US3628166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Wide-band amplifier
Assignee: RCA Licensing Corp
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Filing: 1970-06-03
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Granted: 1971-12-14
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Expires: 1990-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A wide-band amplifier including a pair of transistors is arranged in a cascode configuration. Input signals are controllably attenuated over a given range of amplitudes by a coupling network to stabilize at a predetermined amplitude those signals applied to the common-emitter transistor of the cascode pair for amplification. Such an arrangement enables the commonbase transistor of the transistor pair to develop output signals having significantly less distortion than would be present where input signals of the order of 100 millivolts or so are applied without any attenuation to the common-emitter transistor; it also enables the common-base transistor to maintain an output signalto-noise ratio substantially greater than would be the case if attenuation were employed throughout.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack R Harford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:46
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/189; H03F3/19; H03F3/195; H03G; H03G1/00; H03G1/0005; H03G1/0017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A wide-band amplifier comprising: a first transistor having a signal input electrode and a signal output electrode coupled to a signal output terminal of the amplifier; a source of automatic gain control signals; a source of input signals to be amplified; first means for coupling said input signal and automatic gain control signal sources to said input electrode, said means comprising a voltage divider including a substantially fixed resistance and the emitter-collector conduction path of a second transistor for coupling said input signals to said input electrode substantially without attenuation over a first range of input signal amplitudes and further coupling said input signals to said input electrode with controlled attenuation for input signal amplitudes beyond said range to effectively limit signal excursions at said input electrode to a level corresponding to the upper end of said first signal amplitude range; and second means coupled between said first and second transistors for sensing presence of input signal amplitude beyond said range and for transferring said first means to controlled attenuation operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A wide-band amplifier comprising: a first transistor having a signal input electrode and a signal output electrode coupled to a signal output terminal of the amplifier; a source of automatic gain control signals; a source of input signals to be amplified; first means for coupling said input signal and automatic gain control signal sources to said input electrode, said means comprising a voltage divider including a substantially fixed resistance and the emitter-collector conduction path of a second transistor for coupling said input signals to said input electrode substantially without attenuation over a first range of input signal amplitudes and further coupling said input signals to said input electrode with controlled attenuation for input signal amplitudes beyond said range to effectively limit signal excursions at said input electrode to a level corresponding to the upper end of said first signal amplitude range; and second means coupled between said first and second transistors for sensing presence of input signal amplitude beyond said range and for transferring said first means to controlled attenuation operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A wide-band amplifier as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means comprises negative feedback means for stabilizing the bias voltage at said input electrode for input signal amplitudes beyond said range.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A wide-band amplifier as defined in claim 2 wherein said first means is arranged for coupling said automatic gain control signals to said input electrode over said first range of signal amplitudes, and said first and second means stabilize said bias voltage and the amplitude of signal applied to said input electrode for signal amplitudes beyond said range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
142 words
A wide-band amplifier cOmprising: a first transistor having signal input and signal output terminals; a second transistor coupled to sense the current flow in said first transistor and biased into saturation for applied signals having a first range of amplitude excursions; a third transistor having an input electrode coupled to an output electrode of said second transistor and biased into nonconduction when said second transistor is in saturation; a source of input signals to be amplified; and means for coupling said source to said input of said first transistor, said means including an impedance coupling said signals to said first transistor substantially without attenuation over said first range of signal amplitude excursions and forming an attenuator network with said third transistor for signal amplitudes beyond said range effective in bringing said second transistor out of saturation and rendering said third transistor conducting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
A wide-band amplifier cOmprising: a first transistor having signal input and signal output terminals; a second transistor coupled to sense the current flow in said first transistor and biased into saturation for applied signals having a first range of amplitude excursions; a third transistor having an input electrode coupled to an output electrode of said second transistor and biased into nonconduction when said second transistor is in saturation; a source of input signals to be amplified; and means for coupling said source to said input of said first transistor, said means including an impedance coupling said signals to said first transistor substantially without attenuation over said first range of signal amplitude excursions and forming an attenuator network with said third transistor for signal amplitudes beyond said range effective in bringing said second transistor out of saturation and rendering said third transistor conducting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A wide-band amplifier as defined in claim 4 wherein there is also included a source of automatic gain control signals and means, including said source coupling means, for coupling said control signals to said input of said first transistor to vary the direct voltage bias level thereat over said first range of signal amplitudes and to stabilize said direct voltage bias level for signal amplitudes beyond said range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A wide-band amplifier as defined in claim 5 wherein said signal source coupling means additionally includes a fourth transistor arranged in an emitter follower configuration interposed between said signal source and said attenuator impedance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A wide-band amplifier as defined in claim 5 wherein said signal source coupling means additionally includes a fourth transistor arranged in an emitter follower configuration interposed between said attenuator impedance and the input electrode of said first transistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A wide-band amplifier as defined in claim 5 wherein said signal source coupling means includes a negative feedback loop including said second and third transistors coupled between said input of said first transistor and said source of gain control signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
