Abstract: A controlled power amplifier system (211) wherein a sample (225) of the output power level of an on/off switched power amplifier (215) is compared with a reference signal (227) to produce a power level control signal (275) that controls the output power level of the power amplifier (215). When the power amplifier (215) is switched off, the control signal (275) is maintained at the level it had just prior to the transition from an on to an off state. The switching is performed offset from the ends of each switched power amplifier pulse envelope to allow the pulse amplitude to be leveled in the center of the pulse and yet allow the pulse rise and fall times of the pulse envelope to follow the power amplifier input.

Abstract: A pulse amplifier has a driver stage and a following splitter/combiner stage for power division onto two output stages connected in parallel as well as a further splitter/combiner stage that combines the output signals of the output stages. The two splitter/combiner stages each comprise a respective further decoupled port each of which is respectively connected to a switch-over device. The further ports are connected to terminating impedances in a first switch position of the switch-over devices and are connected to one another via an additional signal path in a second switch position and the output stages can be respectively terminated with low impedances at their input sides and output sides via switch elements.

Abstract: A first amplifier stage receives electrical signals generated by a musical instrument and provides an output signal. A second amplifier stage is driven by the output signal from the first amplifier stage as switch selectively connects an attenuator to the first amplifier stage to attenuate the output signal thereof and selectively connects a gain modifying circuit to the first stage. In a first mode, the attenuator is connected to the first amplifier stage and the gain modifying circuit is disconnected from the first amplifier stage. As a result, an output signal from the first amplifier stage has a level which drives the second amplifier stage to provide a substantially linear output signal therefrom. In a second mode, the attenuator is disconnected from the first amplifier stage and the gain modifying circuit is connected to the first amplifier stage.

Abstract: A power amplifier is provided for amplifying a radio frequency signal such as in a burst modulation manner for use in GSM cellular radio. The amplifier has means, such as a ROM (16), for producing a predetermined sequence of values in response to a control pulse. Means (21) are provided for converting each value into a power control signal, and control means (9) are provided for controlling the amplifier output power in accordance with said power control signal. In this manner, the power/time characteristic can be made to take the form of a raised cosine. The invention also provides power selection means for selecting a nominal output level from a plurality of discrete levels and for selecting power sub-levels offset from said selected level. An indication is recorded as to which sub-level best represents the nominal power level.

Abstract: Appropriately constructed differential amplifiers are suitable as wideband multiplexers. It is the object of the invention to use such amplifiers in conjunction with a measuring range switch. For this purpose, the differential amplifier is equipped with at least three differential amplifier stages, all of which have a common input and different gain due to different current feedback resistors. The switching is effected through blocking transistors, only one of which is optionally switched on in each case and connects a common current source to the associated differential amplifier stage. The invention can be used in measuring technology for multimeters and oscilloscopes.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit having an FET connected in series with a resistor coupled to a constant voltage source, coupled between a pair of amplifiers, such as audio amplifiers in a two-stage amplifying circuit. The FET specifically and directly determines the amount of gain of the two-stage amplifier, or the like. R.sub.DS of the FET is continually monitored by its connection to one input of an amplifier serving as a comparator, with the other input thereof serving as a reference voltage derived from a modulated signal emanating from a microprocessor. Each of the signals V.sub.DS, and the reference from the microprocessor is filtered through a low pass filter to remove the audio, or other cyclical signals, and, in the latter case, in order to provide a substantially constant reference voltage to the input of the comparator. The output of the comparator is coupled to an RC circuit, the capacitor thereof being continually charged and discharged in response to the state of the output of the comparator.

Abstract: A modification unit for a musical instrument amplifier includes a modification circuit and a connector for connecting the modification circuit to a tube socket in place of one of the tubes in the pre-amp stage of the amplifier. The pre-amp includes at least a gain stage with a gain tube and a socket for receiving the gain tube where the tube socket has at least one plate contact, at least one cathode contact and at least one filament (heater) contact. The modification circuit includes a jack for receiving an electronic signal originated by the musical instrument and a circuitry for modifying the received electronic signal to generate a modified signal.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion circuit comprises a level detection circuit for detecting the level of an analog input, an amplifier for amplifying the analog input with its amplification degree increased when the detected level is smaller than a predetermined level and decreased when the detected level is larger than a predetermined level, an analog-to-digital converter for analog-to-digital converting the output the amplifier and an attenuator provided in a posterior stage of the analog-to-digital converter for attenuating the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter in association with the amplification degree of the amplifier to maintain a total gain between the analog input and the digital output substantially constant irrespective of the level of the input signal.

