Abstract: A linearizer for reducing intermodulation distortion in a non-linear device. The novel linearizer includes an input port for receiving a signal from the device and a circuit for effecting gain expansion on the signal that counteracts a gain compression of the device. In an illustrative embodiment, the circuit includes a starved limiter in shunt with the device, implemented using a pair of biased diodes D1 and D2. The first diode D1 is connected to ground and the second diode D2 is coupled to the signal. In an alternate embodiment, the linearizer also includes a second pair of biased diodes D3 and D4, D3 connected to ground and D4 coupled to the signal, and a plurality of reactive elements for increasing the operational bandwidth of the linearizer.

Abstract: A clamping circuit (10) including an input/output node (12), adapted to be coupled to the protected circuit or component; a first diode (D1) having an anode connected to the input/output node (12); a second diode (D2) having a cathode connected to the input/output node (12); a third diode (D3) connected between the cathode of the first diode (D1) at a first node (14) and the anode of the second diode (D2) at a second node (16); a first arrangement for supplying a first potential at the cathode of the first diode at first node (14); a second arrangement for supplying a second potential at the anode of the second diode at second node (16); a first capacitor (C1) connected between the cathode of the first diode at first node (14) and ground; and a second capacitor connected between the anode of the second diode at second node (16) and ground.