Patent · US Expired

Fine step and large gain range programmable gain amplifier

US7098738B2 · kind B2 · utility

13Cited by
3References
38Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 24, 2003
Grant dateAug 29, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 18, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03G1/0088
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A programmable gain amplifier with three stages uses fine steps, has a large gain range, and is monotonic. The first stage comprises several amplifiers, each including a resistive feedback loop. The feedback loop comprises a series of resistors, with each resistor acting as a tap. Since the number of resistors in the loop is unchanging, monotonicity and stability is guaranteed when resistance is increased using successive taps. A switch system connects two taps at a time to an interpolation stage. Each of these taps corresponds to a specific resistor level, and thus a gain level. The interpolation stage uses a plurality of current sources inside a feedback amplifier to control the interpolation, in order to provide fine gain steps.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.