Feedback Amplifier Circuit for Low-Noise Sensor Signal Linearity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional low noise amplifiers (LNAs) face challenges in achieving high accuracy, high linearity, and low noise levels while maintaining low power consumption, especially when amplifying small signals from sensors.

Innovation Solution

The amplifier circuit employs a series connection of PMOS and NMOS transistors with feedback loops and resistor networks, incorporating a current conveyer circuit to enhance linearity and reduce thermal dependencies, and uses stacked differential pairs and class AB stages to improve signal-to-noise ratio and reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional low noise amplifiers use additional circuit components to achieve low noise levels, then noise performance is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the noise reduction function and power management into a unified feedback loop architecture. The loop amplifier integrates multiple functions (noise optimization, gain control, linearity improvement) into a single circuit structure, eliminating the need for separate noise reduction circuits that would increase power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a feedback loop that continuously monitors and optimizes the amplifier's noise performance while simultaneously managing power consumption. The feedback mechanism adjusts operating parameters to maintain low noise levels without requiring additional power-hungry components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If conventional amplifiers use feedback loops to ensure high accuracy and linearity, then signal fidelity is improved, but circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal accuracyVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loop amplifier is designed as a multi-functional circuit that simultaneously provides accuracy enhancement, linearity improvement, and noise optimization. This universal approach allows a single feedback structure to address multiple performance requirements without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback loop is designed to provide multiple benefits (accuracy, linearity, noise performance) through a unified control mechanism. The feedback path uses a compact architecture that achieves high signal fidelity without requiring multiple separate correction circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Power

If the amplifier uses high input impedance to amplify small sensor signals, then signal amplification is improved, but noise susceptibility increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal amplification capabilityVSAvoidnoise susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback loop actively compensates for noise introduced by high input impedance. By continuously monitoring the output and adjusting the input stage, the feedback mechanism maintains high impedance for signal amplification while suppressing noise through active control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The loop amplifier acts as an intermediary between the high-impedance input stage and the output stage. It buffers and conditions the signal, allowing the input stage to maintain high impedance for sensitivity while the intermediary stage manages noise and prepares the signal for output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3918710B1Amplifier circuit
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 AUSTRIAMICROSYSTEMS AG
  • EP3918710B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3918710B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3918710B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An amplifier circuit includes a circuit path (320) of serially connected complementary type transistors (Mp1, Mn1). First and second feedback loops include a loop amplifier (301), the transistors (Mp1, Mn1) of the circuit path (320) and a corresponding resistor (302, 303).