Abstract: There is disclosed for use in a base station power amplifier a first and second amplifier stage for amplifying a received RF signal. A controller is provided that samples the incoming signal to determine its power level. If the signal power level is below a predetermined threshold, the controller directs the signal to the first amplifier stage which provides low power amplification. If the signal is above the threshold, the controller passes the signal to the second amplifier stage for high power amplification. Power efficiency is increased and DC power is reduced by switching off the unused amplifier stage.

Abstract: The gain and current consumption of a power amplifier are adjusted while maintaining amplified output signal linearity. Where linearity and low power consumption are maintained for the amplifier by controllable shunting of an input signal amplitude and by providing a predetermined bias signal to the amplifier circuit in a precalibrated manner. A mapping circuit is disposed for receiving a control signal and for providing the predetermined bias signal to the amplifier circuit in the precalibrated manner. The mapping circuit is either internally provided within the same circuit as the power amplifier, or externally.

Abstract: An RF wideband amplifier system is provided that includes an M way splitter for receiving an RF input signal and splitting same into M RF signals for respective application to M power amplifier modules PAM-1 to PAM-M that amplify the M signals and apply the amplified M signals to an M way combiner that applies an amplified RF signal to a load. A main controller provides an automatic level control reference signal, representative of the desired output power level of each of the power amplifier modules.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variable-gain amplifier circuit comprising an adjustable impedance circuit part including a bipolar transistor having a base connected to a control terminal for receiving a controlled bias voltage, a collector connected to a positive power supply voltage terminal, and an emitter connected to ground through a diode in such a manner that an anode of the diode is connected to the emitter of the transistor and a cathode of the diode is connected to the ground. The variable-gain amplifier circuit further comprises a variable-gain amplifying circuit part having an amplifying circuit having an input coupled through an DC blocking capacitor to an input terminal for receiving an input signal and an output connected to an output terminal. The emitter of the bipolar transistor is connected to a node between the input terminal and the DC blocking capacitor.

Abstract: Digital subscriber modems (8, 15) for use in Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) communications are disclosed. The central office modem (8) includes a digital transceiver function (10) and an analog front end function (12), where the analog front end function (12) is integrated into a single integrated circuit. According to the disclosed embodiments, the analog front end function (12) includes a transmit and a receive side. On the receive side, an impedance matching circuit (56) is coupled to the input of a programmable gain amplifier (54C). The impedance matching circuit (56) is controlled by the same control signals (C1, C2, C3) as used to select the gain of the programmable gain amplifier (54C), so that a constant input impedance is presented to the signal input (RXP), independent of the selected gain.

Abstract: The gain and current consumption of a power amplifier are adjusted while maintaining amplified output signal linearity. Where linearity and low power consumption are maintained for the amplifier by controllable shunting of an input signal amplitude and by providing a predetermined bias signal to the amplifier circuit in a precalibrated manner. A mapping circuit is disposed for receiving a control signal and for providing the predetermined bias signal to the amplifier circuit in the precalibrated manner. The mapping circuit is either internally provided within the same circuit as the power amplifier, or externally.

Abstract: An attenuator control circuit for controlling operation of a differential pair attenuator to provide linear in decibels (dB) operation and temperature and process-independent operation. The attenuator control circuit is coupled in parallel with corresponding control input terminals of the attenuator differential pair. The attenuator control circuit also includes a current control circuit that sources a supply current to the control differential pair. The attenuator control circuit also includes an amplifier that controls current through the first current path of the control differential pair to maintain constant total current, so that the first current path exhibits the desired exponential attenuation function. Since the control differential pair is coupled in parallel with the differential pair attenuator, the output current of the differential pair attenuator also exhibits the desired exponential attenuation function.

