection line, wherein the protection line is configured to be supplied with, e.g. driven by, the voltage associated with the output signal in order to prevent a leakage of current from the output line.Thus, multiple output channels may be supplied with accurate voltages and / or currents along with respective protection signals.According to further embodiments of the invention, the multiplexer comprises a first set of switches and a second set of switches, wherein a respective switch of the first set of switches is configured to supply the voltage associated with the output signal of the amplifier arrangement, e.g. approximately equal to the voltage thereof, to a guard line of a respective output channel, wherein a respective switch of the second set of switches is configured to supply the output signal of the amplifier arrangement to an output line of a respective channel, and wherein the switches of the second set of switches comprise a T-switch topology, e.g. a topology comprising two, e.g. analog switches in series, wherein a third switch between a common connection of the two series switches and a reference potential, e.g. ground, e.g. ground.The inventors realized that the use of the T-switch topology may allow crosstalk to be reduced, e.g., as compared to single-switch topologies. In other words, an advantage may be less crosstalk compared to individual switches. A single switch may have a capacitance between switch contacts. With T-switches, this crosstalk may be improved, for example, and may be good or even very good.According to further embodiments of the invention, the amplifier arrangement comprises a calibration circuit, e.g. a calibration resistor, e.g. an internal calibration resistor, and the calibration circuit is configured to be coupled to an output of the amplifier arrangement to enable a determination of calibration information for the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement.As an example, a voltage across a calibration resistor of the calibration circuit acting as a load for the amplifier may be measured to determine the output current of the amplifier. This output current may be associated with the current at the control input measured under the same conditions, for example, using a table or scaling factor. Furthermore, such measurements can be performed at certain time intervals. The calibration circuit may allow the amplifier arrangement to be re-calibrated over its lifetime.According to further embodiments of the invention, the amplifier arrangement is configured to support a first operating mode, e.g. a voltage mode with current clamping, in which the amplifier arrangement provides an output signal having a predetermined voltage, e.g. defined by a voltage at the control input of the amplifier arrangement, and a current within a predetermined current interval (e.g. between zero and a maximum current, wherein, for example, a channel module, which provides a control voltage at the control input of the amplifier arrangement and evaluates the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement, can control the operation and, for example, can reduce the control voltage if the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement reaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum value).Furthermore, the amplifier arrangement is configured to support a second operating mode, e.g. a voltage clamping current mode, in which the amplifier arrangement provides an output signal having a predetermined current and a voltage within a predetermined voltage interval (e.g. between zero and a maximum voltage, wherein, for example, a channel module providing a control voltage at the control input of the amplifier arrangement and evaluating the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement may control the operation and may, for example, control the control voltage such that the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement assumes a predetermined target value while the control voltage at the control input of the amplifier arrangement or a feedback voltage is maintained within a predetermined range).Therefore, an amplifier arrangement according to embodiments may allow to support multiple operating modes and therefore application requirements. Moreover, the amplifier arrangement has good flexibility. Mirroring the output current to the low voltage side of the amplifier according to the invention may allow to provide these multiple operating modes with only limited impact on complexity.Further embodiments of the invention comprise an amplifier system, wherein the amplifier system comprises an amplifier arrangement according to any of the embodiments as disclosed herein, wherein the amplifier system further comprises a module, e.g. a channel module, e.g. a channel module comprising one or more channels, wherein the module is configured to be coupled to the control input of the amplifier arrangement. Furthermore, the module is configured to supply the voltage, e.g. the voltage at the control input of the amplifier, to the control input of the amplifier system, and the module is configured to determine information about the, e.g. set current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement, e.g. using a current measurement circuit of the module, e.g. to measure the set current.Thus, the module may control the output of the amplifier arrangement by providing the voltage at the input of the amplifier arrangement. In addition, the module can determine information about the output current of the amplifier arrangement, for example by measuring the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement. Therefore, the module can control and monitor the amplifier arrangement.According to further embodiments of the invention, the module is configured to obtain or, for example, determine or, for example, measure information about an output voltage of the amplifier arrangement.Optionally, the module may be configured to obtain a feedback signal, e.g. an analog feedback signal, the signal value of which represents the output voltage of the amplifier and / or the amplifier arrangement, wherein the module may use the information about the output voltage of the amplifier arrangement for a "detection type" voltage control, for example.Therefore, the module can act as a feedback control for the output voltage of the amplifier arrangement. In this way, the output voltage can be provided with good accuracy.According to further embodiments of the invention, the module has a force (force) pin (e.g. an analog ATE pin, e.g. a single low voltage pin; e.g. a driving analog ATE pin) and the force pin is configured to be coupled to the control input of the amplifier arrangement, e.g. using or via a transmission line from a force pin of the module to the control input of the amplifier arrangement. Furthermore, the module is configured to supply the voltage to the control input of the amplifier arrangement using the force pin, and the current adjustment circuit is configured to supply the adjusted current to the force pin, for example to enable a determination of the information about the adjusted current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement by the channel module. As an example, this may allow to determine information about the output current of the amplifier arrangement, e.g. to allow the channel module to adjust the voltage provided to the