Amplifier with programmable off voltage
US8514015B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 2008 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F2203/7236
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An amplifier with multiple stages and having improved reliability is described. The multiple amplifier stages are coupled in parallel and include at least one switchable amplifier stage. Each switchable amplifier stage may be operated in an on state or an off state and includes a gain transistor and a cascode transistor. The gain transistor amplifies an input signal and provides an amplified signal in the on state and is disabled in the off state. The cascode transistor buffers the amplified signal and provides an output signal in the on state and is disabled based on an off voltage in the off state. The off voltage may be greater than zero volts or may have one of multiple possible values. The off voltage may be generated based on an output signal level, e.g., may be set to different values for different ranges of output signal level.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.