A comparator circuit for comparing a differential input signal to a
reference signal. A differential MOS transistor pair is provided having
respective gates for receiving the positive and negative components of the
differential input signal. A tail current source is coupled to the common
sources of the transistor pair, with the current magnitude being related
to the reference signal magnitude. The first and second transistors are
made differently, typically by making the sizes different, so that the
gate-source voltages differ when the transistor currents are equal. A
comparator stage provides a digital output which changes state when the
transistor currents are equal, with the difference in gate-source voltage
representing the comparator trip voltage, a trip voltage related to the
magnitude of the reference signal.