Abstract: An interpolator utilizes two ranks of transistors to generate a plurality of interpolator currents within the confines of a low power supply voltage. The first rank of transistors are underdriven, thereby generating a plurality of partially switched currents having shallow Gaussian-shaped functions. The partially switched currents are then spatially amplified by the second rank of transistors to reduce the overlap of the currents from adjacent transistors. The first rank of transistors are driven ratiometrically by the difference of two control currents, thereby eliminating errors caused by inaccurate resistors and current sources. A biasing op-amp senses the interpolator currents and servos the first rank of transistors, thereby regulating the interpolator currents to a value determined by a reference voltage which is temperature compensated. Thus, the biasing op-amp automatically compensates for temperature variations and manufacturing uncertainties in devices throughout the entire interpolator.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for controlling transmission power involve receiving a first to second channel power ratio, receiving a first to second channel power ratio, adjusting the power ratio if a combined power of a plurality of channels exceeds a threshold, the channels including the first and second channels, and computing gain of the first channel as a function of the power ratio. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include an amplification system and method of controlling an amplifier. The method comprises receiving a first digital signal representing a desired amplifier signal level, receiving a portion of said amplifiers output signal, and adjusting the voltage on a body terminal of said amplifier so that the output signal is maintained in a predetermined range. The amplification system comprises an MOS amplifier wherein the body terminal is adjusted to maintain the output at desired levels. In one embodiment, the body terminal is a fine adjust, and an input attenuator is used for a coarse adjust. In another embodiment, input and output couplers are coupled to the amplifier, and portions of the input and output signals are used to adjust the body terminal to maintain a desired output level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slope equalizer for use in a voice frequency channel card, which is preferably electronically and remotely controllable, and retrocompatible with existing telecommunication systems. The slope equalizer of the invention includes a high-pass filter followed by a variable gain stage amplifier, where the variable gain stage amplifier is an operational amplifier with a plurality of parallel input signal paths, each of the signal paths being a series-connected resistor and switch. The switch is preferably a FET transistor that is electronically and, optionally, remotely controllable. The circuit topology allows the use of FET transistors having relatively high on-resistances. A further advantage of the topology is that the FET switches are connected to a virtual ground by way of an operational amplifier, thereby reducing on-resistance modulation caused by signal variations across the FET.

Abstract: A front-end signal-processing device having an automatic gain-control function used in the analog-to-digital conversion. The circuit comprises a buffer circuit, an amplifying/attenuating circuit, a pre-processing gain-adjusting circuit and an amplification/attenuation gain-adjusting circuit. In the front-end signal-processing device having an automatic gain-control function used in the analog-to-digital conversion, a set of gain-adjusting signals S1 and S2 are produced by hardware for controlling the amplification or attenuation gain of signals, thereby automatically adjusting the amplitude of the input signals. In addition, the microprocessor can select an appropriate restoring parameter according to the gain-adjusting signals to ensure that the numeral result conforms to the original input signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency signal output module having a power amplifier and an isolator element is provided in which a radio-frequency output stage can be largely reduced in size and thickness. The radio frequency signal output module comprises a dielectric multilayer substrate; a radio-frequency power amplifier circuit; an isolator element; an impedance matching circuit which is inserted and connected between the radio-frequency power amplifier circuit and the isolator element; and a feedback loop for controlling the gain of the radio-frequency power amplifier circuit. The radio-frequency power amplifier circuit, the isolator element, the impedance matching circuit, and the feedback loop are integrally mounted on the dielectric multilayer substrate, and the feedback loop is branched from the impedance matching circuit, and connected to the radio-frequency power amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A method of configuring a switch-network to implement programmable gain devices such as Programmable Gain Amplifiers (PGAs). The method provides high-accuracy and low-distortion with small area requirements and less sensitivity to process and temperature variations when compared with traditional programmable gain architectures where the gain is determined by a ratio between one or more fixed resistors and one or more programmable resistors.

Abstract: Method for operating an RF power amplifier (100; 200) with an approximately linear characteristic by adjusting at least one operating parameter of the amplifier or at least one active component of this amplifier, wherein a minimum collector or drain current of the active component or, respectively, an amplifier stage and the input signal level of the RF power amplifier are controlled in dependence on the quotient of harmonic power and useful-signal power of the amplifier output signal.

Abstract: A differential variable gain amplifier (VGA) with constant input impedance and an adjustable one-pole filtering characteristic is provided. Each input of the VGA has a set of parallel resistors connected thereto. Except for one resistor in each set, each of the resistors of the two sets is connected to its corresponding summing junction (op-amp input), or to a corresponding resistor of the other set via a switch. Switching the resistors to their corresponding summing junction or to the corresponding resistor of the other set provides for the variable gain function, where the gain is proportional to the number of resistors connected to the summing junction. The configuration of resistors provides a constant input impedance to the VGA of R/(n+1), where R is the resistance value of the resistors.

