Dual push-pull high-speed rail-to-rail CMOS buffer amplifier for flat-panel displays

This paper presents the experimental validation of a low-power, large output swing, class-AB buffer amplifier for column drivers of active-matrix flatpanel displays. By exploiting two complementary input amplifiers and a dual-path push-pull output stage the proposed circuit achieves high-drive performance and rail-to-rail operation. In addition, two current boosters allow area optimization of the output diving transistors by dynamically lowering their threshold voltage. Implemented in a standard triple-well CMOS 0.35-μm technology and supplied from a 3-V supply, the proposed buffer amplifier can drive a 1-nF column line load within a 1.11-μs settling time under a full voltage swing, while drawing only 1.6 μA quiescent current and occupying 5562 μm2 of silicon area. As compared to the state of the art, the best Figure of Merit (pF/μ∙μA) is found.