Amplifier device

Abstract

An amplifier device includes an amplifier circuit, a capacitor, and six switches. A first switch is coupled between a first high voltage level and the capacitor. A second switch is coupled between a first low voltage level and the capacitor. Third and fourth switches are coupled between the capacitor and the amplifier circuit. A fifth switch is coupled between the amplifier circuit (or capacitor) and a second high voltage level. A sixth switch is coupled between the amplifier circuit (or capacitor) and the second low voltage level. When the first and second switches are on, the third and fourth switches are off, pre-charging the capacitor. When the third and fourth switches are on, the first and second switches are off, discharging the capacitor. The fifth and sixth switches are dynamically on, allowing the second high voltage level to provide auxiliary power to the capacitor or the amplifier circuit.

Claims

1. An amplifier device comprising: an amplifier circuit; a power supply capacitor; a first switch coupled between a first high voltage level and a first terminal of the power supply capacitor; a second switch coupled between a first low voltage level and a second terminal of the power supply capacitor, wherein the first high voltage level is higher than the first low voltage level; a third switch coupled between the first terminal of the power supply capacitor and a first node of the amplifier circuit; a fourth switch coupled between the second terminal of the power supply capacitor and a second node of the amplifier circuit; a fifth switch coupled between the first node of the amplifier circuit and a second high voltage level; and a sixth switch coupled between the second node of the amplifier circuit and a second low voltage level, wherein the second high voltage level is higher than the second low voltage level. When the first switch and the second switch are connected, the third switch and the fourth switch are disconnected to pre-charge the power supply capacitor; when the third switch and the fourth switch are connected, the first switch and the second switch are disconnected to discharge the power supply capacitor to the amplifier circuit, allowing the amplifier circuit to amplify a signal based on the charge stored in the power supply capacitor; and the fifth switch and the sixth switch are dynamically connected to provide auxiliary power to the amplifier circuit from the second high voltage level.

2. The amplifier device as described in claim 1, wherein after the pre-charge operation is completed and before the discharge operation is performed, the fifth switch and the sixth switch are turned on to enable the second high voltage level to perform the auxiliary power supply operation for the amplifier circuit; when the pre-charge operation is performed and when the discharge operation is performed, the fifth switch and the sixth switch are turned off to stop the auxiliary power supply operation.

3. The amplifier device as described in claim 1, wherein at the end of the pre-charging operation, the fifth switch and the sixth switch are turned on to enable the second high voltage level to begin the auxiliary power supply operation for the amplifier circuit; when the discharging operation is performed, the fifth switch and the sixth switch are turned off to stop the auxiliary power supply operation.

4. The amplifier device as described in claim 1, further comprising: A first current source is coupled between the fifth switch and the second high voltage level; And a second current source, coupled between the sixth switch and the second low voltage level.

5. The amplifier device as described in claim 4, wherein the magnitude of a current provided by the first current source is the same as the magnitude of a current provided by the second current source.

6. An amplifier device comprising: an amplifier circuit; a power supply capacitor; a first switch coupled between a first high voltage level and a first terminal of the power supply capacitor; a second switch coupled between a first low voltage level and a second terminal of the power supply capacitor, the first high voltage level being higher than the first low voltage level; a third switch coupled between the first terminal of the power supply capacitor and a first node of the amplifier circuit; a fourth switch coupled between the second terminal of the power supply capacitor and a second node of the amplifier circuit; a fifth switch coupled between the first terminal of the power supply capacitor and a second high voltage level; and a sixth switch coupled between the second terminal of the power supply capacitor and a second low voltage level, the second high voltage level being higher than the second low voltage level. When the first switch and the second switch are connected, the third switch and the fourth switch are disconnected to pre-charge the power supply capacitor; when the third switch and the fourth switch are connected, the first switch and the second switch are disconnected to discharge the power supply capacitor to the amplifier circuit, allowing the amplifier circuit to amplify a signal based on the charge stored in the power supply capacitor; and the fifth switch and the sixth switch are dynamically connected to provide auxiliary power to the amplifier circuit from the second high voltage level.

7. The amplifier device as described in claim 6, wherein at the end of the discharge operation, the fifth switch and the sixth switch are turned on to enable the second high voltage level to perform the auxiliary power supply operation for the amplifier circuit; when the pre-charge operation is performed and at the beginning of the discharge operation, the fifth switch and the sixth switch are turned off to stop the auxiliary power supply operation.

8. The amplifier device as described in claim 6, wherein at the beginning of the discharge operation, the fifth switch and the sixth switch are turned on to enable the second high voltage level to begin the auxiliary power supply operation for the amplifier circuit; when the pre-charge operation is performed and at the end of the discharge operation, the fifth switch and the sixth switch are turned off to stop the auxiliary power supply operation.

9. The amplifier device as described in claim 6, further comprising: A first current source is coupled between the fifth switch and the second high voltage level; And a second current source, coupled between the sixth switch and the second low voltage level.

10. The amplifier device as described in claim 9, wherein the magnitude of a current provided by the first current source is the same as the magnitude of a current provided by the second current source.

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