Abstract: A programmable gain amplifier (PGA) has an amplifier and a variable resistor that is connected to the output of the amplifier. The variable resistor includes a resistor that is connected to a reference voltage and multiple parallel taps that tap off the resistor. A two-stage switch network having fine stage switches and coarse stage switches connects the resistor taps to an output node of the PGA. The taps and corresponding fine stage switches are arranged into two or more groups, where each group has n-number of fine stage switches and corresponding taps. One terminal of each fine stage switch is connected to the corresponding resistor tap, and the other terminal is connected to an output terminal for the corresponding group. The coarse stage switches select from among the groups of fine stage switches, and connect to the output of the PGA.

Abstract: An automatic gain control (AGC) circuit including a high gain amplifier, a feedback network and two transconductance amplifiers. The feedback network has a first end that receives an input signal of the AGC circuit, a second end coupled to the output of the high gain amplifier and two intermediate nodes. Each transconductance amplifier has an input coupled to a respective intermediate node of the feedback network and an output coupled to the input of the high gain amplifier. The transconductance amplifiers collectively control a position of a virtual ground within the feedback network to control gain of the AGC circuit. The transconductance amplifiers each include an attenuator and a transconductance stage coupled between the feedback network and the high gain amplifier and are configured to operate linearly across a relatively wide input voltage range. The input offset voltage of the AGC circuit varies monotonically with gain of the AGC circuit.

Abstract: Circuitry to remove switches from signal paths in integrated circuit programmable gain attenuators. Programmable gain attenuators and programmable gain amplifiers commonly switch between signal levels using semi-conductor switches. Such switches may introduce non-linearities in the signal. By isolating the switches from the signal path linearity of the PGA can be improved.

Abstract: A variable-gain circuit includes an amplifying transistor, a first gain control section for receiving a first gain control signal to control the amplifying transistor to have a first gain curve of decibel gain convex toward the bottom of graph, and a second gain control section for receiving a second control signal to control the first transistor to have a second gain curve of decibel gain convex toward the top of graph. The first and second control signals are fed at a time to cancel the non-linearity of the gain curves to have an overall linear gain curve.

Abstract: Efficiency of an RF/microwave power amplifier is increased at a back-off power level by increasing the load resistance of the amplifier at the reduced output power level as compared to load impedance at a higher power level including full operating power. The different load impedances can be realized with two amplification units in parallel each having different load impedances. Alternatively, a single amplification path can be provided with an output impedance matching network which is selectively bypassed for increased impedance load during back-off power operation. In another embodiment, the output impedance matching network can include a shunt inductance which is selectively switched into the network to increase impedance for back-off power operation.

Abstract: A variable gain type amplifier includes a first amplifying circuit, an attenuating circuit connected to an output of the first amplifying circuit, and a second amplifying circuit connected to an output of the first amplifying circuit. An amplification of the first amplifying circuit is adjusted based on a control voltage, and an attenuation of the attenuating circuit is adjusted based on the control voltage.

Abstract: A two stage amplifier for a portable or cellular phone is disclosed which is manufactured using a fast BiCMOS process suach as SiGe. A shunt circuit controlled by a switch is provided between a base of one of the amplifying transistors and a DC terminal to prevent it from operating in a Class B mode of operation when it is intended for the amplifier to be switched off.

Abstract: A compensation circuit for attenuating or eliminating undesired properties of an operational amplifier and a corresponding compensation method determine conditions which are established inside or outside the operational amplifier and which allow to draw conclusions as to the presence and/or the degree of the undesired properties of the operational amplifier. The compensation circuit is controlled as a function of the determined conditions.

Abstract: A voltage amplifying circuit (100) that may have a selectable gain has been disclosed. Voltage amplifying circuit (100) may include a voltage amplifier (2) and a gain changing unit (7). A gain changing unit (2) may be capable of changing at least one of: a capacitance between a signal input terminal (6) and an input terminal of a voltage amplifier, the capacitance between an input terminal of a voltage amplifier and a ground (or reference potential), and a capacitance between an input and an output terminal (3) of a voltage amplifier. In this way, a gain from a signal input terminal (6) to an output terminal (3) of a voltage amplifier of a voltage amplifying circuit (100) may be changed.

