US Patent 7474151 Active load with adjustable common-mode level

A differential preamplifier includes an active load with adjustable common-mode output level. The active load includes a transistor pair, a resistor pair, and a current source. The transistor load is employed to provide high gain, low offset, and a large bandwidth for the differential preamplifier. The resistor pair and current source are used to increase the common-mode output level of the differential preamplifier and to bias the transistor load. The current source can be varied to provide an adjustable common-mode output level suitable for driving next stage devices. The active load design allows the differential preamplifier to operate using only low power voltage supplies and with small-sized transistors.