Amplifier In Signal Feedback Path Patents (Class 330/85)
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Publication number: 20030234684Abstract: The amplifier device contains a first amplifier element having a first input and a first output. The first output is fed back via a negative feedback path to the input. The negative feedback path contains a controlled current source which brings about a reduction in the noise and also a real finite input impedance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Applicant: Siemens AGInventor: Ralph Oppelt
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Publication number: 20030222711Abstract: An LNA for use as an input stage of a radio frequency tuner comprises an inverting amplifier stage and a transconductance stage. The amplifier stage has an input connected via an input resistance to an input of the amplifier and via a feedback resistance to an output of the amplifier stage. The transconductance stage passes a current through the input resistance which is substantially proportional to the output voltage of the amplifier stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Inventor: Arshad Madni
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Patent number: 6646463Abstract: A method and device to emulate impedances includes a pair of impedances connected in series between two circuit nodes, the impedances forming a voltage divider having at its midpoint a reference voltage VX. An OP AMP includes a positive input connected to the VX—node and the negative input connected to the output thereof in a direct feedback loop. The OP AMP output is also connected to a load impedance that is connected either one of the nodes. A transistor may be interposed between the load impedance and the circuit node. The OP AMP may be provided with a negative gain to emulate an inductor. The voltage divider may be variable to emulate a variable impedance.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Alliance SemiconductorInventor: Dan Ion Hariton
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Publication number: 20030206055Abstract: A signal handling stage provides variable gain, for example for automatic gain control functions, in a radio frequency tuner. The stage comprises a transconductance stage having negative feedback via further transconductance stage. The output current of the transconductance stage is supplied to an AGC core, which steers the output current between output loads and loads for driving the transconductance stage in accordance with an AGC voltage. The amount of negative feedback is therefore varied in accordance with the AGC voltage. For relatively low gain, a large amount of feedback is used and this improves the distortion performance. For relatively high gain, the negative feedback is reduced but a good noise figure can be achieved.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2003Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Lance Trodd, Franco Lauria
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Patent number: 6628165Abstract: The present invention provides radio frequency (RF) power controllers that regulate the power output signal of an RF power amplifier using a control signal. The RF power controller includes a power control amplifier that measures the difference between a feedback signal and a power control input signal to supply the control signal to the RF power amplifier. The output power signal is amplitude modulated for a period of time during an enable mode. During the amplitude modulation period, the RF power controller opens the power control loop and maintains a substantially constant output voltage to the RF power amplifier using a second amplifier and a capacitor coupled to power control amplifier. The capacitor is decoupled from the power control amplifier during the amplitude modulation period, and the second amplifier supplies the output voltage of the RF power controller based upon the stored voltage on the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2000Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Linear Technology CorporationInventors: Edward L. Henderson, Samuel H. Nork
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Patent number: 6611174Abstract: A method to increase the bandwidth of a transimpedance amplifier using capactive feedback. The resultant amplifier maintains wide bandwidth, high linearity, low noise, and low input impedance independent of component variations. These characteristics greatly facilitate the economical measurement of small currents such as those arising from photodiodes and biological preparations.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Inventor: Adam J. Sherman
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Patent number: 6603355Abstract: A noise shaped differential amplifier having a reduced common mode signal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is described. In the described embodiment, the noise shaped differential amplifier includes a noise shaper having a common mode signal controlled by an attenuation operational amplifier that is coupled to a voltage divider circuit and a sense resistor divider. In this arrangement, the attenuation operational amplifier controls a virtual ground applied to the sense resistor divider.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Tripath Technology, Inc.Inventor: Cary L. Delano
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Publication number: 20030122617Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses that multiply the effects of feedback current on an amplifier. In an embodiment, a buffer circuit controls the transition rate on an output pad of the buffer circuit. An amplifier has an input terminal and an output terminal. The output terminal couples to the output pad. A feedback component couples feedback current from the output pad to the input terminal. A current mirror multiplies the effects of the feedback current on the input terminal without increasing the feedback current through the feedback component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Inventor: Robert James Johnston
