Signal strength meter circuitry

Claim 2

In a signal receiver which includes connected intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier and detector stages, a signal strength metering circuit comprising: a signal strength meter; means for developing and applying a substantially constant potential to said meter to effect a given deflection; means coupled to said detector stage for developing a potential proportional to the noise portion of a received signal below a given level and for applying said potential to said signal strength meter to effect a proportionate reduction in said given deflection; and means coupled to said IF amplifier stage for developing a potential proportional to the received signal above said given level and for applying said potential to said signal strength meter to effect a proportionate increase in deflection of said meter.

Claim 3

The signal strength metering circuit of claim 1 wherein said means for developing and applying a substantially constant potential includes an impedance and a uni-directional conduction device coupled intermediate a potential source and a potential reference level.

Claim 4

The signal strength metering circuit of claim 1 wherein said means coupled to said detector stage for developing a potential proportional to the noise portion of a received signal includes a noise rectifier stage coupled to said means for developing and applying a substantially constant potential to said meter.

Claim 5

The signal strength metering circuit of claim 1 wherein said means coupled to said detector stage for developing a potential proportional to the noise portion of a received signal includes an amplifier stage coupled to said detector stage, a bandpass network coupled to said amplifier stage, a rectifier stage coupled to said bandpass network, and a filter network coupling said rectifier stage to said means for developing and applying a substantially constant potential to said meter.

Claim 6

The signal strength metering circuit of claim 1 wherein said means coupled to said IF amplifier stage includes a rectifier stage coupled to said signal strength meter.

Claim 7

The signal strength metering circuit of claim 1 including a rectifier stage in the form of a voltage doubler circuit coupling said IF amplifier stage to said signal strength meter.

Claim 8

The signal strength metering circuit of claim 1 including an amplifier stage coupled to said IF amplifier stage, a bandpass circuit coupled to said amplifier stage, and a rectifier stage coupling said bandpass circuit to said signal strength meter.

Claim 9

In a signal receiver having series connected radio frequency (RF), intermediate frequency (IF), and detector stages, a signal strength metering means comprising: a meter for indicating signal strength; means coupled to said IF amplifier stages and responsive to a received signal above a given level for developing a potential proportional to said received signal and for applying said potential to said meter; fixed potential development means including a series conducted impedance and uni-directional conductiOn device coupled intermediate a potential source and a potential reference level with said impedance and uni-directional conduction device having a junction coupled to said meter; and means responsive to the noise portion of a received signal below said given level coupled to said detector stage and to said fixed potential development means whereby a potential provided by said fixed potential means is reduced by noise portion of said received signal below said given level and applied to said meter.

Claim 10

In a signal receiver having series connected radio frequency (RF), intermediate frequency (IF), and detector stages, a signal strength metering means comprising: a meter for indicating signal strength; means coupled to said IF amplifier stages and responsive to a received signal above a given level for developing a potential proportional to said received signal and for applying said potential to said meter; fixed potential development means including a series conducted impedance and uni-directional conductiOn device coupled intermediate a potential source and a potential reference level with said impedance and uni-directional conduction device having a junction coupled to said meter; and means responsive to the noise portion of a received signal below said given level coupled to said detector stage and to said fixed potential development means whereby a potential provided by said fixed potential means is reduced by noise portion of said received signal below said given level and applied to said meter.

Claim 11

The signal strength metering means of claim 8 wherein said means coupled to said IF amplifier stage includes a rectifier stage in the form of a voltage doubler coupled to said meter.

Claim 12

The signal strength metering means of claim 8 wherein said means coupled to said detector stage includes a rectifier stage coupled to said fixed potential means.

Claim 13

The signal strength metering means of claim 8 including an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit coupling said means for developing a potential proportional to said received signal above a given level to said RF amplifier stages.