Universal Current-Mode Analogue Amplifiers

The contents of this chapter have been arranged into two major parts. The first part concentrates upon techniques which extend the capabilities of the VOA to achieve current-mode performance. Several current-converter circuit designs have been reported which employ the VOA, attempting to provide it with a well-defined current output facility. One of the most successful techniques is VOA supply current sensing, where current-mirrors are used to sense the output current of the VOA via its power supply rails. The authors have developed a number of novel circuit applications based upon VOA supply current sensing and a review of this work will be presented.