Abstract: A continuously variable, passive attenuator including a signal path between an attenuator input node and an attenuator output node, the signal path including a passive resistive element connected between the input and output nodes, and a semiconductor element having a first terminal connected to the resistive element, a second terminal connected to a reference voltage, and a third terminal connected to a control signal node, the resistance of the semiconductor element between the first and second terminals being continuously variable as a function of the value of a control signal provided to the third terminal, the capacitance of the semiconductor element always being lessw than 4 pf.

Abstract: A power control circuit comprises a signal input, a controllable attenuator, an amplifier, an output, a power detector, a reference circuit, a comparator, an external control input, an error detector, and a controller. The comparator, error detector, and controller are digital circuits realized by a microprocessor. The attenuator is between the signal input and the input to the amplifier to regulate the amplifier's output. The power detector couples to the amplifier output to generate a measurement signal representing the power at the output. The reference circuit generates a reference signal representing a predetermined minimum output when the signal input is nonzero. The comparator compares the measurement and reference signals and generates a decision signal indicating if the signal input is nonzero. The external control input receives an external control signal.

Abstract: When impedance elements such as FETs are used in attenuators, the elements have linear responses only when the signals attenuated are below certain signal levels. When signal conditions causing the element to operate non-linearly are detected, bootstrapping is applied to reduce the voltage across the element so that the element will operate linearly. The control signal at the gate of the element is then modified to compensate for the increase in effective impedance of the element caused by bootstrapping. The improved attentuators are especially useful in signal compressors and expanders.

Abstract: The drain-source conductance of a wide variety of FETs can be made to conform to a predetermined function of a control signal. The control signal is multiplied by a factor and an offset is added or subtracted therefrom to derive a modified control signal. The modified control signal is then applied to the gate of a FET. The factor and the offset are such that the drain-source conductance of the transistor is substantially the predetermined function of the control signal. When a desired attenuator characteristic defined with respect to a FET is to be provided using a FET having characteristics different from those of the reference FET, the control signal to the FET used can be similarly modified so that the desired attenuator characteristics are obtained.

Abstract: A signal input circuit composed of a control member, such as a PIN diode, for controllable attenuation of an input signal, and reactances for selection of the input signal, wherein the signal frequency current is regulated by the control member such that the operating power required by the input circuit remains constant to the greatest possible degree in spite of the regulation.

Abstract: An output transistor of an RF power amplifier remains stable so that it does not generate subharmonic spurious outputs. An adaptive stabilization network maintains the stability of the output by decreasing the impedance presented to the output transistor when voltage levels at the output transistor exceed a predetermined level. A combination consisting of a peak detector coupled to a Zener diode senses the predetermined level. A PIN diode couples to the Zener diode and to the output transistor so that the PIN diode becomes forward biased when the predetermined level is exceeded.

Abstract: A circuit which attenuates an RF signal in response to a voltage level of a control signal is disclosed. A first PIN diode resides in series with an RF signal path, and a second PIN diode shunts the RF signal path to ground. A first differential amplifier responsive to the control signal drives the first PIN diode, and a second differential amplifier responsive to the control signal drives the second PIN diode. Gain and maximum current output for each of the amplifiers are independently controlled. Additionally, separate reference voltage sources may apply to one input of each of the differential amplifiers.

Abstract: A variable power amplifier having a constant current differential amplifier driving a cascaded driving amplifier, a variable power amplifier including a vacuum tube for selectively amplifying output signals wherein the drive of the variable power amplifier is determined by the plate shunt resistive loading of the vacuum tube, a push-pull amplifier including an output transformer operatively coupled to the variable power amplifier and to an amplifier output terminal to amplify and apply to the amplifier output terminal a selectively amplified output signal, and a variable damping circuit including a sensing element for sensing the loading on the output tranformer and a circuit for defining a feedback loop for producing a feedback signal having magnitude and polarity which are determined by the sensing element and wherein the variable damping circuit includes a circuit for applying the feedback signal as an input to the constant current differential amplifier to control the current level thereof as a function o

Abstract: A klystron is provided for supplying power with optimum efficiency across a variable impedance load. To attain this result, the field in the output cavity of a klystron is detected by a probe. This field supplies the image of the voltage at the terminals of the interaction gap. The signal supplied by the probe is used for adjusting the amplitude of the ultra-high frequency voltage applied to the input cavity so that the voltage of the terminals of the interaction gap remains less than the tolerable maximum whatever the ratio of standing waves reflected back by the output device.