control input of the amplifier arrangement.According to further embodiments of the invention, the module comprises a sense (sense) pin (e.g. an analog ATE pin, e.g. a single low voltage pin; e.g. a driving analog ATE pin) and the sense pin is coupled e.g. directly or via an intermediate circuit such as a voltage divider and / or a potential separation to an output of the amplifier arrangement to e.g. sense an actual voltage at the output of the amplifier arrangement; e.g. to implement a closed loop control of the voltage at the output of the amplifier arrangement.Furthermore, the sense pin is associated with or corresponds to, e.g., the force pin; or is associated with, e.g., (e.g., wherein the sense pin is configured to measure or detect or receive a response signal or signal change associated with or caused by or caused by or caused by or using a stimulus or signal provided by or caused by or caused by or using the force pin), but the sense pin is different from the force pin. In addition, the module is configured to obtain, e.g. measure, the information about the output voltage of the amplifier arrangement using the sense pin.Therefore, using the module, a control signal, namely the voltage for the control input, can be provided by the force pin and a corresponding output voltage can be measured using the sense pin. However, functionality using the force pin may be used to measure an input current to determine information about the output current by mirroring the output current back to the control input using the current adaptation circuit (and optionally the measurement circuit) as a scaled down version thereof. Therefore, additional detection of another module may not be required for providing output current information.According to further embodiments of the invention, the module is configured to control a slew rate and / or a bandwidth of the amplifier. In general, the module may provide any control or adaptation functionality required for the amplifier arrangement and therefore the amplifier.According to further embodiments of the invention, the amplifier arrangement is a high voltage circuit, e.g. a circuit configured to provide an output voltage of at least 60 V, or a circuit configured to provide an output voltage of at least 100 V, or a circuit configured to provide at least 200 V, or a circuit configured to provide at least 500 V, or a circuit configured to provide at least 900 V, or a circuit configured to provide at least 1000 V; For example, a circuit configured to provide a high output voltage, e.g., a voltage having an amplitude that is at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50 greater than a maximum output voltage provided by the module (which may be considered a low output voltage).Further, the module is a low voltage circuit (e.g., a circuit configured to provide a maximum output voltage of no more than 7 V, or a circuit configured to provide a maximum output voltage of no more than 12 V, or a circuit configured to provide a maximum output voltage of no more than 15 V, or a circuit configured to provide a maximum output voltage of no more than 30 V) having a low voltage output (e.g., having or being the force pin, e.g., an output configured to provide a maximum output voltage of no more than 7 V, or an output configured to provide a maximum output voltage of no more than 12 V, or an output, the low voltage output is configured to provide a maximum output voltage of no more than 15 V or an output configured to provide a maximum output voltage of no more than 30 V), wherein the low voltage output is configured to provide an output voltage to the control input of the amplifier arrangement.Optionally, as an example, the module includes a current measurement circuit, wherein the current measurement circuit is configured to measure (e.g., set) current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement (e.g., using the force pin). In addition, the low voltage circuit is configured to drive the high voltage circuit.According to further embodiments of the invention, a voltage range of an output voltage of the amplifier exceeds a voltage range of an output voltage of the module by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50, so that e.g. a maximum output voltage of the amplifier is greater than a maximum output voltage of the module by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50. Therefore, a high voltage amplifier arrangement can be driven using a low voltage module.Further embodiments according to the invention comprise a method for an amplifier arrangement, e.g. for use in combination with automatic test equipment, ATE, or for use in an ATE, the method comprising controlling an amplifier, e.g. an OP-Ver, of the amplifier arrangement with a voltage at a control input of the amplifier arrangement and adjusting, e.g. adjusting, e.g. inducing, e.g. providing; e.g. generating; e.g. causing, a current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement depending on an output current of the amplifier arrangement.The method as described above is based on the same considerations as the amplifier arrangement described above. The method can be accomplished with all features and functionalities also described with reference to the amplifier arrangement.Further embodiments according to the invention comprise a computer program for performing any of the methods as disclosed herein when the computer program is executed on a computer.Brief Description of the DrawingsThe drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an amplifier arrangement according to embodiments of the invention; FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an amplifier system according to embodiments of the invention; FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a method according to embodiments of the invention; FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of an amplifier system comprising an amplifier arrangement and a module according to embodiments of the invention; FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an amplifier system comprising an amplifier arrangement and a module with further optional features, according to embodiments of the invention; FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another amplifier system according to embodiments of the invention; FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of an amplifier according to embodiments of the invention; FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of an amplifier system with optional security features according to embodiments of the invention; FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a safety switch according to embodiments of the invention; FIG. 10 shows a) further examples of amplifiers and b) an example of dimensions of an amplifier in a schematic view of an amplifier according to embodiments of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTSLike or equivalent elements or elements having like or equivalent functionality are denoted by like or equivalent reference numerals in the following description, even if they occur in different figures.In the following description, several details are set forth in order to provide a more comprehensive explanation of embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form and not in detail in order to avoid obscuring embodiments of the present invention. In addition, features of the various