Amplifier Compensation Circuit for High-Frequency PSRR Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Miller compensation in amplifiers leads to poor power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) at high frequencies due to power supply voltage variations appearing at the output, which is undesirable in electronic systems.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a second compensation capacitor and a second isolating transistor with a biasing transistor in series, configured to maintain a stable node voltage despite power supply fluctuations, and using a voltage source circuit to bias transistors with a reference voltage invariant to power supply fluctuations, thereby reducing the impact of power supply ripples on the output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If Miller compensation is used to increase amplifier stability, then stability is improved, but power supply rejection ratio deteriorates at high frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamplifier stabilityVSAvoidpower supply rejection ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The compensation capacitor is divided into two segments: a first compensation capacitor connected between the output node and the gate of the first output transistor, and a second compensation capacitor connected between the output node and the gate of the second output transistor. This segmentation allows each capacitor to independently contribute to stability while minimizing their combined impact on PSRR, resolving the contradiction between stability improvement and PSRR degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If additional current sources are used to improve PSRR, then power supply rejection ratio is improved, but offset, noise, and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply rejection ratioVSAvoidoffset and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing transistor automatically adjusts the operating point of the isolating transistor based on the voltage at the compensation node, eliminating the need for external current sources or complex biasing circuits. This self-biasing mechanism maintains PSRR performance without introducing additional offset, noise, or power consumption penalties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3089360B1Apparatus and method for improving power supply rejection ratio
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 ANALOG DEVICES GLOBAL UNLTD
  • EP3089360B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3089360B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3089360B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A compensation capacitor can be added to an amplifier for stability. Disclosed are systems and methods for improving the power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) performance of an amplifier in the presence of one or more compensation capacitors.