Data signal amplifier with automatically controllable dynamic signal range
US6486808B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/78
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A preamplifier stage with dynamically controllable signal gain in a data signal processing circuit that includes a downstream analog-to-digital signal converter. The level of the data signal subsequent to its preamplification is monitored and the gain of the preamplifier stage is dynamically adjusted in response to such data signal transcending one or more predetermined thresholds. Hence, the effective dynamic range of the preamplifier stage is extended, thereby also effectively extending the dynamic range of the overall system beyond that to which it would have otherwise been limited by the dynamic range of the analog-to-digital signal converter. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, such a preamplifier is used in an X-ray imaging system such as that using flat panel solid state imaging devices.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.