Abstract: An amplifying apparatus for a mobile station receiver is disclosed. A low-noise amplifier amplifies a received signal to a preset level. A controller detects a level of a signal corresponding to a first frame of the received signal output from the low-noise amplifier, and generates a control voltage according to the detected level. An attenuation determining resistor determines an attenuation of the received signal. A first switching element is connected in series to the attenuation determining resistor, and is turned ON according to the control voltage so as to attenuate the received signal through the attenuation determining resistor. An impedance compensation resistor is connected in parallel to the attenuation determining resistor, and compensates for a decrease in an impedance due to turn-ON of the first switching element. Further, a second switching element is connected in parallel to the impedance compensation resistor and the first switching element.

Abstract: An interpolator utilizes two ranks of transistors to generate a plurality of interpolator currents within the confines of a low power supply voltage. The first rank of transistors are underdriven, thereby generating a plurality of partially switched currents having shallow Gaussian-shaped functions. The partially switched currents are then spatially amplified by the second rank of transistors to reduce the overlap of the currents from adjacent transistors. The first rank of transistors are driven ratiometrically by the difference of two control currents, thereby eliminating errors caused by inaccurate resistors and current sources. A biasing op-amp senses the interpolator currents and servos the first rank of transistors, thereby regulating the interpolator currents to a value determined by a reference voltage which is temperature compensated. Thus, the biasing op-amp automatically compensates for temperature variations and manufacturing uncertainties in devices throughout the entire interpolator.

Abstract: In a wireless transmitter, a class B or class C amplifier is used as a power amplifier for boosting the power level of a signal to be transmitted. To linearize the power amplifier, a feedback mechanism is included in the transmitter. The feedback mechanism provides for adjustment of a feedback gain which affects the overall gain of the signal, thereby effectively controlling the signal power level. In addition, a phase difference between components of the signal and the feedback versions thereof is corrected to increase the linearity of the power amplifier and stabilize the feedback mechanism.

Abstract: An amplifier may be configured as a general purpose operational amplifier having external gain determining components or as a programmable gain amplifier having self-contained gain determining components and fixed step amplification selection. Configuration and control of the operational amplifier may be performed with a digital processor such as a microcontroller. The configurable amplifier may be packaged in an integrated circuit package. The configurable amplifier and a processor may be fabricated on a single integrated circuit or in a multi-chip integrated circuit package.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variable-gain amplifier circuit comprising an adjustable impedance circuit part including a bipolar transistor having a base connected to a control terminal for receiving a controlled bias voltage, a collector connected to a positive power supply voltage terminal, and an emitter connected to ground through a diode in such a manner that an anode of the diode is connected to the emitter of the transistor and a cathode of the diode is connected to the ground. The variable-gain amplifier circuit further comprises a variable-gain amplifying circuit part having an amplifying circuit having an input coupled through an DC blocking capacitor to an input terminal for receiving an input signal and an output connected to an output terminal. The emitter of the bipolar transistor is connected to a node between the input terminal and the DC blocking capacitor.

Abstract: An electronic volume circuit is provided, which can be driven by a single power source and can therefore be formed by an LSI that can be fabricated in a simple manner using an oxide film and a junction process for a single power source. A first amplifying circuit attenuates the amplitude of a bipolar input signal and converts the attenuated input signal to a unipolar signal, and a variable resistor device controls the degree of attenuation of the first amplifying circuit based on an externally supplied signal.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier circuit includes an emitter-grounded amplifier circuit and an emitter follower connected to the input section of the emitter-grounded amplifier circuit and having a variable output impedance. In a gain control method for the variable gain amplifier circuit, a bias voltage applied to the input section of the emitter-grounded amplifier circuit is kept constant, and the output impedance of the emitter follower is changed in a direction in which the gain of the emitter-grounded amplifier circuit decreases.

Abstract: This invention relates to an amplifier having digital micro-processor control apparatus and, in particular, to a high frequency power amplifier that includes a micro-processor control system to accurately regulate the operating point of the various amplifying elements in the high frequency power amplifier. The basic amplifier circuitry consists of a micro-controller, a variable voltage attenuator (VVA), a digital to analogue converter and an EEPROM. The EEPROM provides a lookup table which is read by the micro-controller, which then writes to the digital to analogue converter to set the control voltage to the variable voltage attenuator.