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Patent number: 6580326Abstract: A voltage buffer and follower includes a single ended output, a source follower, and a current feedback loop. The current feedback loop is coupled to the source follower and to the single ended output. When two voltage followers are used in a differential configuration, the voltage followers can become part of a high bandwidth gain cell. The high bandwidth gain cell includes a first and a second source follower circuit that are coupled to the first and the second current feedback loops, respectively. The first and the second source follower circuits are further coupled to a first and a second current mirror circuit, respectively. The first and second current mirror circuits are coupled to a load, which is coupled to a common-mode feedback circuit. The common-mode feedback circuit controls a constant current source that sinks mirrored direct currents that flow through the first and the second current mirror circuits.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Infineon Technologies North America Corp.Inventors: Elmar Bach, Thomas Blon, Sasan Cyrusian, Stephen Franck
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Patent number: 6580317Abstract: An amplifier includes a first broadband amplifier element (20) having a first and a second input (21 and 22, respectively) and also a first output (23). The first output (23) is fed back via a first and a second negative feedback path (30 and 40, respectively) to the first and second input (21 and 22, respectively). The first negative feedback path (30) includes a controlled current source (31), which brings about a reduction in the noise contribution of the second negative feedback path (40) and also a real finite input impedance.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Ralph Oppelt
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Patent number: 6577188Abstract: A variable gain amplifier comprises a main amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies a difference signal between an input signal and a feedback signal, a feedback amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies an output signal of the main amplifier circuit, and a gain control circuit which complementarily control the gain of the main amplifier circuit and the gain of the feedback amplifier circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Ueno, Tadashi Arai, Takafumi Yamaji, Hiroshi Yoshida, Tetsuro Itakura
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Patent number: 6566947Abstract: A line driver combining active impedance and filter in one stage for connection to a transmission line having a characteristic impedance. The line driver comprises an amplifier, a transformer with a primary to secondary winding ratio of 1:n, a reference impedance, an input impedance and two feedback impedances. The primary winding of the transformer has a first end connected to the output of the amplifier and the secondary winding is connectable to the transmission line. The reference resistor has an end connected to the second end of the first winding at a junction node and the feedback circuit is connected to the input and output of the amplifier and also to the junction node. The reference impedance has a value equal to n 2 K times the characteristic impedance of the transmission line.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventor: Dan V. Gorcea
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Patent number: 6556078Abstract: A low-corner frequency high pass filter circuit (10) includes an operational amplifier (12). The operational amplifier (12) has an inverting input (14) and a non-inverting input (24). A series capacitor (26) has a first end connected to the non-inverting input (24) of the operational amplifier (12). A second end of the series capacitor (26) is connected to an input signal (28). A low gain amplifier (30) has an input connected to an output (22) of the operational amplifier (12) and has an output (32) connected to the non-inverting input (24) of the operational amplifier (12). The low gain amplifier (30) performs the function of large value resistor.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: EM Micoelectronics-US, IncInventors: Kevin Scott Buescher, James Harold Lauffenburger
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Patent number: 6552605Abstract: A differential transimpedance amplifier includes a differential transconductance stage to provide a current to a differential transimpedance stage. The differential transimpedance stage includes two gain stages and provides a voltage. A first feedback element is coupled in parallel with the differential transimpedance stage.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2002Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Taesub Ty Yoon
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Patent number: 6538507Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Intersil Americas, Inc.Inventors: John S. Prentice, Patrick J. Landy
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Patent number: 6534804Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises: a first resistor which has a plurality of first connection points to be selectively connected to an input terminal of an amplifier and has both ends to which a voltage is applied; and a second resistor which has one end to be connected to an output terminal of the amplifier and has a plurality of second connection points to be selectively connected to a feedback input terminal of the amplifier. One of the first connection points and one of the second connection points are selected in such a manner that a voltage at the output terminal of the amplifier becomes constant. Each of the first and second resistors is formed of first reference resistors having a first reference length and second reference resistors having a second reference length as many as needed, both of which are connected by an interconnect layer. The first and second reference resistors for forming the first and second resistors are provided in an effective resistor region and are regularly arranged.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Masahiko Tsuchiya
