Abstract: The invention relates to a receiver (1) comprising an amplifier (31-34) for amplifying an antenna signal, which amplifier (31-34) comprises an amplifier input (11a) and an amplifier output (12a,12b), the amplifier input (11a) being a single ended input for receiving the antenna signal, the amplifier output (12a, 12b) being a differential output, and the amplifier (31-34) comprising circuit (41,42) for reducing a common mode input impedance of the amplifier (31-34).

Abstract: At microwave frequencies, the use of transmission lines as a design element becomes interesting due to the small wavelengths. Inductors as part of an on-chip resonator can be made with a shorted stub, which is a transmission line, shorted at the end. Placing a MIM-capacitor at the beginning of the shorted stub can make a resonator. Shielding this kind of resonator by means of vias or stacked vias enables very compact filter designs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a receiver (1) comprising an amplifier (31-34) for amplifying an antenna signal, which amplifier (31-34) comprises an amplifier input (11a) and an amplifier output (12a, 12b), the amplifier input (11a) being a single ended input for receiving the antenna signal, the amplifier output (12a, 12b) being a differential output, and the amplifier (31-34) comprising a circuit (54) for compensating a series input impedance of the amplifier (31-34).

Abstract: Present invention relates to an oscillator circuit comprising: resonator means (102) and, first and second emitter followers (116, 118) being symmetrically coupled to the resonator means and been connected to further emitter followers (120, 122) for providing capacitive loading.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Current mirror for generating a constant mirror ratio, comprising an output transistor (Tout) having a base, an emitter and a collector, wherein a current flowing through the collector of said output transistor (Tout) constitutes an output current (Iout) of said current mirror and the collector of said output transistor (Tout) is connectable to an output circuit, a buffer transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector, wherein the emitter of the buffer transistor is connected to the base of the output transistor, a buffer current source for providing a fixed buffer current, wherein said buffer current source is connected to the collector of the buffer transistor, and a buffer base voltage control means having an input connected to the base of the output transistor and an output connected to the base of the buffer transistor, wherein the base voltage control means is adapted to controlling a voltage at the base of the buffer transistor in response to a current at the inpu

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amplifier intended to deliver to a load impedance RL connected between two output terminals of the amplifier an output current Iout which is representative of an input signal (Vin, ?Vin) applied to two input terminals of the amplifier, which amplifier includes a first and a second transistor T1 and T2 connected as a differential pair around the load impedance RL. The amplifier according to the invention further includes a third and a fourth transistor T3 and T4 which form a differential pair; degenerated by means of a degenerating impedance Req which has a nominal value equal to that of the load impedance RL of the amplifier, which differential pair (T3, T4) is intended to be controlled by means of a control signal (?Vin/2, Vin/2), in anti-phase with the input signal (Vin, ?Vin). The invention permits to double the output current Iout of the amplifier without, however, increasing its power consumption.

Abstract: Present invention relates to an oscillator circuit comprising: resonator means (102) and, first and second emitter followers (116, 118) being symmetrically coupled to the resonator means and been connected to further emitter followers (120, 122) for providing capacitive loading.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator comprising a LC tank circuit coupled to a pair of transistors and crossed-coupled to a pair of emitter follower transistors each transistor having a collector, an emitter and a base, the voltage controlled oscillator being characterized in that a supply voltage applied to the collectors of the emitter follower transistors is substantially different from a supply voltage applied to the bases of the emitter follower transistors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Current mirror for generating a constant mirror ratio, comprising an output transistor (Tout) having a base, an emitter and a collector, wherein a current flowing through the collector of said output transistor (Tout) constitutes an output current (Iout) of said current mirror and the collector of said output transistor (Tout) is connectable to an output circuit, a buffer transistor having a base, an emitter and a collector, wherein the emitter of the buffer transistor is connected to the base of the output transistor, a buffer current source for providing a fixed buffer current, wherein said buffer current source is connected to the collector of the buffer transistor, and a buffer base voltage control means having an input connected to the base of the output transistor and an output connected to the base of the buffer transistor, wherein the base voltage control means is adapted to controlling a voltage at the base of the buffer transistor in response to a current at the inpu

