Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing a wide dynamic range analog signal which comprises multiple components such as a signal with an in-phase component and a quadrature-phase component in for example separate I and Q data channels, wherein each channel has a dynamic range compressor stage and an operator stage which processes the compressed signals. Optionally the apparatus has a dynamic range expander stage following the operator stage. A method according to the invention involves processing I and Q information after first independently compressing the dynamic range of the signal according to a logarithmic transfer characteristic over a frequency range of interest. A mathematical operation through a F(i,q) function (corresponding to the operator stage) is performed on the compressed components, thereby producing normalized components. The operating transfer function F(i,q) cross links the data channels to effect normalization based on amplitude of information in each of the channels.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for processing a wide dynamic range analog signal which comprises a compressive nonlinear transfer function responsive to the average amplitude of the signal without feedback along the signal path. The invention employs frequency selective filtering and expansion of the compressed signal. The invention is applicable to any analog signal system having a plurality of channels carrying related signal information.