7.3.4 Rail-to-Rail Input

The specified input common-mode voltage range of the OPA357 extends 100 mV beyond the supply rails. This range is achieved with a complementary input stage—an N-channel input differential pair in parallel with a P-channel differential pair; see the Functional Block Diagram section. The N-channel pair is active for input voltages close to the positive rail, typically (V+) − 1.2 V to 100 mV above the positive supply, whereas the P-channel pair is on for inputs from 100 mV below the negative supply to approximately (V+) − 1.2 V. There is a small transition region, typically (V+) − 1.5 V to (V+) − 0.9 V, in which both pairs are on. This 600-mV transition region can vary ±500 mV with process variation. Thus, the transition region (both input stages on) can range from (V+) − 2.0 V to (V+) − 1.5 V on the low end, up to (V+) − 0.9 V to (V+) − 0.4 V on the high end.

A double-folded cascode adds the signal from the two input pairs and presents a differential signal to the class AB output stage.