Abstract: Differential signals are linearly amplified in a differential amplifier (16) and provided to a large dynamic range A/D converter (11). The differential amplifier (16) is optimized for linear performance for positive output signals at the expense of negative output signals. The A/D converter subsystem (10) provides up to a ten or twelve bit output and is fabricated on a single monolithic chip. A ten to twenty dB improvement in linearity is achieved over discrete designs. Power consumption is significantly reduced by operating the amplifiers over lower voltage ranges. The integration of an entire A/D subsystem (10) including high level amplification is achieved on a single chip.