embodiments described herein may be combined with one another unless specifically stated otherwise.FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an amplifier arrangement according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1 shows an amplifier arrangement 100 comprising an amplifier, A, 110 and a current matching circuit, CAC, 120.The amplifier 110 is configured to be controlled by a voltage U ein at a control input 102 of the amplifier arrangement 100. As an example, the amplifier 110 may be supplied with a low voltage input signal U ein at the control input 102 and may amplify the signal to a high voltage output signal U aus at an output 104 of the amplifier arrangement.The current adjustment circuit 120 is configured to adjust a current Iadjusted at the control input 102 of the amplifier arrangement 100 depending on an output current I aus of the amplifier arrangement.It should be noted that the voltages U ein, U aus and the currents Iset, I aus may depend on external circuitry, e.g. a module coupled to the input 102 and / or a load or measurement circuitry coupled to the output 104, and that these entities are shown here together and without further external circuitry as examples in order to provide a better understanding of embodiments according to the invention.FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an amplifier system according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2 shows an amplifier system 300 including a module 310 and an amplifier arrangement 200, the amplifier arrangement including an amplifier, A, 210 and a current matching circuit, CAC, 220. The amplifier 210 and the current adjustment circuit 220 may have the functionality as explained in the context of FIG. 1.As an optional feature, the module 310 is coupled to the control input 202 of the amplifier arrangement and the module is configured to provide the voltage to the control input of the amplifier arrangement. Furthermore, the module is configured to determine information about the current at the control input 202 of the amplifier arrangement 200. Therefore, the module 310 may be configured to determine information about an output current of the amplifier arrangement 200 and / or the amplifier 210.As an optional feature, a control input 212 of the amplifier 210 coupled to the control input 202 of the amplifier arrangement may be a high impedance input. Therefore, the amplifier 210 may be an operational amplifier, for example. Thus, for example, an input current of amplifier 212 may be approximately zero, such that a current provided or adjusted by current adjustment circuit 220 may be provided entirely to control input 202, with little or approximately no losses toward amplifier 210. Without lost current toward the amplifier 210, determination of the output current based on the adjusted current can be accurately performed.As an additional optional feature, amplifier arrangement 200 includes a measurement circuit, MC, 230 coupled to an output 214 of amplifier 210. The measurement circuit 230 may be configured to measure the output current of the amplifier arrangement 200 and therefore at least approximately the output current of the amplifier 210. As an example, measurement circuit 230 may determine a voltage drop across a resistor coupled in series with output 214 of the amplifier arrangement.However, it should be noted that embodiments are not limited to a specific type of measurement. In general, the measurement circuit 230 is configured to determine information about the output current of the amplifier arrangement to provide this information to the current adjustment circuit 220.Based on this information, the current adjustment circuit 220 may adjust the current at the control input 202 of the amplifier arrangement. Based on a measurement of this current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement, information about the original measurement of the output current can be obtained.As another optional feature, the measurement circuit 230 may be a current-to-voltage converter and the current adjustment circuit 220 may be a voltage-to-current converter. In other words and generally, the measurement circuit 230 and the current adjustment circuit 220 may be respective circuits such that a signal conversion, e.g. an analog signal conversion, from a measured current (or a respective measurement entity thereof, e.g. a voltage) to a set current may be provided.As another optional feature, the adjusted current at the control input 202 of the amplifier arrangement may be a scaled version of the output current of the amplifier arrangement. As an example, based on measurement information from the measurement circuit 230, e.g., a voltage, the current adjustment circuit 220 may adjust the current at the control input 202 to be a scaled down version of the current corresponding to the measurement information. In other words, embodiments may include a current transfer from a high voltage side of the amplifier 210 to a low voltage side of the amplifier.As another optional feature, the amplifier arrangement 200 includes a voltage adaptation circuit, VAC, 240. The voltage adaptation circuit 240 may be coupled, e.g. via the measurement circuit 230, to an output of the amplifier arrangement or to an output of the amplifier, for example.The voltage adaptation circuit 240 is configured to provide information about an output voltage of the amplifier arrangement 200. As an example, the information may be a voltage associated with the output voltage of the amplifier arrangement or associated with an output voltage of the amplifier. Optionally, voltage adaptation circuit 240 may include a voltage divider and may provide a voltage that is proportional to, but for example substantially less than, the output voltage of the amplifier arrangement. Therefore, voltage control can be performed based on such voltage feedback.As another optional feature, the module includes a force pin 312 coupled to the control input 202 of the amplifier arrangement, and the module is configured to provide the voltage to the control input 202 of the amplifier arrangement using the force pin. Further, the current adjustment circuit 220 is configured to provide the adjusted current to the force pin 312. Therefore, the force pin may be used for providing a control signal, namely the voltage at the control input and at the same time for receiving information about an output current of the amplifier arrangement, namely the adjusted current depending on the output current.As shown, voltage adaptation circuit 240 may be coupled to module 310. In addition, the module may include a sense pin 314. Generally, the sense pin may be coupled to an output of the amplifier arrangement 200. Accordingly, the module may be configured to obtain information about an output voltage of the amplifier arrangement, as shown for example in FIG. 2, via or using the sense pin 314.As another optional feature, the amplifier 210 may be configured to provide an output voltage of the amplifier arrangement 200 such that the output voltage is greater than the voltage at the control input 202 of the amplifier arrangement by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50. Thus, embodiments may address large gains so that a low input voltage may drive a high output voltage.As another optional feature, the amplifier 210 may be configured to provide the output