Abstract: In one system embodiment, the system is characterized by: a differential amplifier including but not limited to at least one amplifying transistor having an emitter coupled directly to a ground. In one embodiment of a method of making a system, the method is characterized by: operably coupling at least one amplifying transistor of a differential amplifier directly to a ground. In one embodiment of a method of driving a system, the method is characterized by: driving at least one amplifying transistor of a differential amplifier with an emitter-follower feedback loop. In one system embodiment, the system is characterized by: a differential amplifier including but not limited to a first amplifying transistor having a base operably coupled with a first emitter-follower feedback loop.

Abstract: The power control system utilizing a normal average power control loop to control average power and modulation level of an optic signal generated by an optic signal generator. The target average power is adjusted by a small percentage, and the corresponding change in bias current needed to adjust the average power level is monitored. The change in average power divided by the change in bias current is a measure of the optic signal generator's slope efficiency. Modulation current is adjusted up or down based on the change in slope efficiency compared to the slope efficiency stored at the time of module calibration. By adjusting the modulation current, the desired optic signal output from the transmitter may be maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for signal amplification and decision device operation on a signal which has a magnitude, peak value, or other average power that varies over time. In general, a peak detector detects the peak value of a received signal and responsive to the peak value, selectively enables a decision device when the signal is amplified to increase decision device accuracy. The decision may occur before the amplification forces the signal into saturation. Multi-stage amplification in combination with controlled switching or multiplexing may be utilized to selectively amplify the signal and selectively initiate decision device operation. The peak detector value may also control signal amplification levels in a multi-stage amplifier. Responsive to the peak value, a switch, which receives as its input the output from one or more amplifier stages, may be controlled to output the signal after a desired amount of amplification.

Abstract: In one system embodiment, the system is characterized by: a differential amplifier including but not limited to at least one amplifying transistor having an emitter coupled directly to a ground. In one embodiment of a method of making a system, the method is characterized by: operably coupling at least one amplifying transistor of a differential amplifier directly to a ground. In one embodiment of a method of driving a system, the method is characterized by: driving at least one amplifying transistor of a differential amplifier with an emitter-follower feedback loop. In one system embodiment, the system is characterized by: a differential amplifier including but not limited to a first amplifying transistor having a base operably coupled with a first emitter-follower feedback loop.

Abstract: A differential amplifier in the form of a Gilbert gain cell is controlled by a pair of input currents applied to a pair of differentially coupled transistor pairs. A digital signal is generated and input into a CMOS digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The DAC outputs a pair of currents on conductors which are maintained at virtual ground by the use of a current mirror and an operational amplifier. The control signals applied to the differentially coupled transistor pairs are generated as base currents of transistors conducting the DAC output currents.