Abstract: In a differential amplifier and an operational amplifier each for amplifying a signal, a differential signal composed of first and second signals is inputted to a couple of input terminals (1, 2). When the voltage of the first signal is, e.g., less than the voltage value of a reference voltage source (15), a comparator (13) senses it and a switch circuit (12) switches to a first current source (6) and a current from a third current source (11) flows into the first current source (6) so that a current is inhibited from flowing in the first differential couple (4). As a result, the inputted differential signal is amplified and outputted only through a second differential couple (5). In a situation in which the voltage of the first signal exceeds the voltage of the reference voltage source (15), on the other hand, the switch circuit (12) switches to a current source (7) so that the inputted differential signal is amplified and outputted only through the first differential couple (4).

Abstract: A first second- or higher-order delta sigma modulator and a second second- or higher-order delta sigma modulator having a notch characteristic are cascaded together, and a delayed signal of the output of the first delta sigma modulator and a differential signal of the output of the second delta sigma modulator are added together. The amount of feedback from the output portion to the input portion of the first delta sigma modulator and the amount of feedback from the output portion to the input portion of the second delta sigma modulator are made the same.

Abstract: A delta-sigma modulation quantization loop, comprising an integration circuit for integrating the difference between an analog input signal and a feedback reference voltage, a local quantizer for quantizing the output of the integration circuit into a digital signal, and a DA converter for generating the feedback reference voltage from the digital output of the local quantizer, is used as a single stage, and a plurality of the stages are cascade-connected. In the second-stage and subsequent modulation quantization loops, the difference signal between the input of the local quantizer of the previous stage and the output of the DA converter of the previous stage is used as an analog input signal. The feedback reference voltages of the respective delta-sigma modulation quantization loops are set individually so as to be higher than the specified maximum voltage of the analog input signal to limit the gains of the respective delta-sigma modulation quantization loops.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to obtain a high precision notch filter or all-pass filter. Therefore, two transconductance circuits for adjustment, which perform a voltage-current conversion of a difference between a voltage of a filter input terminal and a voltage of a filter output terminal, are added to two integrators comprising two transconductance circuits for the integrators, and two capacitors. An output current of one transconductance circuit for adjustment is added to an output current of the transconductance circuit for the integrators, and an output current of the other transconductance circuit for adjustment is subtracted from an output current of the transconductance circuit for the integrators. Therefore, by adjusting conductance values of the two transconductance circuits for adjustment, even when non-ideal characteristics would exist in the transconductance circuits for the integrators, those can be canceled.

Abstract: To tune the center frequency of a gm-C filter, which is a bandpass filter with a narrow bandwidth, to a target frequency, only while the filter is being tuned, the original circuit configuration of the filter is replaced with an alternative configuration that realizes a high signal-to-noise ratio. A characteristic tuner generates and inputs an impulse signal, pulse signal or step signal to the filter being tuned and thereby detects and adjusts the center frequency of the filter. And the tuning result is stored on a nonvolatile memory for future reuse. When the filter is operated, the characteristic tuner stops operating to cut down the power dissipation.

Abstract: To tune the center frequency of a gm-C filter, which is a bandpass filter with a narrow bandwidth, to a target frequency, only while the filter is being tuned, the original circuit configuration of the filter is replaced with an alternative configuration that realizes a high signal-to-noise ratio. A characteristic tuner generates and inputs an impulse signal, pulse signal or step signal to the filter being tuned and thereby detects and adjusts the center frequency of the filter. And the tuning result is stored on a nonvolatile memory for future reuse. When the filter is operated, the characteristic tuner stops operating to cut down the power dissipation.

Abstract: A variable impedance circuit includes a first differential amplifier circuit having an input terminal pair, an output terminal pair and a capacitive element connected between the emitters of a transistor pair. The variable impedance circuit further inclludes a second differential amplifier circuit having an input terminal pair and an output terminal pair. The output terminal pair of the first differential amplifier circuit is connected to the input terminal pair of the second differential amplifier circuit. Furthermore, the output terminal pair of the second differential amplifier circuit is connected to the input terminal pair of the first differential amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of oxides of sulfur from combustion waste gases, which comprises cooling said waste gases and forming entrained particles of sodium compounds, consisting essentially of sodium carbonate, by spray contact with sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate, converting sodium carbonate in the particles to sodium sulfate by passing said oxides of sulphur containing waste gases and said sodium compound particles over plate-like packings, whereby said particles are comminuted to a finer particle size form so as to enhance the reaction of said sulfate particles with the oxides of sulfur in said waste gases, collecting entrained particles of said sodium compounds in a dust collector.