current of the amplifier arrangement 200 such that the output current is greater than the current provided at the control input 202 of the amplifier arrangement by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50, and / or such that a maximum output current of the amplifier is greater than a maximum output current of a channel module coupled to the input of the amplifier arrangement by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50.Accordingly, embodiments may address applications with high current, wherein a high output current may be translated or mirrored into a low current at control input 202 for measurement thereof, or wherein the high output current is monitored using the low current at control input 202, which is, e.g., a scaled down version of the output current.As another optional example, the amplifier arrangement 200 includes a safety module, SM, 250, and the safety module is configured to disconnect the amplifier 210 from a power supply 216. This may allow safe and robust operation of the amplifier arrangement with respect to the high voltages and high currents that may be provided.As another optional feature, the amplifier arrangement 200 includes an output line 260 and a guard line 270. The output line may provide an output signal of the amplifier arrangement. The guard line is disposed in close proximity to the output line, the guard line may even surround the output line and may be supplied with a voltage associated with, e.g., the output signal on the output line 260, e.g., approximately equal to the voltage thereof. Therefore, leakage currents from the output line can be prevented or at least inhibited. Consequently, the output signal may be provided with high accuracy, e.g. for well-defined test conditions.As another optional feature, the amplifier arrangement includes a multiplexer MUX 280. The multiplexer 280 is configured to provide an output signal of the amplifier arrangement and a voltage associated with the output signal of the amplifier arrangement to a respective output channel of a plurality of output channels.A respective output channel 281, 284, 287 comprises an output line 282, 285, 288 for providing the output signal and a corresponding protection line 283, 286, 289, the protection line being configured to be supplied with the voltage associated with the output signal to prevent a leakage of current from the output line. Thus, multiple devices may be addressed.As another optional feature, the amplifier arrangement 200 includes a calibration circuit, CC, 290. The calibration circuit is coupled to an output of the amplifier arrangement in order to enable a determination of calibration information for the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement. As an example, calibration circuit 290 may include a resistor and a switch coupled to a reference potential. Therefore, the output current may be determined without any other load using the calibration resistor (e.g. by measuring a voltage drop across the resistor) to calibrate the amplifier arrangement e.g. with respect to the provided voltage at the control input and / or with respect to a relationship between a current at the control input and an output current.As another optional feature, the amplifier arrangement 200 may be configured to support a first operating mode in which the amplifier arrangement provides an output signal having a predetermined voltage and a current within a predetermined current interval, and a second operating mode in which the amplifier arrangement provides an output signal having a predetermined current and a voltage within a predetermined voltage interval. In other words, the amplifier arrangement may be configured to provide a voltage mode with current clamping and a current mode with voltage clamping. Therefore, embodiments may have good flexibility for different test scenarios.As another optional feature, module 310 may be configured to control a slew rate and / or a bandwidth of amplifier 210.As shown in FIG. 2 and as explained above, the module 310 may be configured to drive or control the amplifier circuit 200. Therefore, a low voltage may be provided to the control input 202 of the amplifier arrangement on a low voltage side of the amplifier arrangement, which may result in a high voltage at an output of the amplifier arrangement. Thus, in other words, the amplifier arrangement 200 may be a high voltage circuit and the module 310 may be a low voltage circuit having a low voltage output, wherein the low voltage output may be configured to provide an output voltage to the control input of the amplifier arrangement and wherein the low voltage circuit may be configured to drive the high voltage circuit.As an example, a voltage range of an output voltage of amplifier 210 may exceed a voltage range of an output voltage of module 310 by at least a factor of 10, or at least a factor of 50.FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a method according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a method 320 for an amplifier arrangement, wherein the method comprises controlling 330 an amplifier of the amplifier arrangement with a voltage at a control input of the amplifier arrangement and adjusting 340 a current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement depending on an output current of the amplifier arrangement.In other words, embodiments according to the invention will be described below. Further, novel embodiments are disclosed.First, problems that may be solved or addressed by embodiments of the invention or respective features of such embodiments are discussed:Embodiments according to the invention have a simple way of obtaining, providing and / or being higher output voltages or current from an analog ATE pin. A single low voltage pin may drive a high voltage or high current unit at the output, for example. According to or using embodiments, it may be possible to expand voltages and currents while many or even all of the existing features are available on the driving analog ATE pin used. The specific function according to embodiments may be, for example, that a current measurement on a high side, e.g. a high voltage side of the amplifier arrangement, is mirrored back to the force pin of the driving analog pin, e.g. to the force pin of a module, e.g. a low voltage module, wherein the module drives the amplifier arrangement.Next, a description will be provided of the construction and operation of embodiments according to the invention. However, first, reference is made to Figs. 4 to 6.FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of an amplifier system comprising an amplifier arrangement and a module according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 4 shows an amplifier system 500 acomprising a module 510, which is an example of an AVI64 module (e.g. ADVANTAGEST V93000) comprising a channel, and an amplifier arrangement 400 a.It should be noted that any information provided with respect to a specific design or configuration of features of embodiments of the invention, such as e.g. the module being an AVI64 module, is to be considered as examples, and it is further noted that embodiments may therefore comprise elements having similar or the same functionality as the examples shown here. In the same sense, any specific values mentioned or presented herein are to be understood as examples. Accordingly, embodiments are not