Abstract: A signal receiving and a signal transmitting unit converts an information carrying signal received at a first transmission rate to an information carrying signal transmitted at a second transmission rate that differs from the first transmission rate. Several inputs and outputs are available, each input structured for a transmission rate that is different from the transmission rates of remaining inputs, and each output structured for a transmission rate that is different from the transmission rates of remaining outputs. One signal receiving input can be connected to one signal transmitting output depending on signals occurring on one or more control conductors, wherein a selected control conductor and/or selected signal information selects and initiates a conversion mode having a selected conversion index.

Abstract: A limiting amplifier has between an amplifier input and an amplifier output at least one amplifier stage as well as load components. The amplifier has an output signal limiting device for limiting the maximum amplitude of the output signal and the amplification and includes a current drain device connected to the amplifier stage output and drawing current through the load components. More particularly, the amplifier stage can be a differential amplifier stage with a differential input and a differential output, two current drain devices being connected to each one of the terminals of the differential output.