A wide-band amplifier comprising: a pair of transistors arranged in cascode configuration having a signal input electrode and a signal output terminal; a source of input signals to be amplified; a source of automatic gain control signals; and means including an attenuator network coupling said input and gain control signals to said cascode configuration input electrode, said attenuator network substantially inoperative over a first range of input signal amplitudes wherein the amplitude of signals developed at said output terminal is primarily governed by said gain control signals, and said attenuator network being substantially operative beyond said range wherein the amplitude of signals developed at said output terminal is primarily governed by the attenuation of said input signals by said network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 words
A wide-band amplifier comprising: a pair of transistors arranged in cascode configuration having a signal input electrode and a signal output terminal; a source of input signals to be amplified; a source of automatic gain control signals; and means including an attenuator network coupling said input and gain control signals to said cascode configuration input electrode, said attenuator network substantially inoperative over a first range of input signal amplitudes wherein the amplitude of signals developed at said output terminal is primarily governed by said gain control signals, and said attenuator network being substantially operative beyond said range wherein the amplitude of signals developed at said output terminal is primarily governed by the attenuation of said input signals by said network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
164 words
A wide-band amplifier comprising: a pair of transistors arranged in cascode configuration having a signal input electrode and a signal output terminal; a source of input signals to be amplified; a source of automatic gain control signals; first means coupling said source of input signals to said signal input electrode; second means coupling said source of gain control signals to said input electrode; an attenuator network coupled to said first means; a signal threshold detector coupled between said signal input electrode and said attenuator network; and means for setting the threshold of signal detection for causing said attenuator network to be substantially inoperative over a first range of input signal amplitudes, wherein the amplitude of signals developed at said output terminal is primarily governed by said automatic gain control signals, and for causing said attenuator network to be substantially operative beyond said range, wherein the amplitude of signals developed at said output terminal is primarily governed by the resulting attenuation of said input signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
164 words
A wide-band amplifier comprising: a pair of transistors arranged in cascode configuration having a signal input electrode and a signal output terminal; a source of input signals to be amplified; a source of automatic gain control signals; first means coupling said source of input signals to said signal input electrode; second means coupling said source of gain control signals to said input electrode; an attenuator network coupled to said first means; a signal threshold detector coupled between said signal input electrode and said attenuator network; and means for setting the threshold of signal detection for causing said attenuator network to be substantially inoperative over a first range of input signal amplitudes, wherein the amplitude of signals developed at said output terminal is primarily governed by said automatic gain control signals, and for causing said attenuator network to be substantially operative beyond said range, wherein the amplitude of signals developed at said output terminal is primarily governed by the resulting attenuation of said input signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
A wide-band amplifier as defined in claim 10 wherein said cascode connected transistors, said first and second means, said attenuator network, and said signal threshold detector are included in a negative feedback loop to stabilize the bias voltage at said signal input electrode for input signal amplitudes beyond said first range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A wide-band amplifier as defined in claim 1 wherein a third transistor is included to couple said signal output electrode to said amplifier output terminal in a manner to form a cascode configuration with said first transistor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
124 words
A wide-band amplifier comprising a first transistor having a signal input electrode and a signal output electrode; a source of automatic gain control signals; a source of input signals to be amplified; first means for coupling said input signal and automatic gain control signal sources to said input electrode over at least a first range of input signal levels; second means for sensing input signal amplitude beyond said first range and for stabilizing the bias voltage at said input electrode and the gain of said first transistor in response to sensing of said amplitude; and third means coupling said second means to said first means for varying the level of signals supplied to said input electrode in response to said sensing of said amplitude.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
124 words
A wide-band amplifier comprising a first transistor having a signal input electrode and a signal output electrode; a source of automatic gain control signals; a source of input signals to be amplified; first means for coupling said input signal and automatic gain control signal sources to said input electrode over at least a first range of input signal levels; second means for sensing input signal amplitude beyond said first range and for stabilizing the bias voltage at said input electrode and the gain of said first transistor in response to sensing of said amplitude; and third means coupling said second means to said first means for varying the level of signals supplied to said input electrode in response to said sensing of said amplitude.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A wide-band amplifier according to claim 13 wherein said second means comprises negative feedback means coupled to said input electrode for maintaining said bias voltage and said gain of said first transistor substantially fixed for input signals beyond said first range.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
89 words
A wide-band amplifier according to claim 14 wherein said first means comprises a variable divider network including a substantially fixed impedance and a variable impedance transistor for coupling said input signals to said input electrode substantially without attenuation over at least said first range of amplitudes and further coupling said input signals to said input electrode with controlled attenuation for input signal amplitudes beyond said range to limit signal excursions at said input electrode to a level corresponding substantially to the upper end of said first signal amplitude range.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wide-band amplifier according to claim 15 wherein said second means is further coupled to said variable impedance transistor for transferring said first means to controlled attenuator operation while stabilizing said bias voltage for input signals beyond said range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-13 | 1975-06-14 | 1975-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-13 | 1979-06-14 | 1979-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-13 | 1983-06-14 | 1983-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |