Cross-Coupled Differential Amplifier for Ultra-Broadband Gain Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing differential amplifiers struggle to achieve enhanced gain over an ultra-broad band without gain drop, particularly in high-frequency communication applications.

Innovation Solution

A differential amplifier design comprising single-ended amplifying means connected via transmission lines with capacitors and passive elements, configured to maintain a stability factor of nearly one across a desired frequency range, ensuring enhanced gain without gain drop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If LC resonance circuits are used to enhance gain at high frequency, then high-frequency gain is improved, but gain drop occurs and ultra-broad band amplification cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehigh-frequency gainVSAvoidbandwidth
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the circuit configuration from conventional single-ended or differential amplifiers to a coupled single-ended amplifier topology with specific cross-coupling connections. This structural parameter change enables the amplifier to achieve enhanced gain across an ultra-broad frequency band without the gain drop that occurs with LC resonance circuits, thereby resolving the contradiction between high-frequency gain and bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If conventional differential amplifier configurations are used, then circuit simplicity is maintained, but enhanced gain over ultra-broad band cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecircuit configurationVSAvoidgain
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the amplifier into two separate single-ended amplifying means with independent gain stages. Each amplifying means processes one signal path, and their outputs are combined through cross-coupling. This segmentation allows each stage to contribute to the overall gain while maintaining ultra-broad band operation, achieving enhanced gain without excessive circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces transmission lines as intermediary elements that connect the amplifying means in a cross-coupled configuration. These transmission lines facilitate signal transfer and interaction between the two amplifying means, enabling the coupled operation that produces enhanced gain across the ultra-broad frequency band while keeping the overall circuit structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If gain enhancement is achieved through conventional means, then amplification is improved, but gain drop occurs over broad bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveamplificationVSAvoidgain stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a cross-coupling feedback mechanism where the output of each single-ended amplifying means is fed back to the input of the other through transmission lines. This feedback arrangement stabilizes the overall gain across the ultra-broad frequency band by compensating for variations in individual stages, thereby preventing gain drop and maintaining stable amplification performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12519439B2Differential amplifier and method for enhancing gain of a differential amplifier
Publication Date: 2026.01.06 INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO ELECTRONICS CENT (IMEC VZW)
  • US12519439B2 patent drawing
  • US12519439B2 patent drawing
  • US12519439B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A differential amplifier is provided. The differential amplifier includes a first single-ended amplifying means including at least a first terminal and a second terminal, a second single-ended amplifying means including at least a first terminal and a second terminal, a first transmission line, and a second transmission line. In this context, the first terminal of the first single-ended amplifying means is connected to the second terminal of the second single-ended amplifying means via the first transmission line. In addition to this, the first terminal of the second single-ended amplifying means is connected to the second terminal of the first single-ended amplifying means via the second transmission line.