Abstract: A preclipping control technique is utilized to prevent the occurrence of clipping distortions evidenced in the output of an amplifier. Reference means provides an upper voltage level slightly lower than the upper saturation or clipping level of the amplifier output signal, and also provides a lower voltage level slightly higher than the lower saturation or clipping level of the amplifier output signal. A comparator is connected to the output of the amplifier and compares the output signal with the reference levels. Under normal conditions, when the output signal is located within the range lying between the upper and lower reference levels, the amplifier input signal is not attenuated. However, when the output signal goes out of the range, this will activate an attenuator connected between a signal source and the amplifier to introduce a controlled attenuation in the amplifier input signal; clipping is prevented.

Abstract: A multistage amplifier with a low noise figure linearly amplifies an input signal having a level which varies over a wide range. The first stage of the amplifier provides a low noise figure and sufficient power gain to ensure overall low noise performance. An interstage amplifier is protected from saturation by first and second variable attenuators, which are controlled by a level detector. The level detector detects the level of the input or output signal of the interstage amplifier and controls the forward bias current of a diode in each of the variable attenuators. The first variable attenuator functions as a level compressor for signals input to the interstage amplifier having a level higher than a preset level. The second variable attenuator functions as a level expander of the output signal from the interstage amplifier to equalize the signal level compressed by the first variable attenuator.

Abstract: An amplifier system comprising an input transducer, an amplifier and an output transducer connected in cascade, and an automatic gain control circuit comprising a variable resistor for taking off a voltage which varies with the signal from the input transducer and supplies said voltage to a rectifier and an RC filter. The filter output is connected to the base of a first transistor having a collector that directly drives the base of a second transistor which is connected to the input of the amplifier in such a way that it bypasses the input signal of said amplifier to a greater extent as the signal across the variable resistor increases.

Abstract: A signal input circuit comprising a control member for the controllable attenuation of the input signal and firmly set reactances for the selection of the input signal, wherein the reactances are connected and dimensioned in such a way that there exists a circuit point which has a large impedance compared to the impedance of the signal source, and the control member acts upon this circuit point.

Abstract: A power amplifier including a klystron is stabilized against variations in output power with a simplified servo-loop system and cooperating temperature compensation. The system is fully solid-state, digital, and includes an operator-presettable initial power selector, a power output sensor, comparator logic, variable attenuation responsive to error signals indicative of deviation from the preset power, and temperature compensation means, for assured accuracy and stability.

Abstract: A signal gain controlled system comprises an operational amplifier including a feedback path between the input and output terminals of the amplifier. The system includes first variable impedance means for varying the output voltage at the output terminal of the amplifier in response to and as a function of the input current signal applied to the input terminal and a first control signal. A signal path coupled between the output terminal of the operational amplifier and the output terminal of the system includes second variable impedance means for varying the output current of the system in response to and as a function of (a) the output voltage at the output of the amplifier and (b) a second control signal. The signal gain of the system is a function of the ratio of the second and first control signals.The preferred amplifier is the type having an input resistance and a feedback resistance, wherein at least one of the resistances includes a transistor which is biased to operate in its saturated region.

Abstract: A voltage controlled attenuator includes a control circuit having variable impedance means whose impedance varies in a stepwise fashion as an input voltage is varied. In this manner, the attenuation characteristic of the attenuator can be made to vary stepwise in slope or inclination to improve its efficacy for use as a volume control device in audio apparatus.

Abstract: A DC control current is developed in a first transistor circuit and the control current is responsive to a control voltage which is proportional to the output voltage of a fixed gain amplifier. A reference voltage is applied to a second transistor which provides the normal operating bias for said fixed gain amplifier, and, also, provides a variable impedance via the diode circuit of the base-emitter junction. This diode circuit is a part of a variolossor that also includes a resistor which is connected in the series path between the signal source and the fixed gain amplifier. The bias voltage of the second transistor does not change but the diode impedance varies as the control voltage varies so as to maintain the amplifier output constant.

