Variable gain mixer circuit
US6807406B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03G3/3036
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a receiver system is provided with a variable gain mixer circuit that is advantageous over current architectures used in wireless communication systems. The use of a variable gain mixer circuit simplifies the receiver architecture resulting in the elimination of additional circuit blocks and a reduction in complexity and cost. Moreover, one embodiment of the present invention includes a mixer circuit comprising a mixer core, a bias circuit coupled to the mixer core for providing a bias current, and a variable impedance network. The mixer core receives input signals and generates output currents that are coupled to the variable impedance network. Each of the output currents are selectively coupled to a voltage output node through a variable impedance. Variable gain is established by varying the impedance between the output currents of the mixer core and the voltage output node.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.