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Patent number: 6535059Abstract: A reference stage is provided in order to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, for example relating to the threshold voltage of a transistor. This reference stage has a transistor which is a physical equivalent of the transistor to be trimmed in a radio-frequency amplifier stage. In particular, this reference transistor has the same electrical direct current characteristics as the amplifier transistor. A reference voltage can be tapped off across a resistor on the reference stage and can be supplied to a control amplifier which uses this reference voltage to set the operating point of the radio-frequency amplifier transistor such that manufacturing tolerances are compensated for. Such radio-frequency power amplifiers are used, for example, as transmit amplifiers in mobile radios.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Georg Lipperer, Stephan Weber
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Patent number: 6529071Abstract: The present invention is related to a Line driver for amplifying an input signal, said line driver comprising: a first input terminal (11) for receiving said input signal, a non-linear amplifier (3) connected to said input terminal (11) and arranged to provide a first output signal at a first output terminal (13), a digital to analogue converter (15) arranged to transform said input signal to an analogue input signal, an analogue linear amplifier (5) comprising a second (6) and a third input terminal (8) and a second output terminal (10), set up as a comparator between a first correction signal provided at said second input terminal (6) and a second correction signal provided at said third input terminal (8) and arranged to provide a second output signal at said second output terminal (10), combining means arranged to combine said first output signal and said second output signal to provide a total output signal to an output line (7), a first operational amplifier (12) configured to sense the current of saidType: GrantFiled: December 27, 2001Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: AlcatelInventors: Herman Joris Casier, Joannes Mathilda Josephus Sevenhans, Elvé Desiderius Jozef Moons
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Patent number: 6525604Abstract: A control unit and two negative feedback branches limit the amplitudes of the output signal of an inverting differential amplifier. Each feedback branch includes a threshold value switch including a transistor as well as an adjustable current source and a resistor forming a voltage divider between a supply voltage and the amplifier output. The voltage divider output is connected to the transistor's base. The transistor selectively connects or disconnects the input of the amplifier with either the supply voltage or the amplifier output. The control unit controls the two current sources based on external programming commands, to establish two adjustable threshold values within which the negative and positive amplitudes of the output signal are limited, symmetrically or independently, in a hard or soft clipping manner. Even with small supply voltages, the limited output will not overdrive subsequent amplifier input stages and will not superimpose harmonics on the useful signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2002Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: ATMEL Germany GmbHInventors: Juergen Eckert, Juergen Schnabel
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Patent number: 6504429Abstract: An apparatus comprising an amplifier circuit and a control circuit. The amplifier circuit may be configured to generate an amplified signal in response to an input signal. The control circuit generally comprises a differential amplifier having (i) a first input coupled to said amplified signal and (ii) a second input coupled to a reference voltage. The control circuit may be configured to control a dynamic range of the amplifier circuit by adjusting the input signal based on (i) a loop gain of the control circuit and (ii) the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Sirenza Microdevices, Inc.Inventor: Kevin Wesley Kobayashi
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Patent number: 6501255Abstract: A voltage-controlled current source provides operation as either a differential current source for a floating load, or operation as a grounded current source when one end of the load is grounded. Switching between operation as a differential current source and operation as a grounded current source is automatic, and will accommodate significant lead resistance between the source and the load. Additionally, in absence of a grounded load the circuit can provide active common mode reduction using active feedback to reduce common mode voltage on the load.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Lake Shore Cryotronics, Inc.Inventor: Geoffrey S. Pomeroy
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Patent number: 6501332Abstract: An apparatus and method for utilizing a correction loop amplifier in conjunction with a main amplifier to produce signal amplification with low total harmonic distortion. The correction amplifier preferably has one input directly coupled to a first input of the main amplifier, and an output coupled to a second input of the main amplifier via a resistor. The second input of the correction amplifier is preferably coupled to a signal input via a voltage divider or RC network. A preferred embodiment configuration provides a power amplifier with improved THD over prior art circuits. The circuit is very flexible, and may incorporate low, high or band pass filter functions if desired. In addition, the power amplifier may be implemented in any combination of single or differential inputs and outputs.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2000Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Shouli Yan