Abstract: A high-frequency input circuit for two inputs has a pair of first and second pi variable attenuation circuits each composed of three P-I-N diodes, some of which are shared by both of the circuits. The P-I-N diodes serve as attenuator elements in the attenuation circuits and also as switching elements for switching between the first and second attenuation circuits.

Abstract: Compressor for use with an audio amplifier, and of the type wherein a junction FET connected to the input of an amplifying means, has its control terminal connected (a) to the output of said amplifying means through a control transistor, and (b) to either a reference voltage lead through a first resistor, or the input of said amplifying means through another resistor. With such an arrangement the control action of said junction FET is automatically adjusted and adapted to the operating range of output signals of said amplifying means, without the need of separate trimming means.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for frequency compensation and amplitude compression of signals from a scene having targets which radiate infrared energy. The system uses at least two combinations, where each combination consists of an operational amplifier and a variable resistance element. These combinations are electrically coupled to each other. A circuit connected to one of the amplifiers provides high frequency compensation for radiated energy by small targets in the infrared scene. The system also utilizes a reference source which is coupled to the input of another of the amplifiers.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for automatic distortion correction of a signal transmitted over a line having low-pass filter characteristics, employs a distortion corrector having a controllable high-pass filter and a controllable-gain amplifier. The distortion corrector includes the high-pass filter with a predetermined frequency characteristic and a first attenuator connected in series therewith in a first branch, and a two-terminal network of a predetermined frequency characteristic in a second branch. The controlled-gain amplifier includes a second attenuator and an amplifier connected in series therewith which effects a predetermined amplification. The current/voltage characteristics of the first and second attenuators are substantially identical and their attenuation depends on a signal which is derived from the distortion-correct signal by means of rectification and smoothing.

Abstract: A circuit for optional dynamic compression or expansion, with one amplifier located in the useful signal path and controllable in amplification, and an auxiliary branch including one amplifier controllable in amplification and a control voltage generator, to the input of which a useful signal path is connected and the output voltage of which serves to control the controllable amplification in the useful signal path and in the auxiliary branch, and wherein as adjusting members for controlling the amplification of the controllable amplifiers there serve field effect transistors to the control electrodes of which respective direct control voltages are applied. In parallel with the source-sink path of one field effect transistor serving as adjusting member for an amplifier located in the useful signal path there is connected a voltage divider the tapping of which is connected via a separating amplifier to the control electrode of the field effect transistor.

Abstract: A control circuit for signal transmission which comprises a plurality of field effect transistors (which will be hereinafter referred to as simply FETs) with gates of high resistance is disclosed. In this case, the sources and drains of the FETs are connected commonly and connected in parallel to a signal transmission path, their gates are supplied with different voltages, and the mutual conductances among the FETs are selected to be reduced gradually.

Abstract: A circuit for selecting a clipping level including a passive clipping element having a transfer function like that of either a zener diode, two series connected opposing zener diodes or other passive clipping elements. An inverting operational amplifier with a selectable gain couples to the passive clipping element and by adjusting the amplifier gain, the clipping level can be selectively reduced to almost zero from that of the clipping level for the passive clipping element itself.

Abstract: A high-impedance programmable attenuator utilizing field-effect transistor (FET) switching in both the high-impedance and low-impedance sections. In the high-impedance section, hybrid passive attenuator elements are employed to provide attenuation of electrical signals, and both series and shunt forms of active switching are employed to align the appropriate signal paths. The low-impedance amplifier section includes a FET-switched resistive network.

Abstract: The improved gain control circuit is comprised of an amplifier, a semiconductor device attenuator at the amplifier input, and unique control circuitry for controlling the attenuation factor of the semiconductor device. The amplifier is designed for low phase shift to minimize the time delay of its transfer function. The control circuitry responds to both positive and negative a.c. signal transitions at the amplifier output to initiate attenuator gain reduction. As with the amplifier, the control circuitry is designed for minimum response time. The combination results in an extremely fast a.g.c. attack time.

