Comparator

Abstract

A comparator is disclosed, for comparing a first input voltage (e+) with a second input voltage (e−) and generating a corresponding output voltage (out). The comparator comprises: a first input terminal (e+) for receiving the first input voltage: a second input terminal (e−) for receiving the second input voltage; an output terminal (out) for outputting the output voltage; a first supply rail (VCC) for providing a first supply voltage; and a second supply rail (VDD) for providing a second supply voltage. The comparator further comprises: a follower stage comprising a first follower stage supply terminal coupled to the first supply rail, a second follower stage supply terminal coupled to the second supply rail, a follower stage input terminal coupled to the second input terminal, and a follower stage output terminal for providing a follower stage output voltage; and an inverter stage comprising a first inverter stage supply terminal coupled to the first supply rail, a second inverter stage supply terminal coupled to the follower stage output terminal, an inverter stage input terminal coupled to the first input terminal, and an inverter stage output terminal for providing an inverter stage output voltage and coupled to the output terminal.

1 . A comparator for comparing a first input voltage with a second input voltage and generating a corresponding output voltage, the comparator comprising:
 a first input terminal for receiving the first input voltage:   a second input terminal for receiving the second input voltage;   an output terminal for outputting the output voltage;   a first supply rail for providing a first supply voltage; and   a second supply rail for providing a second supply voltage,   the comparator further comprising:   a follower stage comprising a first follower stage supply terminal coupled to the first supply rail, a second follower stage supply terminal coupled to the second supply rail, a follower stage input terminal coupled to the second input terminal, and a follower stage output terminal for providing a follower stage output voltage; and an inverter stage comprising a first inverter stage supply terminal coupled to the first supply rail, a second inverter stage supply terminal coupled to the follower stage output terminal, an inverter stage input terminal coupled to the first input terminal, and an inverter stage output terminal for providing an inverter stage output voltage and coupled to the output terminal.   
     
     
         2 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the follower stave comprises tuning means for adjusting the follower stage output voltage as a function of voltage provided to the follower stage input terminal. 
     
     
         3 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the follower stage tuning means comprises a resistor. 
     
     
         4 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said resistor is a variable resistor. 
     
     
         5 . A comparator in accordance with any preceding  claim 1 , wherein the inverter stage comprises timing means for adjusting the inverter stage output voltage as a function of voltage provided to the inverter stage input terminal. 
     
     
         6 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the inverter stage tuning means comprises a resistor. 
     
     
         7 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said resistor is a variable resistor. 
     
     
         8 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising signal conditioning means coupled between the inverter stage output terminal and the comparator output terminal. 
     
     
         9 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the inverter stage output voltage has a first range, in use, determined by the voltage applied to the first supply rail and by the follower stage output voltage, and the signal conditioning means is adapted to generate, from the inverter stage output voltage, a comparator output voltage at the comparator output terminal having a second range, where the second range is larger than the first range. 
     
     
         10 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said second range extends substantially from a voltage supplied to the first supply rail to a voltage supplied to the second supply rail. 
     
     
         11 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the first supply voltage is a positive supply voltage. 
     
     
         12 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said second supply rail is connected to ground. 
     
     
         13 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 12 , further comprising a voltage converter coupled to the first and second supply rails and to the second follower stage supply terminal and arranged to generate a negative supply voltage and supply said negative supply voltage to the second follower stage supply terminal. 
     
     
         14 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the second supply voltage is a negative supply voltage. 
     
     
         15 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the follower stage comprises a transistor. 
     
     
         16 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein said transistor is an enhancement mode field effect transistor, FET. 
     
     
         17 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said FET has a gate terminal coupled to the follower stage input terminal, a drain terminal coupled to the first follower stage supply terminal, and a source terminal coupled to the follower stage output terminal and to the second follower stage supply terminal. 
     
     
         18 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein the source terminal is coupled to the second follower stage supply terminal by a resistor. 
     
     
         19 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the inverter stage comprises a transistor, 
     
     
         20 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein said inverter stage transistor is an enhancement mode field effect transistor, FET. 
     
     
         21 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein said inverter stage FET has a gate terminal coupled to the inverter stage input terminal, a drain terminal coupled to the first inverter stage supply terminal and to the inverter stage output terminal, and a source terminal coupled to the follower stage output terminal. 
     
     
         22 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the inverter stage FET drain terminal is coupled to the first inverter stage supply terminal by a resistor. 
     
     
         23 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising;
 a controllable switching device arranged to couple the first follower stage supply terminal to the first supply rail, the switching device being controllable to switch between a first state, in which it electrically connects the first follower supply terminal to the first supply rail, and a second state, in which it electrically disconnects the first follower supply terminal from the first supply rail; and control means arranged to control the controllable switching device.   
     
     
         24 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein said control means comprises an oscillator, having an output arranged to control the switching device to alternate between the first and second states. 
     
     
         25 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising filtering means arranged between the inverter stage output terminal and the comparator output terminal to filter at least one frequency component from the output voltage. 
     
     
         26 . A comparator in accordance with  claim 25 , as depending from  claim 24 , wherein the oscillator output has a fundamental frequency, and the filtering means is arranged to filter out at least said fundamental frequency. 
     
     
         27 . Apparatus including a comparator in accordance with  claim 1 . 
     
     
         28 . A comparator, or apparatus including a comparator, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.