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Publication number: 20020180520Abstract: A variable gain amplifier comprises a main amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies a difference signal between an input signal and a feedback signal, a feedback amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies an output signal of the main amplifier circuit, and a gain control circuit which complementarily control the gain of the main amplifier circuit and the gain of the feedback amplifier circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventors: Takashi Ueno, Tadashi Arai, Takafumi Yamaji, Hiroshi Yoshida, Tetsuro Itakura
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Patent number: 6489845Abstract: A multiplexing amplifier has a differential amplifier for amplifying multiple input signals which are selected by a plurality input select circuits. The select circuits are comprised of longtail transistor pairs which are activated by current steering diodes controlled by input selection signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Assignee: Goodrich CorporationInventor: Robert Henry Maschhoff
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Publication number: 20020158687Abstract: A low-corner frequency high pass filter circuit (10) includes an operational amplifier (12). The operational amplifier (12) has an inverting input (14) and a non-inverting input (24). A series capacitor (26) has a first end connected to the non-inverting input (24) of the operational amplifier (12). A second end of the series capacitor (26) is connected to an input signal (28). A low gain amplifier (30) has an input connected to an output (22) of the operational amplifier (12) and has an output (32) connected to the non-inverting input (24) of the operational amplifier (12). The low gain amplifier (30) performs the function of large value resistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Applicant: EM (US) Design, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Scott Buescher, James Harold Lauffenburger
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Patent number: 6472937Abstract: The invention includes an amplifier and a biasing circuit. The amplifier may have one or more driver stages and a final stage. Each stage may be connected in series to pass along and amplify an input signal from one stage to the next. The input signal level may increase over time. The biasing circuit may include a voltage follower having an output and a reference transistor. Each stage may include a transistor having a base that is connected to the output of the voltage follower. A resistor may be placed between each transistor stage base and the output of the voltage follower. The base of the final stage transistor may be DC connected to the reference transistor base. In operation, the reference transistor collector current and thus the final stage base bias voltage may be maintained at fixed level by feedback through the voltage follower.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael L. Gerard, Terry J. Shie, Philip H. Thompson
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Patent number: 6473253Abstract: A feedback system includes an emitter-follower as a gain stage in the forward path. The emitter-follower has a very wide band width and does not, by itself, effectively narrow the bandwidth of an information channel in which it is used. Emitter-followers are frequently used as buffers in many gain systems so using an emitter-follower which is already present effectively reduces die area for the feedback system. In an embodiment, the feedback system includes a differentiator with a programmable zero in the feedback path. The zero in the feedback path creates a pole in the forward path and the programmed location of the zero influences the pole and controls the bandwidth of the forward path. The emitter-follower also buffers the differentiator so that it does not effect the operation of any prior gain stages in which the feedback system is used.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1999Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Sanjay Manohar Bhandari, David Allouche
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Publication number: 20020149423Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Inventors: John S. Prentice, Patrick J. Landy
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Patent number: 6466628Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1998Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventor: Helen Haeran Kim
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Publication number: 20020140506Abstract: An apparatus comprising an amplifier circuit and a control circuit. The amplifier circuit may be configured to generate an amplified signal in response to an input signal. The control circuit generally comprises a differential amplifier having (i) a first input coupled to said amplified signal and (ii) a second input coupled to a reference voltage. The control circuit may be configured to control a dynamic range of the amplifier circuit by adjusting the input signal based on (i) a loop gain of the control circuit and (ii) the reference voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventor: Kevin Wesley Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20020121930Abstract: A line driver combining active impedance and filter in one stage for connection to a transmission line having a characteristic impedance. The line driver comprises an amplifier, a transformer with a primary to secondary winding ratio of 1:n, a reference impedance, an input impedance and two feedback impedances. The primary winding of the transformer has a first end connected to the output of the amplifier and the secondary winding is connectable to the transmission line. The reference resistor has an end connected to the second end of the first winding at a junction node and the feedback circuit is connected to the input and output of the amplifier and also to the junction node. The reference impedance has a value equal to n2 /K times the characteristic impedance of the transmission line. The feedback circuit is arranged to produce a voltage at the output of the amplifier substantially equal to (K+1) times the voltage at the junction node, for a predetermined value of K.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2000Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventor: Dan V. Gorcea