Abstract: A sensitivity control circuit is described for use with a sound movie camera having an automatic sound level control circuit. In one embodiment, the automatic sound level control circuit includes a pair of cascaded amplifiers whose overall gain is controlled by the conduction of an active control element. The active control element has an input terminal which receives a control signal representative of the amplitude of the signal output of the cascaded amplifiers. To desensitize the automatic sound level control circuit to background noise, a voltage source and a variable impedance element are serially coupled to the control terminal of the active control element to provide a control current for selectably varying the conduction of the active control element. The gain of the cascaded amplifiers is thereby selectively controlled and the sensitivity of the automatic sound level control circuit is reduced.

Abstract: A field effect transistor that shunts a gain control resistor of an operational amplifier is slowly rendered conductive by charging a capacitor through a gate to source resistor and rapidly rendered non-conductive by a transistor connected in parallel with said capacitor so as to prevent undesired transients in the output of the amplifier when the gain is changed from one discrete level to another.

Abstract: A circuit for providing adaptive level control in a sound-recording device. A feed-back signal drives a variable attenuator which controls the input level to the audio amplifier stage. Means are provided for preventing voltage spikes at turn-on from adversely affecting the operation of the attenuator and which provide stable sensitivity control.

Abstract: An automatic gain control circuit employs a field effect transistor having a pair of gate electrodes. Distortion factor is minimized by applying a rectified and smoothed output signal to the first gate electrode and applying an input signal to the second gate electrode either directly or through a resistor.

Abstract: A variable gain RF input amplifier having an improved cross modulation characteristic using a field effect transistor. About the first 10 db of signal attenuation is effected by an AGC voltage applied to the transistor, following which supplementary attenuation is provided by an increasing reverse bias applied to a PIN-diode in the RF signal input path to the transistor, the diode bias being derived from the source circuit of the transistor.

Abstract: Signal expansion/compression apparatus wherein an input signal is compressed by an exponential factor and then subsequently may be expanded by the reciprocal of that exponential factor, wherein neither the signal compression circuits nor the signal expansion circuits need be provided with exponential amplifiers or logarithmic function generators. The signal compressio circuit includes a plurality of serially-connected voltage controlled amplifiers, a first of such amplifiers receiving the input signal to be compressed and a predetermined one of such amplifiers providing the compressed output signal. A control signal generator is connected to the last of the voltage controlled amplifiers to produce a control voltage which is a function of the output signal of that last amplifier and a reference voltage. This control voltage is supplied to all of the voltage controlled amplifiers so as to determine the respective gains thereof.

Abstract: A communications receiver transversal filter equalizer is disclosed of the type using fixed increment tap weight adjustments involving use of amplitude data from the incoming signal in conjunction with tap weight adjustments.

Abstract: An improved circuit for producing a signal indicative of an input signal floor level is disclosed for use in determining the noise level of an audio signal in a receiver voting system. An input audio signal which contains noise is amplified by variable gain amplifier circuitry consisting of a constant gain amplifier and a variable attenuator. Detector circuitry then develops a signal which is indicative of the noise level, this signal substantially corresponding to the minimum peak magnitude of the amplified input audio signal. During pauses between audio tones in the input audio signal, this minimum signal magnitude coincides the residual background noise level of the input audio signal. Control circuitry couples the noise level indicative signal to the variable attenuator and constitutes a negative feedback loop for inversely and nonlinearly varying the amplification of the input signal in response to the magnitude of the noise indicative signal.

Abstract: Gain control circuits in the base and emitter circuits of a common-emitter transistor amplifier stage each include pluralities of resistors and electrically conductive screw-type switches which are connected together such that the net changes in decibel values of gain provided by closing individual switches are cumulative. Resistors in the emitter gain control circuit are electrically connected in parallel with the emitter resistor in the AC equivalent of the amplifier in various configurations by closing screw switches to decrease the effective emitter resistance and thereby increase the decibel value of amplifier gain in steps of prescribed magnitudes. The switches are selectively closed in a prescribed manner to provide step changes in the decibel value of the net gain of the stage in discrete consecutive steps of the same magnitude. Transistor amplifiers with emitter gain control circuits may be connected in series to provide additional steps and range of voltage gain.