limited to a specific configuration, and therefore, it should be noted that any given numbers or values are to be understood as numbers or values having a tolerance of, for example, + / - 1%, + / - 5%, + / - 10%, + / - 50%, + / - 100%, + / - 500%, and / or + / - 1000%.FIG. 4 shows specific examples of the elements of amplifier arrangements according to embodiments, namely the amplifier arrangement 400 aincludes an amplifier 410, as optionally shown in the form of a high voltage or HV amplifier with an optional amplification factor of 100. As shown, the amplifier 410 may be a PAD 195.Amplifier arrangement 400a further comprises a current adaptation circuit 420a, as optionally shown in the form of a V-I converter. The current adaptation circuit 420 ais coupled to a force pin 512 of the module. A coupling may be provided via a control input of the amplifier arrangement (not shown). Therefore, as explained above, the module 510 may provide a voltage to the amplifier 410 via a control input of the amplifier arrangement and may receive or determine a current provided or adjusted by the current adaptation circuit 420 ato determine information about an output current of the amplifier arrangement.The amplifier arrangement 400 afurther includes a measurement circuit 430, as optionally shown in the form of a current measurement unit (current measurement iso-Verst), and a voltage adaptation circuit 440, as optionally shown in the form of a voltage measurement buffer, e.g. a voltage divider having a voltage division ratio of 1:100, such that an output voltage from an output of the amplifier of, for example, 800 V may be converted into a voltage of 8 V, which is provided to a sense pin 514 of the module 510. Therefore, the voltage adaptation circuit 440 may measure the output voltage, e.g., shown as the output voltage of a first channel, for example, in an interval of [0, 800 V] to provide feedback information to the sense pin 514 of the module 510.As explained above, the measurement circuit 430 is coupled to the current adaptation circuit 420 ato provide feedback information regarding the output current of the amplifier 410 to the force pin 512 of the module 510. Simply stated, the output current may be mirrored as a scaled down version to the control input of the amplifier arrangement and therefore the module 510. Examples of respective signal amplitudes are shown in Fig. 4.Furthermore, the measurement unit 430 may be configured to receive a control signal 432 to switch between different modes of operation such that different ranges of current may be addressed. Thus, control bits, e.g., application specific control bits, e.g., Strg bits, may be used.In general, the measurement circuit may be configured to be adapted for evaluating the output current of the amplifier arrangement in a plurality of predetermined current ranges, e.g. 3 current ranges, e.g. of at least and at most + / - 1 mA, + / - 100 μA and / or + / - 10 μA.The amplifier arrangement 400 afurther includes an output line 460 and a protection line 470. As explained above, the protection line 470 may be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the output line, e.g. surrounding it, in order to prevent leakage currents. Thus, the guard line 460 is coupled to an output of the amplifier 410.As another optional feature, amplifier arrangement 400a includes a multiplexer. Multiplexer 480 is supplied with the guard line signal and the output signal to route such signals to multiple channels. Respective channels may each comprise a line for the output signal and a guard line, as optionally shown. Any form of multiplexer and any number of channels may be implemented. As shown, a 1:4 multiplexer may be used, but 1:2 or other ratios may also be used.As shown with an additional block 520, the multiplexer may include switches having a T-topology, e.g., a topology including two, for example analog, switches 521, 522 in series, with a third switch 523 connected between a common connection of the two series switches and a reference potential, e.g., ground, e.g., ground.In general, the multiplexer may include a first set of switches and a second set of switches, wherein a respective switch of the first set of switches is configured to provide the voltage associated with the output signal of the amplifier arrangement to a guard line of a respective output channel, and wherein a respective switch of the second set of switches is configured to provide the output signal of the amplifier arrangement to an output line of a respective channel, and wherein the switches of the second set of switches have a T-switch topology.The amplifier arrangement 400 afurther comprises a safety module 450. As shown, optionally, a DC / DC converter may include the safety module 450, such that based on an activation of a safety signal 452, a supply voltage provided from the DC / DC converter to the amplifier 410 may be disconnected. As an example, the DC / DC converter may be supplied with a rated voltage of +12 V, e.g., a voltage of at least +10 V and at most +20 V, and may be supplied with a high voltage output voltage control signal in an interval of [0 V,..., 5 V].As an optional feature, the safety signal 452 may also be provided to the multiplexer 480 to, e.g., disconnect the high voltage of the output line 460 from the channels of the multiplexer 480.As another optional feature, the amplifier arrangement 400 aincludes a calibration circuit 490 including a calibration resistor 492 (Kal resistor having, for example, a resistance value of 10 Meg, at 0.1%, 5 ppm) coupled via a switch 494 to a reference potential 496, e.g., ground. Thus, for example, in a no-load situation, the amplifier assembly 400 acan be calibrated by closing the switch 494 and measuring a voltage across the resistor 492.As summarized in FIG. 4, the amplifier system 500 amay include a current clamping voltage mode, a voltage clamping current mode, a slew rate control by the module (AVI64), a bandwidth control by the module (AVI64), a current domain control using or by application bits, e.g., bits 432, an output multiplexer or MUX control by or using application bits, e.g., bits 482, e.g., MUX control (Strg) bits, a voltage range of at least 0 V to at most +800 V, a plurality of current domains, e.g., 2 domains, e.g., 3 domains, For example, max= + / -1 mA and + / -100 mA, + / -10 μA, a hardware clamp in the amplifier (HV-Verst): + / -1.5 mA, an HV DC DC output voltage controller with an analog pin (100 V to +900 V), a safety circuit 450, an internal calibration resistor, e.g., with 10 Meg, 0.1% TK 5ppm, solid state switches and / or a protection output and / or, for example, a plurality of protection outputs (MUX, HVGx PROTECT).FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an amplifier system comprising an amplifier arrangement and a module with further optional features, according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 5 shows an amplifier system 500 bcomprising an amplifier arrangement 400 b, which mainly comprises the elements as explained above. As compared to FIG. 4, an amplifier arrangement 400 bhas a resistor 472 between the protection line 470 aand the amplifier 410 and the DC / DC converter may be supplied with an HV output voltage output of at most 4 V, for example.Furthermore, the amplifier arrangement 400 bincludes an additional capacitor between the current adaptation circuit 420 band the force pin 512 of the module 510 and the amplifier 410, which capacitor is coupled to a reference potential ( 422). Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, multiplexer 480 amay include different types of switches, e.g., protection switch 484 for protection lines and T-switches 486 (e.g., corresponding to switch 520 shown in FIG. 4 ) for output lines.As an example, a hardware clamp in amplifier 410 of amplifier arrangement 400 bmay have a + / - 1.3 mA interval.FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of another amplifier system according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 6 shows an amplifier system 600 comprising a first module 610, a second module 620, an amplifier arrangement 630, the amplifier arrangement comprising an amplifier 640, a current adaptation circuit 650 and a measurement circuit 660. The system 600 further includes an additional amplifier 670. The module 610 includes a force pin 612 and a sense pin 614.A voltage may be provided to the amplifier 640 via the force pin 612 to control an output of the amplifier arrangement 630. Using the measurement circuit 660, which comprises, for example, a resistor and an amplifier, information, e.g., in the form of a voltage, about the output of the amplifier, namely the output current of the amplifier, may be provided to the current adaptation circuit 650. As shown, current adaptation circuit 650 may be, for example, a current source. The current source may provide a current proportional to the output current, e.g., shown as a current of 20 mA corresponding to an output current of 20 A, to force pin 612. Module 610 may therefore determine the output stream information. Additionally, the module 610 may be configured to determine information about an output voltage of the amplifier using the sense pin 614.As shown, in this manner, a single channel may provide full control and measurement functionality for providing a desired voltage or current within predefined current or voltage intervals. Thus, a second module 620 may address another amplifier instead of providing measurement functionality to the amplifier arrangement 630.A high voltage amplifier, e.g. an OP-Ver, may amplify the voltage coming from an analog pin, e.g. by a factor of 100, e.g. a factor of at least 10. With, for example, 3 current ranges 1 mA, 100 μA, 10 μA, leak measurements may be possible, e.g., from 0 V to +800 V.The measured current may be mirrored back to the connected analog pin. A current adaptation circuit comprising, for example, a voltage-current converter can be used for this purpose. In the block diagram of FIG. 4, this is box 420 a(V-I converter). Apart from FIG. 4, reference is made to FIGS. 5 and 6, and in particular to HV800.And this is one or even the specific idea according to embodiments. Instead of using another channel (e.g., module 620 as shown in FIG. 6 ) and measuring the voltage coming from the current measurement method, the same channel may measure the current from the mirrored current. This saves another channel and has additional features, which is not possible if another channel measures the output current.Another or even the greatest advantage may be: since the current is transferred from the high voltage side to the low voltage side, all functionality of the module, e.g. an AVI64 channel, may be used. Current clamping, current bandwidth, slew rates may be used. Voltage and current digitalization are possible with this principle on an analog pin. It can act like an actual high-voltage pin or behave in this way-for example with very little outlay. As an example, only scaling factors may need to be adjusted in the software. This can be done by the user.Thus, embodiments provide a simple approach to obtaining high voltages and / or to obtaining high current from an analog ATE pin. There may be no need to develop a completely new amplifier system, e.g. 93K instrument, which is very expensive and expensive. Thus, embodiments may provide a low cost solution that addresses a low pin count customer with specific requirements that cannot be addressed with existing instruments.FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of an amplifier according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 7 shows an amplifier 700 with respective input, output and supply signals. It should be noted that the values and parameters marked in FIG. 7 are to be considered examples with tolerances, so that embodiments amplifier as shown in FIG. 7 with parameter variations of, for example, + / - 1%, + / - 5%, + / - 10%, + / - 50%, + / - 100%, + / - 500% and / or + / - 1000%.Main features of amplifiers according to embodiments of the invention may include low costs, e.g. of less than or equal to 115 modifier / 100 piece, a small size (see e.g. FIG. 10 as an example), e.g. sizes of 40 mm square, e.g. of at least 20 mm square and at most 80 mm square, high voltages, e.g. of 1040 V, e.g. of at least 520 V and at most 2080 V, output currents of e.g. 100 mA, e.g. of at least 50 mA and at most 200 mA, dissipation capabilities of e.g. 10 watts, e.g. of at least 5 watts and at most 20 watts, slew rates of e.g. 3 V / μs, e.g. of at least 1.5 V / μs and at most 6 V / μs, and or a quiescent current of e.g. 1 mA, e.g. of at least 0.5 mA and at most 2 mA.Applications for amplifiers or amplifier arrangements according to exemplary embodiments can be, for example, high-voltage instruments, piezo transducer devices, electron beam focusing and / or programmable voltage sources.Amplifiers can support asymmetric supply voltages of, for example, -50 V to +1000 V. Furthermore, the amplifier may be a programmable voltage source, e.g. a programmable 1000 V voltage source. Generally, amplifiers can have compact high voltage op-amps.FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of an amplifier system with optional security features according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 8 shows an amplifier system 500 ccomprising a module 510, e.g. as explained above, and an amplifier arrangement 400 chaving elements as explained above. In contrast to FIGS. 4 and 5, the amplifier arrangement 400 ccomprises additional discharge circuitry 454, as an example a capacitor coupled in parallel with a resistor. Furthermore, the safety module 450 cis not integrated in the DC / DC converter, but includes switches K 1 and K 2 (and a resistor).As shown in FIG. 8, in a safety mode, switches K 1 and K 2 may be opened so that the amplifier 410 does not receive a supply voltage. Using circuitry 454, a remaining charge may be discharged. Furthermore, a switch K3 of the calibration circuit may be closed to discharge the output of the amplifier. Accordingly, circuit breakers 484 may be switched so that an output of the switch is disconnected from ground and so that the input of the switch is connected to ground. T-switches 486 may be switched so that the input and output of the switch may both be in an open switch state so that charge between input and output is discharged via a closed switch coupled to ground. Further, as shown by detail view 456, switches may be opened for MUX 480 and thus turned OFF.Examples of calculation, parameterizations and / or discharge times for the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8 are given below. Note that these calculations are examples, and values and parameters used therein are to be regarded as values