Actually many class AB output stage design utilises a minimum current selector in both bipolar and MOS processes. This head-to-tail coupling design is the most elegent one.
The important feature is that no output transistors (M25, M26) are completely turned-off, improving the speed and stability.
Also the class AB coupling is very strong, (i.e. no current leakage between M19, and M20), so that it can be driven by a single input. This enables fully-differential opamp designs. |