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Patent number: 6441686Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing offset errors in a variable gain circuit is offered. A first programmable gain amplifier is located in a feedforward signal path and a second programmable amplifier is connected in feedback with the first programmable gain amplifier. Each programmable gain amplifier has a separate gain control circuit so that the gain of each programmable gain amplifier can be independently controlled.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2000Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventor: Katsufumi Nakamura
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Patent number: 6437643Abstract: A variable gain amplifier comprises a main amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies a difference signal between an input signal and a feedback signal, a feedback amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies an output signal of the main amplifier circuit, and a gain control circuit which complementarily control the gain of the main amplifier circuit and the gain of the feedback amplifier circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Ueno, Tadashi Arai, Takafumi Yamaji, Hiroshi Yoshida, Tetsuro Itakura
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Patent number: 6433608Abstract: A device and method for correcting the baseline wandering of transmitting signals are disclosed. The present method and device are used to correct the baseline wandering of the first output terminal and the second output terminal of a receiver as a result of induction effect of the transformer. The present device comprises a compensation current source including a first compensation output terminal and a second compensation output terminal which are respectively connected to the first output terminal and the second output terminal of the receiver. The device further includes a voltage signal generator for generating a control voltage to control the compensation current source. The voltage signal generator employs the voltage difference of the first output terminal and the second output terminal of the receiver and a reference voltage to control the control voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2001Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: Realtek Semi-Conductor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chen-Chih Huang
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Patent number: 6433638Abstract: A fully balanced transimpedance amplifier for high speed and low voltage applications is provided. An input stage of the amplifier uses a matched pair of common source connected transistors with sources tied directly to ground to eliminate the Vds overhead usually found in differential pairs. The ground connection minimizes a source resistance noise component, while matching minimizes power supply noise generation and susceptibility for an array of amplifiers. Feedback resistors along with diode connected MESFETS determine the transimpedance of the amplifier. The nonlinearity of diodes helps to soften clipping. Transresistance also determined the noise generated by the amplifier, and the diode connected MESFETS offer lower noise than resistors for the same impedance. Stability is achieved through use of only a single stage of gain in a loop of the input stage, while additional gain is achieved through cascading in the input stage.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2000Date of Patent: August 13, 2002Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Randolph B. Heineke, Scott Allen Olson, David Peter Swart, Gerald Wayne Swift
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Patent number: 6429697Abstract: A multi-stage, low-offset, fast-recovery, comparator system and method for: reducing the input offset voltage of the zeroing amplifier by a factor essentially equal to gain of the zeroing amplifier; reducing the input offset voltage of the combined main and zeroing amplifiers by a factor essentially equal to the product of the gains of the main and zeroing amplifiers; and amplifying the input signal to the amplification stage in accordance with the gain of the main amplifier to generate an amplified high-resolution signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1999Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: Bruce Edward Amazeen, Michael C. W. Coln, Scott Wayne, Gerald A. Miller, Mick Mueck
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Patent number: 6411165Abstract: A noise shaped differential amplifier having a reduced common mode signal in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is described. In the described embodiment, the noise shaped differential amplifier includes a noise shaper having a common mode signal controlled by an attenuation operational amplifier that is coupled to a voltage divider circuit and a sense resistor divider. In this arrangement, the attenuation operational amplifier controls a virtual ground applied to the sense resistor divider.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2001Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Tripath Technology, Inc.Inventor: Cary L. Delano