and parameters within a tolerance of, for example, + / - 1%, + / - 5%, + / - 10%, + / - 50%, + / - 100%, + / - 500%, and / or + / - 1000%.Calculations: Discharge time: Cint*R1=20 nF*10 Meg=0.2s*5=1 s; Iq1-PAD195may be, for example, 1 mA. Discharging DC-DC with CLast of 20 nF may be, for example: ic=C*du / dt; dt=C*du / ic; here, as an example, dt=20 nF*900 V / 1 mA=18 ms. U1of DC-DC converter with CLastof 20nF can be discharged by current in U2in 18ms; P = U^2 / R; 900 V^2 / 10 Meg = 81mWatts, for example.FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a safety switch according to embodiments of the invention. FIG. 9 shows a circuit 900, e.g. for providing the signal 452 of FIGS. 4, 5 and 8, Again, the parameterization is to be considered as an example, e.g. with tolerances of + / - 1%, + / - 5%, + / - 10%, + / - 50%, + / - 100%, + / - 500% and / or + / - 1000%. On the left side, an example of an implementation for a switch is shown, so embodiments may have galvanic decoupling.Referring to FIG. 9, embodiments may have the following characteristics:Switch: AQY278B switch, e.g., with 2 kV, e.g., 25 mA cont. and, e.g., 75 mA peak, 100 ms single shot; leak loss measurement + / -0.2 nA at + / -505 V, 90 pA at + / -10 V, leak loss speed. 1 μA, pure Spez. (350.. 500) Ohm, switching time: (0.2.1) ms; C-iso 1.5 pF input to output, Cout=60 pF, measured pin 3 to pin 4.FIG. 10 shows a) further examples of amplifiers and b) an example of dimensions of an amplifier in a schematic view of an amplifier according to embodiments of the invention.Although some aspects have been described in connection with a device, it is understood that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or a component of a device is also to be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device.Depending on certain implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation can be carried out using a digital storage medium, for example a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-ray disk, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, a hard disk or another magnetic or optical memory, on which electronically readable control signals are stored, which cooperate (or can cooperate) with a programmable computer system such that the respective method is carried out.Some embodiments according to the invention thus comprise a data carrier having electronically readable control signals which are capable of interacting with a programmable computer system in such a way that one of the methods described herein is carried out.In general, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program product having a program code, wherein the program code is operative to perform one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer. The program code can also be stored on a machine-readable carrier, for example.Other embodiments include the computer program for performing any of the methods described herein, wherein the computer program is stored on a machine readable carrier.In other words, an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a computer program which has a program code for carrying out one of the methods described herein when the computer program runs on a computer.A further embodiment of the methods according to the invention is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium) on which the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein is recorded.A further exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a data stream or a sequence of signals which represents or represent the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein. The data stream or sequence of signals may be configured, for example, to be transmitted over a data communication link, for example, over the Internet.A further embodiment comprises a processing device, for example a computer or a programmable logic device, configured or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein.A further embodiment comprises a computer on which the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein is installed.In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (e.g., a field programmable gate array, an FPGA) may be used to perform some or all of the functionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor to perform any of the methods described herein. Generally, the methods are preferably performed by any hardware device.The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It is to be understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to others skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims and not by the specific details presented herein by way of description and explanation of the embodiments.

Claims

An amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630), the amplifier arrangement comprising: an amplifier (110, 210, 410, 640, 700), the amplifier configured to be controlled by a voltage at a control input (102, 202) of the amplifier arrangement; and a current adjustment circuit (120, 220, 420a, b, 650), the current adjustment circuit configured to adjust a current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement depending on an output current of the amplifier arrangement.The amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) of claim 1, wherein a control input (212) of the amplifier (110, 210, 410, 640, 700) is a high impedance input; and wherein the control input (212) of the amplifier is coupled to the control input (102, 202) of the amplifier arrangement.Amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the amplifier arrangement comprises a measurement circuit (230, 430, 660); wherein the measurement circuit is coupled to an output of the amplifier (110, 210, 410, 640, 700); and wherein the measurement circuit is configured to provide information about the output current of the amplifier arrangement to the current adjustment circuit (120, 220, 420a, b, 650) in order to determine the current at the control input (102, 202) of the amplifier arrangement.The amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) of claim 3, wherein the measurement circuit (230, 430, 660) is configured to be adapted to evaluate the output current of the amplifier arrangement in a plurality of predetermined current ranges.The amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) according to any of claims 3 to 4, wherein the measurement circuit (230, 430, 660) is a current-to-voltage converter; and wherein the current adjustment circuit (120, 220, 420a, b, 650) is a voltage-to-current converter.Amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) according to any of the preceding claims 3 to 5, wherein the measurement circuit (230, 430, 660) is configured to provide information about the output current of the amplifier arrangement to the current adjustment circuit (120, 220, 420a, b, 650) to adjust the current at the control input (102, 202) of the amplifier arrangement to be a scaled version of the output current of the amplifier arrangement.The amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) of any preceding claim, wherein the amplifier arrangement comprises a voltage adaptation circuit (240, 440); wherein the voltage adaptation circuit is coupled to an output of the amplifier arrangement or to an output of the amplifier (110, 210, 410, 640, 700); and wherein the voltage adaptation circuit is configured to provide a voltage associated with an