Abstract: A variable gain amplifier includes multiple unit variable gain amplifiers connected in series which amplify an input signal in accordance with their respective gains and generate a multi-stage amplified signal. A gain control circuit generates voltage control signals, one for each of the unit amplifiers, from a gain control input signal. The control signals control the respective gains of the unit amplifiers such that the gain of the first amplifier in the series is greater than the gain of the last amplifier in the series.

Abstract: An automatic gain control circuit includes a power calculator for calculating power of a modulation wave supplied to a demodulator; a power comparator for comparing the power calculated by the power calculator with ideal power of a modulation scheme of the modulation signal; a first gain controller for carrying out gain control of a first AGC amplifier in response to an output of the power comparator; and a second gain controller for carrying out gain control of the second AGC amplifier in response to the output of the power comparator. The automatic gain control circuit can solve a problem of a conventional AGC circuit in that precision gain distribution cannot be achieved to the two AGC amplifiers because the two AGC amplifiers are controlled by a single control signal output from the automatic gain control circuit.

Abstract: A multimode fast attack automatic gain control (AGC) circuit (100) includes an analog feedback loop and a digital feedback loop. The analog feedback loop is switched into the amplifier stage (102) by a first switch (126) when dynamic control of the gain attenuation is desired. The digital feedback loop is switched into the amplifier stage when attenuation is to be adjusted periodically, such as between sequentially received time slots in a time division multiple access (TDMA) mode of communication.

Abstract: An automatic gain control method and apparatus for modem receivers. The automatic gain control circuit includes a programmable loop gain for scaling a digital signal Y to a first prescribed level during a first mode of operation and to a second prescribed level during a second mode of operation; and filters and converters for converting the scaled signal Y into an analog gain control signal for input to the analog AGC. The gain control circuit and method of operation provides control over the parameters of the programmable loop gain such that during start-up initialization the signal Y is scaled to the first prescribed value and during steady state operation the signal Y is scaled to the second prescribed value. This is accomplished by changing the gain parameter of the programmable loop gain.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus with reduced current consumption for a mobile terminal is disclosed. The transmission apparatus includes an automatic gain control (AGC) amplifier for AGC-amplifying an input baseband signal; an attenuator for attenuating an output signal of the AGC amplifier; a multiplier for multiplying an output signal of the attenuator by a carrier frequency signal to convert the signal into a radio frequency (RF) signal; a first filter for filtering an output signal of the multiplier; a drive amplifier for amplifying an output signal of the first filter; a second filter for filtering an output signal of the drive amplifier; a power amplifier for amplifying an output signal of the second filter; and an antenna. When output power of the mobile terminal is lower than predetermined maximum output power of the AGC amplifier, the output signal of the AGC amplifier is transmitted through the multiplier, the first filter and the antenna.

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: A receiving apparatus is disclosed which can cope with the fluctuation of input level of RF signal appropriately and has a first amplifier means wherein the amplifying and the attenuating of input signal are selectively performed and for processing the signal in a communication band handled by this apparatus, and a second amplifier means for gain-variably amplifying a signal, which is a signal converted from the output of the first amplification means 13 into the intermediate frequency signal or base band signal, the gain of the second amplifier means being set based on the detection of output level of the second amplifier means, and the selection of the amplification or attenuation in the first amplifier means, (13) being performed based on the detection level of output from the first amplifier means.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit (20) uses a series transistor (38) to couple the output of an amplifier (26) to a tuned circuit load (40) and to act as a variable resistance. In one embodiment for a multi-band receiver, multiple series transistors (38, 42) are switched for connecting different tuned circuits (40, 44) to the amplifier's output, and an activated one of the series transistors receives a gate voltage that varies its resistance so as to achieve gain control. An activated series transistors can also provide a resistance that stabilizes the amplifier (26).

Abstract: An attenuator unit for attenuating a signal, the unit includes a &pgr;-type attenuator having a first resistor and second and third resistors which are arranged on both sides of the first resistor, a first transistor connected in parallel with the first resistor, and a second transistor connected between a joint node of the second resistor and the third resistor and a first voltage level. In the unit, by controlling a gate voltage of the first transistor and a gate voltage of the second transistor, an attenuation value of the attenuator unit is changed.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel and improved AGC circuit which is generically configurable to accommodate a variety of AGC amplifier configurations to enhance IP3 performance and reduce required amplifier current, while providing a received power estimate which remains valid regardless of how the gain or attenuation is distributed among the various amplifiers. A generic control circuit maintains this power estimate in a single overall gain amplification value by distributing gain to at least two amplifier stages in response to that value. By programming or hard coding a few key parameters, a generic control circuit can control a wide variety of amplifier configurations. Among the configurations supported are switched LNA, switched variable gain LNA, variable gain, and a decoupled IF and UHF variable gain LNA configuration. The invention is extendable to include multi-stage amplifier configurations.