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Patent number: 6411161Abstract: The invention provides an AC coupling circuit for receiving an output signal from a signal processing circuit having a first differential amplifier which has an inverting input and a non-inverting input, and for transmitting the output signal to a stage subsequent to the signal processing circuit as an AC signal. The first differential amplifier receives an input signal with a predetermined potential and a signal with a reference potential to differentially amplify the signals. The AC coupling circuit comprises a CR circuit including a resistor and a capacitor, and a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit includes a second differential amplifier for detecting a potential difference between a node of a stage previous to the CR circuit and a node of a stage subsequent to the CR circuit with reference to the potential of the node of the subsequent stage to the CR circuit to amplify the potential difference.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masahiro Yamamoto
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Patent number: 6407632Abstract: A radio frequency amplifier comprises an input amplifier provided with a shunt feedback path for determining the input impedance. A first transconductance amplifier forms part of a series feedback arrangement with a resistor around the amplifier so as to boost the effective value of the resistor. An identical transconductance amplifier is connected to the output of the input amplifier and its output forms the output of the radio frequency amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Mitel Semiconductor LimitedInventors: Arshad Madni, Lance R Trodd
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Patent number: 6404281Abstract: An apparatus comprising an amplifier circuit and a control circuit. The amplifier circuit may be configured to generate an amplified signal in response to an input signal. The control circuit generally comprises a differential amplifier having (i) a first input coupled to said amplified signal and (ii) a second input coupled to a reference voltage. The control circuit may be configured to control a gain of the amplifier circuit by adjusting the input signal based on (i) a magnitude of the amplified signal and (ii) the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2000Date of Patent: June 11, 2002Assignee: Sirenza Microdevices, Inc.Inventor: Kevin Wesley Kobayashi
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Patent number: 6380807Abstract: A dynamic bridge system with common mode range extension includes a dynamic bridge circuit having a pair of input terminals for receiving common mode and normal signals, a pair of intermediate terminals and an output terminal and reference terminal; a differential amplifier has its inputs connected to the intermediate terminals and its output connected to the output terminal; a pair of balanced loads is each connected at one end to an intermediate terminal; and an inverting amplifier responsive to the common mode signal at the inputs of the differential amplifier drives the other ends of the balanced loads in opposition to changes in the common mode signals at the inputs of the differential amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventor: Adrian Paul Brokaw
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Publication number: 20020041206Abstract: A variable gain amplifier comprises a main amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies a difference signal between an input signal and a feedback signal, a feedback amplifier circuit whose gain is controllable and which amplifies an output signal of the main amplifier circuit, and a gain control circuit which complementarily control the gain of the main amplifier circuit and the gain of the feedback amplifier circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: Takashi Ueno, Tadashi Arai, Takafumi Yamaji, Hiroshi Yoshida, Tetsuro Itakura
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Patent number: 6351137Abstract: A method and device to emulate impedances includes a pair of impedances connected in series between a supply voltage and ground, the impedances forming a voltage divider having at its midpoint a reference voltage Vx. An OP AMP includes a positive input connected to the Vx node and the negative input connected to the output thereof in a direct feedback loop. The OP AMP output is also connected to a load impedance that is connected either to the supply voltage or ground. The unity gain OP AMP forces the output voltage thereof to follow the input voltage Vx, whereby the output voltage behaves as if it were created by a virtual impedance. By proper choice of components and values, the virtual impedance may comprise a large capacitor, and the remaining impedances may comprise resistance and small capacitance, both of which, together with the OP AMP, are easily integrated in a small die area.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2000Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Pulsecore, Inc.Inventor: Dan Ion Hariton
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Patent number: 6323730Abstract: A zero input current charge sensitive preamplifier comprised of a feedback means and, optionally, a charge cancellation means whereby the feedback means is comprised of a feedback loop having a feedback capacitor and a composite operational amplifier having a non-inverting input and being comprised of a common drain differential amplifier, having at least one junction field effect transistor which is coupled with a monolithic operational amplifier; and wherein the charge cancellation means is comprised of an integrator placed in the feedback loop at the non-inverting input of the composite operational amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2000Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: PCB Piezotronics, Inc.Inventor: John William Hynd
