Abstract: A CMOS amplifier output stage including a complementary output MOSFET transistor pair whose channels are connected together in series between a supply voltage and a reference potential, and whose gates are driven by a complementary MOSFET level shifting transistor pair and by bias voltage and current circuitry. Preferably, the level shifting transistor pair is a diode-connected NMOS transistor and a diode-connected PMOS transistor, the bias circuitry includes a source follower which drives the source of one of the diode-connected transistors with a current determined by an input voltage, all active elements of the invention are MOSFET transistors, and the minimum supply voltage required for operation is (V.sub.GS +2V.sub.SAT), where V.sub.GS is the largest source to gate voltage of the MOSFET transistors and V.sub.SAT is the largest source to drain voltage of the MOSFET transistors during operation in the saturation region. This allows operation with a supply voltage as low as 1.

Abstract: A class AB low voltage output stage with improved current drive capability where the signal input to the stage modulates the base drive currents of both an output transistor sourcing current to a load and an output transistor sinking current from the load. Coupling the base drive currents by means of the input amplifier permits higher drive currents to be obtained for the output transistors without increasing the quiescent current of the circuit.