Abstract: In a bridge circuit consisting of diodes connected in each circuit branch in a forward direction from one of a pair of opposing terminals to another with a current flowing through these diodes, impedance between a second opposing pair of terminals varies in correspondence to the magnitude of the constant current. The invention utilizes this phenomenon and provides a voltage-controlled filter employing this bridge circuit as an impedance element for determining its frequency region and thereby being capable of controlling its frequency region by voltage controlling. A primary passive low-pass filter is described as a preferred example of the invention. The invention further provides a voltage-controlled filter having the bridge circuit provided in a negative feedback loop of an amplifier in an active filter circuit and thereby being capable of controlling selectivity Q by controlling the gain of the amplifier by voltage controlling.

Abstract: An AM converter and AGC amplifier are described for use either separately or in combination in a radio receiver. The AGC amplifier includes a semiconductor device directly coupled to the amplifier input for receiving automatic gain control signals. The AM converter includes a single mixer transistor directly coupled to both an RF amplifier and local oscillator. The converter circuit provides attenuation of the oscillator signal by up to 60 d.b. relative to the R.F. signal, greatly reducing the necessary I.F. filtering. Both the converter and AGC circuits are fabricated on integrated circuit chips.

Abstract: An automatic gain control circuit includes a first transistor whose base is supplied with an input signal and whose collector is impressed with a first source voltage through a first resistor and a second transistor whose collector is connected to the emitter of the first transistor, whose emitter is grounded and whose base is impressed with an automatic gain control voltage. The collector of the first transistor serves as an output terminal of the automatic gain control circuit. The automatic gain control circuit further includes a third transistor whose base is connected to the base of the second transistor and whose emitter is grounded and a fourth transistor whose emitter is connected to the collector of the third transistor, whose collector is connected to the base of the first transistor through a second resistor and is impressed with a second source voltage through a third resistor and whose base is connected to said collector through a fourth resistor.

Abstract: An amplification and gain control circuit is disclosed in which there is provided in the output circuit of an amplification circuit receiving a gain control input, a semiconductor junction capacitance whose capacity is increased when the amplification circuit receives a gain control input causing gain to be reduced, whereby attenuation of the amplification circuit is assisted and the gain control sensitivity is improved, and which also acts to protect subsequent stages from variations of the direct current value which may occur due to the variation of gain by the amplification circuit.

Abstract: An analyzer, for measuring the concentration of a particular material in a ample, has its analog voltage output connected to the analog input of a multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) whose output is connected to a voltmeter and to one input of a voltage comparator having its other input connected to a potentiometer and battery producing a reference voltage somewhat less than the known output voltage of the sample. The comparator output is connected to two gates which control the transmission of electrical pulses from a generator to the UP or DOWN inputs of a binary UP/DOWN counter, having N digital output channels connected to N digital input channels of the MDAC, in such manner that the counter counts UP, increasing the gain of the MDAC, when the MDAC output voltage is lower than the reference voltage, or counts DOWN, decreasing the MDAC gain, when the MDAC output voltage is higher than the reference voltage.

Abstract: A broad band amplifier with negative feedback and controllable amplification factor for use in a carrier frequency system is described. The amplifier is preferably used as a control amplifier in the receiver of a basic group, for example, a basic 60-group of the system wherein the amplification of the amplifier is then controlled by a pilot receiver common for all the 60-groups. The amplifier includes an amplifier stage having constant amplification and which receives the pilot signal. A negative feedback path is connected via a first impedance converter from the output to the input of the amplifier stage. This path includes a capacitive voltage divider together with a second impedance converter and an RC-link. The capacitor values in the voltage divider are varied in dependence on a regulating voltage from the pilot receiver of the system, whereby the degree of negative feedback and thus the amplification of the amplifier can be controlled.

Abstract: In a tuner for a television receiver, an attenuator circuit coupling a signal input to a signal output network includes a series connected controllable impedance and amplifier stage connected to a source of AGC potential whereby increased signal strength causes an increased AGC potential which reduces current flow through and increases the impedance of the controllable impedance while reducing the gain, and consequently the noise, of the amplifier stage coupled to the signal output network.In another aspect of the invention, a second attenuator circuit includes a second controllable impedance series coupling a signal input to the attenuator circuit and a third controllable impedance coupling the junction of the first and second controllable impedances to circuit ground for effecting an additional increased attenuation of a received signal.