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Patent number: 6300833Abstract: A self compensating operational amplifier (10) including a differential amplifier input stage (18) and a current mirror (24) having an input and an output coupled to the respective outputs (20, 22) of the differential amplifier input stage is provided that uses a feedback amplifier (28) which senses any voltages differences between the input and outputs of the current mirror as current is sourced or sank at the output (32) of the operational amplifier. The feedback amplifier produces a feedback current to the input side (20) of the current mirror wherein the voltage at the input side of the current mirror tracks the voltage swing at the output side of the current mirror so that the voltages track and are substantially matched.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1999Date of Patent: October 9, 2001Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries LLCInventors: Robert L. Vyne, Chad Traylor
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Patent number: 6288604Abstract: An amplifier circuit is responsive to an input data signal which is substantially DC balanced. The amplifier circuit is operative to generate an amplified data signal, and includes: a limiting amplifier responsive to the input data signal and to an error correcting signal, the limiting amplifier being operative to generate the amplified data signal; a feed back circuit responsive to a signal proportional to the amplified data signal, the feed back circuit being operative to generate the error correcting signal. The feed back circuit includes: a low pass filter responsive to the signal proportional to the amplified data signal, and operative to generate a filtered signal; and an error amplifier responsive to the filtered signal, and operative to provide the error correcting signal to the limiting amplifier; whereby offset voltage caused by process characteristics of the limiting amplifier, and temperature variations in the limiting amplifier are canceled by the error correcting feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Cheng-chung Shih, Jiann-chyi Shieh
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Patent number: 6288609Abstract: A gain controllable low noise amplifier (LNA) (200) with automatic linearity enhancement utilizes an amplifier stage (203) for amplifying a radio frequency (RF) input signal and a dynamically controllable feedback loop amplifier stage (205) for providing negative feedback to the feedback amplifier. A bias controller (213) is coupled to the dynamically controllable feedback loop amplifier stage (203) for monitoring a receiver automatic gain control (AGC) system (211) and providing a dynamic bias to the feedback loop amplifier stage (205) to improve linearity to the LNA in the presence of strong on-channel and off-channel signal conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Daniel E. Brueske, David J. Graham
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Patent number: 6275102Abstract: The distortion correction circuit includes: a main amplifier 30 having a first resistor 36 coupled from an output of the main amplifier 30 to a first input of the main amplifier 30, and a second resistor 34 coupled between the first input of the main amplifier 30 and a first input signal node; a correction loop amplifier 32 having an output coupled to a second input of the main amplifier 30, an output of the main amplifier 30 coupled to a first input of the correction loop amplifier 32, a second input of the correction loop amplifier 32 coupled to a second input signal node.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2000Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: John M. Muza
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Patent number: 6275112Abstract: A microphone bias amplifier circuit (30) and method for biasing a microphone with an amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit (30) has an input stage (34) coupled to an output stage (40). The output stage (40) includes a first transistor (M1) coupled to a feedback loop (32) provides a variable source current (13) to the first transistor (M1) and the output stage output Vout. The feedback loop (32) includes an amplifier (36) coupled to the first transistor (M1) and a first current source (I2) conducted through a second transistor (M2) and coupled to the amplifier (36). The amplifier (36) controllably drives a third transistor (M3) coupled to a voltage source (AVDD) to generate the variable current source (I2). The gates of the first (M1) and second (M2) transistors are coupled together and driven by the input stage (34).Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1999Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: John M. Muza
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Publication number: 20010009388Abstract: A reference stage is provided in order to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, for example relating to the threshold voltage of a transistor. This reference stage has a transistor which is a physical equivalent of the transistor to be trimmed in a radio-frequency amplifier stage. In particular, this reference transistor has the same electrical direct current characteristics as the amplifier transistor. A reference voltage can be tapped off across a resistor on the reference stage and can be supplied to a control amplifier which uses this reference voltage to set the operating point of the radio-frequency amplifier transistor such that manufacturing tolerances are compensated for. Such radio-frequency power amplifiers are used, for example, as transmit amplifiers in mobile radios.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2001Publication date: July 26, 2001Inventors: Georg Lipperer, Stephan Weber