Abstract: A linearization bias circuit for an RF BJT amplifier including a reference circuit, a current device and a transconductance amplifier. The linearization bias circuit controls the operating point of the BJT amplifier based on signal level of an input RF signal. The current device provides a constant reference current to the reference circuit, where the constant reference current has a level that is based on a desired collector current of the BJT amplifier. The reference circuit applies a predetermined relationship between DC and AC scale factors of collector current of the BJT amplifier. The transconductance amplifier asserts its output to maintain the constant reference current into the reference terminal of the reference circuit, and in doing so controls the base terminal of the BJT amplifier to modify its operating point to substantially maintain constant transconductance in the presence of varying input voltage amplitudes of the input RF signal.

Abstract: A linear amplifier with a variable signal gain controlled by a control signal that is externally generated and based on the magnitude of the incoming signal. A shunt impedance is connected at the input of the amplifier and a feedback impedance is connected between the output and input of the amplifier. The amplifier is an inverting amplifier, thereby making the output signal phase inverse to the input signal phase. Both impedances are variable and are controlled by the control signal. Together, the signal gain of the amplifier and the values of the shunt and feedback impedances determine the overall signal gain of the circuit.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to compensate an amplifier circuit for changes in a load impedance in order to maintain a substantially optimum performance for the amplifier. More specifically, if the load impedance increases, then the amplifier is reconfigured to produce an output impedance that is likewise increased. One way of reconfiguring the amplifier for a load impedance increase is to increase the supply voltage to the device. The increase in the supply voltage to the device increases the rail to rail operation of the device. This would allow more dynamic range for the system performance. Assuming the current is substantially constant, the impedance seen the output of the amplifier will increase and be multiplied up to the impedance desired by the load resulting in a more optimum power transfer. Other parameters, such as the input drive and bias voltage to the amplifier can be changed in order to improve the performance of the amplifier.

Abstract: A high efficiency multiple power level power amplifier has a PIN diode network that selectively associates an impedance transformation network with an interstage impedance matching network to maintain desired gain and linearity characteristics for the power amplifier at different output power levels. The PIN diode network in the off mode (high power), has a high breakdown voltage and high series resistance thereby reducing distortion components. The PIN diode network in the on mode (low power), has a low series resistance thereby reducing insertion losses.

Abstract: A system and method for employing a training scheme to a linear amplifier system having a modulator component for modulation of a supply power of an RF power amplifier. A supply modulator is set at a maximum or peak supply voltage of the RF power amplifier that corresponds to a maximum saturation point of the RF power amplifier. A training mode is entered wherein an input signal is provided and a phase adjustment and an attenuation level for the input signal to the RF power amplifier is determined. The phase adjustment and attenuation level is employed in normal operation. A relationship between the maximum clip level and maximum supply voltage and the instantaneous voltage level of the supply that will be utilized to modulate the reference signal is employed to determine the attenuation level.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier circuit includes an emitter-grounded amplifier circuit and an emitter follower connected to the input section of the emitter-grounded amplifier circuit and having a variable output impedance. In a gain control method for the variable gain amplifier circuit, a bias voltage applied to the input section of the emitter-grounded amplifier circuit is kept constant, and the output impedance of the emitter follower is changed to decrease the gain of the emitter-grounded amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier circuit includes an emitter-grounded amplifier circuit and an emitter follower connected to the input section of the emitter-grounded amplifier circuit and having a variable output impedance. In a gain control method for the variable gain amplifier circuit, a bias voltage applied to the input section of the emitter-grounded amplifier circuit is kept constant, and the output impedance of the emitter follower is changed in a direction in which the gain of the emitter-grounded amplifier circuit decreases.

Abstract: A programmable gain preamplifier is provided which has a low temperature drift and good dynamic range characteristics. The programmable gain preamplifier provides a programmable gain of the difference between two input signals (Ain and Ain′ for example). One of the input signals (Ain′) may be an estimation of the other input signal (Ain). The estimation input signal (or a signal related to the estimated input) may be generated by the use of a reference voltage and a first resistor string. More particularly, the reference voltage and the first resistor string may operate as a digital to analog converter (DAC) that converts a digital estimation signal to an analog estimation voltage. The analog estimation voltage operates as an analog voltage that is a function of (or the same as) the analog Ain′ estimation signal. The first resistor string may provide the estimation voltage without loading the resistor string.

