The Evolution Of Rail-to-Rail Amplifiers
by Mike Wong and Tamara Papalias, Intersil Corporation

Process scaling and low-power optimization have drawn rail-to-rail amplifiers into common use. This article traces the development and improvement of the rail-to-rail amplifier's input stage, with a review of design trade-offs and example devices, culminating with the description of an input enhancement circuit that overcomes the typical trade-offs associated with these amps.

For simplicity, the focus is on MOSFET amplifiers.

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