Signal samplers with enhanced dynamic range
US7221191B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 2005 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 6, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03M1/442
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Signal sampler embodiments are provided for processing input signals along signal paths in response to mode-command signals. They include a follower transistor with a control terminal and a current terminal that establish at least part of a signal path. They also include a switched-capacitor network that receives signals from the current terminal in response to a first mode-command signal and that couple a selected one of a set of reference signals to the current terminal in response to a second mode-command signal. During a second mode-command signal, a bias switch is arranged to bias off the follower transistor by coupling a bias signal to the control terminal that approximates the selected reference signal. Accordingly, the amplitude of the reference signals can be increased to facilitate an increased dynamic range of the input signals without biasing the follower transistor into breakdown.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.