Abstract: A variable-gain circuit includes an amplifying transistor, a first gain control section for receiving a first gain control signal to control the amplifying transistor to have a first gain curve of decibel gain convex toward the bottom of graph, and a second gain control section for receiving a second control signal to control the first transistor to have a second gain curve of decibel gain convex toward the top of graph. The first and second control signals are fed at a time to cancel the non-linearity of the gain curves to have an overall linear gain curve.

Abstract: A communication system (300) includes amplifiers (325) having an improved thermal response. The amplifiers (325) include a Bode circuit (208) for attenuating the signals and a thermal compensation circuit (320) for adjusting the gain in response to changes in temperature. The thermal compensation unit (320) provides a non-linear impedance to offset for the non-linear performance of the amplifiers gain versus control current. The thermal compensation unit (320) has circuit paths that are selectively turned on to provide the non-linear relationship of impedance versus input control voltage.

Abstract: A high-pass filter has a variable resistance which can be varied by a trimming signal and a programming signal. The variable resistance has a common resistance which is controlled by the trimming signal or the programming signal through a common control line.

Abstract: An input terminal of an amplifier circuit is connected to a base terminal of an amplifying transistor, and is also connected to one of the terminals of capacitor via a first wiring. An output terminal of the amplifier circuit is connected to a collector terminal of the amplifying transistor, to the other terminal of the capacitor via a second wiring and also to a source voltage via a load resistor. An emitter terminal of the amplifying transistor is connected to ground via a feedback resistor. The second wiring connecting the other terminal of the capacitor and the collector terminal of the amplifying transistor is formed to intersect a cutting line, or a so-called grid line, of the wafer which is used as reference for dicing the wafer into chips.

Abstract: A modulation format switch in signal communication with an amplifier, which produces a plurality of modulation format signals, and a load is described. The modulation format switch includes at least one matching network in signal communication with the amplifier and the load, where the at least one matching network capable of having a plurality of impedance values corresponding to the plurality of modulation format signals. The modulation format switch also includes a controllable element in the matching network, the controllable element capable of having more than one impedance value.

Abstract: An amplifier for amplifying a high frequency signal includes comprises cascade-connected an input npn transistor and an output npn transistor and a bias circuit to control a base current Ib of the input transistor in order to make a DC component of a collector current Ic of the cascade-connected npn transistors constant. A shunt transistor is further connected between a base electrode of the input npn transistor and one terminal of a power source and is connected so that the base current of the input npn transistor flows through a resistor connected between a base electrode and an emitter electrode of the shunt transistor. By lowering a base voltage of the output npn transistor in response to a gain control signal, the collector current Ic is reduced, and a gain of the amplifier is reduced, and simultaneously the shunt transistor is made in shunting operation.

Abstract: An amplifying apparatus for a mobile station receiver is disclosed. A low-noise amplifier amplifies a received signal to a preset level. A controller detects a level of a signal corresponding to a first frame of the received signal output from the low-noise amplifier, and generates a control voltage according to the detected level. An attenuation determining resistor determines an attenuation of the received signal. A first switching element is connected in series to the attenuation determining resistor, and is turned ON according to the control voltage so as to attenuate the received signal through the attenuation determining resistor. An impedance compensation resistor is connected in parallel to the attenuation determining resistor, and compensates for a decrease in an impedance due to turn-ON of the first switching element. Further, a second switching element is connected in parallel to the impedance compensation resistor and the first switching element.

Abstract: An analog amplifier with a monotonic transfer function converts an incoming analog control voltage into multiple continuously variable discrete analog control voltages which are then used to control the respective gate biases of multiple MOS transistors. The MOS transistors are each connected in series with respective associated resistors and in a laddered parallel configuration with other serial transistor-resistor pairs. This creates a variable impedance circuit which, in accordance with the continuously variable discrete analog control voltages, exhibits a corresponding continuously variable circuit impedance in the form of a continuously variable resistance. This variable resistance forms part of the feedback circuit for controlling the gain of a noninverting operational amplifier circuit. This causes the ratio of the analog output and input signals of such operational amplifier circuit to define a monotonic transfer function.

Abstract: An electronic volume circuit is provided, which can be driven by a single power source and can therefore be formed by an LSI that can be fabricated in a simple manner using an oxide film and a junction process for a single power source.