Multi-Level Balanced Isolated Floating Difference Amplifier

Abstract

An innovative amplifier is proposed for applications involving high capacitive load and large voltage output swing, such as piezoelectric (PZT) actuator drivers. This amplifier is configured in a multi-level arrangement with floating amplifiers, yielding a high voltage gain as a sum of all individual gains from its operational amplifiers. The merits of such an amplifier also include a wide bandwidth and high potential power. Experiments using a six-level arrangement demonstrate a 100 kHz bandwidth with +/-200 V output swing for different capacitive loadings.