output voltage of the amplifier arrangement or associated with an output voltage of the amplifier.Amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the amplifier (110, 210, 410, 640, 700) is configured to provide an output voltage of the amplifier arrangement such that the output voltage is greater than the voltage at the control input (102, 202) of the amplifier arrangement by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50.Amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amplifier (110, 210, 410, 640, 700) is configured to provide the output current of the amplifier arrangement such that the output current is greater than the current provided at the control input (102, 202) of the amplifier arrangement by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50 and / or such that a maximum output current of the amplifier is greater than a maximum output current of a channel module (310, 510, 610) coupled to the input of the amplifier arrangement by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50.The amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amplifier arrangement comprises a safety module (250, 450, 450c); and wherein the safety module is configured to disconnect the amplifier (110, 210, 410, 640, 700) from a power supply.The amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amplifier arrangement comprises an output line (260, 460) and a guard line (270, 470); wherein the output line is configured to provide an output signal of the amplifier arrangement; wherein the guard line is configured to be supplied with a voltage associated with the output signal of the amplifier arrangement, and wherein the guard line is arranged in a vicinity of the output line to reduce or prevent a leakage current from the output line.Amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amplifier arrangement comprises a multiplexer (280, 480); wherein the multiplexer is configured to supply an output signal of the amplifier arrangement and a voltage associated with the output signal of the amplifier arrangement to a respective output channel (281, 284, 287) of a plurality of output channels, wherein a respective output channel comprises an output line (282, 285, 288) for providing the output signal and a corresponding protection line (283, 286, 289), wherein the protection line is configured to be supplied with the voltage associated with the output signal to prevent a leakage loss of current from the output line.The amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) of claim 12, wherein the multiplexer (280, 480) comprises a first set (484) of switches and a second set (486, 520) of switches, wherein a respective switch of the first set of switches is configured to provide the voltage associated with the output signal of the amplifier arrangement to a guard line (283, 286, 289) of a respective output channel (281, 284, 287); wherein a respective switch of the second set of switches is configured to provide the output signal of the amplifier arrangement to an output line (282, 285, 288) of a respective channel (281, 284, 287); and wherein the switches of the second set of switches comprise a T-switch topology.The amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) of any preceding claim, wherein the amplifier arrangement comprises a calibration circuit (290, 490); and wherein the calibration circuit is configured to be coupled to an output of the amplifier arrangement to enable determination of calibration information for the current at the control input (102, 202) of the amplifier arrangement.The amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) of any preceding claim, wherein the amplifier arrangement is configured to support: a first mode of operation in which the amplifier arrangement provides an output signal having a predetermined voltage and a current within a predetermined current interval; and a second mode of operation in which the amplifier arrangement provides an output signal having a predetermined current and a voltage within a predetermined voltage interval.Amplifier system (300, 500a-c, 600), comprising: an amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) according to any of the preceding claims; wherein the amplifier system comprises a module (310, 510, 610), wherein the module is configured to be coupled to the control input (102, 202) of the amplifier arrangement; wherein the module is configured to provide the voltage to the control input of the amplifier arrangement; and wherein the module is configured to determine information about the current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement.The amplifier system (300, 500a-c, 600) according to claim 16, wherein the module (310, 510, 610) is configured to obtain information about an output voltage of the amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630).The amplifier system (300, 500a-c, 600) of any of claims 16 to 17, wherein the module (310, 510, 610) comprises a force pin (312, 512, 612); wherein the force pin is configured to be coupled to the control input (102, 202) of the amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630); and wherein the module is configured to provide the voltage to the control input of the amplifier arrangement using the force pin; and wherein the current adjustment circuit (120, 220, 420a, b, 650) is configured to provide the adjusted current to the force pin.The amplifier system (300, 500a-c, 600) of claim 18, wherein the module (310, 510, 610) comprises a sense pin (314, 514, 614); wherein the sense pin is coupled to an output of the amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630); wherein the sense pin is associated with the force pin (312, 512, 612), but wherein the sense pin is different from the force pin; and wherein the module is configured to obtain the information about the output voltage of the amplifier arrangement using the sense pin.The amplifier system (300, 500a-c, 600) according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the module (310, 510, 610) is configured to control a slew rate and / or a bandwidth of the amplifier (110, 210, 410, 640, 700).The amplifier system (300, 500a-c, 600) according to any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630) is a high voltage circuit; wherein the module (310, 510, 610) is a low voltage circuit having a low voltage output, wherein the low voltage output is configured to provide an output voltage to the control input (102, 202) of the amplifier arrangement; and wherein the low voltage circuit is configured to drive the high voltage circuit.The amplifier system (300, 500a-c, 600) according to any of claims 16 to 21, wherein a voltage range of an output voltage of the amplifier (110, 210, 410, 640, 700) exceeds a voltage range of an output voltage of the module (310, 510, 610) by at least a factor of 10 or at least a factor of 50.A method (320) for an amplifier arrangement (100, 200, 400a-c, 630), the method comprising: controlling (330) an amplifier of the amplifier arrangement with a voltage at a control input (102, 202) of the amplifier arrangement; and adjusting (340) a current at the control input of the amplifier arrangement depending on an output current of the amplifier arrangement.A computer program for performing the method of claim 23, when the computer program is executed on a computer.

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