Abstract: The invention relates to a planar inductive component arranged over a substrate (103). The substrate in a first plane, a patterned ground shield (102), for shielding the winding (101) from the substrate (103). The winding (101) is at least substantially symmetrical plane. The patterned ground shield (102) comprises a plurality of electrical conductive first tracks (105) situated in a first ground shield plane in parallel with the first plane. The first tracks have an orientation perpendicular to the mirror plane (104). Without the patterned ground shield (102) the winding (101) is capacitively coupled to the substrate (103). The substrate resistance results in a degradation of the quality factor of the inductive component (100). The patterned ground shield (102) shields the winding (101) from the substrate (103), thereby eliminating the degrading effect of the substrate.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator comprising a LC tank circuit (L1, L2, VD1, VD2) coupled to a pair of transistors (T2, T3) and crossed-coupled to a pair of emitter follower transistors (T0, T4) each transistor having a collector, an emitter and a base, the voltage controlled oscillator being characterized in that a supply voltage applied to the collectors of the emitter follower transistors (T0, T4) is substantially different from a supply voltage applied to the bases of the emitter follower transistors (T0, T4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reading of magnetic information. In an example embodiment, a read head includes a magneto-resistive rod polarized with an electrical signal. The magneto-resistive rod supplies a data signal whose variations are representative of magnetic-field variations to which the read head is exposed. Included in the embodiment, there is a compression of the data signal triggered when a thermal asperity is detected.

Abstract: A transmission lines arrangement comprising a first plurality of transmission lines each transmission line having an effective characteristic impedance. The arrangement further comprises a second plurality of transmission lines, said first plurality of transmission lines being coupled to a plurality of switching elements. The plurality of switching elements are conceived to redirect an input signal from one transmission line of the first plurality of transmission lines to at least one transmission line of the second plurality of transmission lines. The arrangement is characterized in that each of the switching elements of the plurality of switching elements have a relatively high input impedance in comparison with the effective characteristic impedance and a relatively high output impedance in comparison with the effective characteristic impedance.

Abstract: The invention provides a write driver circuit for writing an information signal on a magnetic record carrier. The write driver circuit comprises a first and a second input terminal (20,22) for receiving the information signal. A first current sink (24) is available, having a first transistor (T3) of a first type, having a first main electrode coupled to the first point of constant potential (+), having a second main electrode coupled to the first input (34) of a write head combination (32) via a first impedance (38), and a control electrode coupled to the first input terminal (20). A second current sink (28) is available having a second transistor (T4) of the first type, having a first main electrode coupled to the first point of constant potential (+), having a second main electrode coupled to the second input (36) of the write head combination via a second impedance (42), and a control electrode coupled to the second input terminal (22).

Abstract: A transmission lines arrangement comprising a first plurality of transmission lines each transmission line having an effective characteristic impedance. The arrangement further comprises a second plurality of transmission lines, said first plurality of transmission lines being coupled to a plurality of switching elements. The plurality of switching elements are conceived to redirect an input signal from one transmission line of the first plurality of transmission lines to at least one transmission line of the second plurality of transmission lines. The arrangement is characterized in that each of the switching elements of the plurality of switching elements have a relatively high input impedance in comparison with the effective characteristic impedance and a relatively high output impedance in comparison with the effective characteristic impedance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an amplifier intended to deliver to a load impedance RL connected between two output terminals of the amplifier an output current Iout which is representative of an input signal (Vin, −Vin) applied to two input terminals of the amplifier, which amplifier includes a first and a second transistor T1 and T2 connected as a differential pair around the load impedance RL.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reading magnetic information by means of a read head including a magneto-resistive rod RMR, which is to be polarized by means of an electrical signal Imr and serves to supply a data signal Vmr whose variations are representative of the magnetic-field variations to which the read head is exposed.

Abstract: An electronic circuit comprises coupled transconductors (TR1 and TR2). The transconductors comprise two complementary differential pairs whose outputs are connected directly to two output terminals. Two diodes (P3, N3) are arranged in series between the common terminals of the differential pairs. The common-mode voltage of the differential pairs is available on the node between the two diodes. The common-mode voltage of the one transconductor (TR2) is used to control one of the bias current sources of the other transconductor (TR1) and, if desired, also that of the one transconductor (TR2). In this way the common-mode voltage on the output terminals of the other transconductor (TR1) is fixed.