Patent · US Active

Voltage controlled variable attenuator

US8736344B1 · kind B1 · utility

1Cited by
11References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 30, 2012
Grant dateMay 27, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 30, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03H11/245
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Voltage controlled variable attenuators are described that are configured to be coupled to a transmission path to furnish variable attenuation of a signal, such as a radio frequency signal. In one or more implementations, the voltage controlled variable attenuator includes at least one transistor. The transistor has an open configuration for at least substantially preventing the flow of current through the transistor, and a closed configuration for at least partially allowing the flow of current through the transistor. The variable attenuator also includes a resistive component coupled to the transistor, and configured to couple to the transmission path. The resistive component is configured to at least partially mitigate non-linear effect when the transistor transitions from the open configuration to the closed configuration. The transistor and the resistive component are configured to at least partially attenuate a signal transmitted along the transmission path when the transistor is in the closed configuration.

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