Abstract: A Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter circuit (60) includes delay elements (63, 64, 66), multipliers (71, 72, 73, 74), a summing device (78), and a digital integrator (69) at the output of the FIR filter circuit (60). A method for processing data using the FIR filter circuit (60) includes differentially encoding data prior to storing or processing of the data. The method provides a technique for compressing data since less memory is needed to store derivative data. The method further includes integrating the derivative data using the digital integrator (69) to decompress the derivative data.

Abstract: A differential amplifier (10) receives a differential input signal (V.sub.IN). The input signal is attenuated by a first attenuator (12) and applied to a tan h amplifier (16). The input signal is also attenuated by a second attenuator (14) and applied to a sin h amplifier (18). The input signals to the tan h amplifier and sin h amplifier are independently attenuated. The transfer functions of the tan h amplifier and the sin h amplifier each have a linear region and a non-linear region. The output of the tan h amplifier and the sin h amplifier are summed (26) so that the non-linear region of the tan h amplifier cancels with the non-linear region of the sin h amplifier. The overall transfer function of the differential amplifier is linear over a wide range of input signal amplitudes by the cancellation of the non-linear regions.