Stunningly consistent complementary differential amp circuitry

[Franki]

I just found a really beautiful and consistent complementary differential amp circuit that I just wanted to share with everyone.

Usually I'm not into spamming people with unrelated circuits, but this one looks just gorrgeous *SteveIrvine*, just look at its delicate yet consistent current mirrors, even these are complementary!

I have no idea whether this circuit actually works, but it would be a pain in the ass if it didn't. On the other hand, there is just one way to find out...

full size
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6778014-0-large.jpg
here's the link, unfortunately, it's patented, but hopefully, there is a variant in the doc that is prior art:
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6778014.html
I feel like I need to put that in a simulator somewhen just for the fun of seeing how it works.

[Zero999]

The only way to prove it works, is to etch it onto silicon. It won't work when made from discrete components because they won't be matched.

I wonder they have an op-amp based on this design?

[scrat]

I agree with Hero, and (although I'm not an integration designer) I think there are many differential stages like this on the ICs we use every day. BTW, I don't see what that inverter on the output stands for...

[Franki]

The only way to prove it works, is to etch it onto silicon. It won't work when made from discrete components because they won't be matched.

strictly speaking, you are right, but for testing purposes, one may use a pot to cancel out manufactorung differences.

I wonder they have an op-amp based on this design?

I haven's seen any in ICs.

There are a few power amps using complementary differential circuitries, but I haven't seen any using FETs or MOSFETs for that, they all use bipolar transistors and they only use it in some intermediate stages. Just like this one:

source by some unknown audio hobbyist:
http://www.littlefishbicycles.com/poweramp/

[Zero999]

The CA3160 was almost entirely CMOS.
http://www.intersil.com/data/fn/fn976.pdf