Patent · US Active

Variable-gain low noise amplifier for digital terrestrial applications

US8437720B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
53References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 19, 2009
Grant dateMay 7, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 23, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04B1/18
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method is disclosed for adjusting a gain of an amplifier assembly array. The amplifier assembly array includes a first stage to provide an amplified signal based upon an input signal. The first stage has a variable gain controlled in response to one or more gain control signals. An Automatic Gain Control (AGC) module generates the one or more gain control signals according to a ramp function in response to a power level of the amplified signal. The first stage may include a first low noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify the input signal to provide a first amplified input signal and a second LNA to amplify a second input signal to provide a second amplified signal. A switch selects between the amplified signal and the second amplified signal to provide the amplified signal. The amplifier assembly array may additionally include a second stage to provide a second amplified signal based upon the amplified signal. The second stage may include a third LNA to amplify one or more used channels of the amplified signal and a fourth LNA to amplify one or more unused channels of the amplified signal.

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