US5216384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable amplifier device
Assignee: Alcatel Espace Industries SA
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Filing: 1992-05-21
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Granted: 1993-06-01
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Expires: 2012-05-21
Abstract
Abstract An amplifier device has a gain programmable between 2 n and 2 n-1 in steps of 2 p where p<n and n is the number of gain control bits. The device comprises a plurality of stages having two gain values selectable by a control bit and at least two identical stages having a different control bit. Each stage has a maximum gain less than 2 n-1 .
Inventors
- 👤 Claude Vanhecke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:33
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03G; H03G3/00; H03G3/001; H03G1/00; H03G1/0005; H03G1/0088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Amplifier device having a gain programmable between 2 n and 2 n-1 in steps of 2 p where p<n and n is the number of gain control bits, said device comprising: an input stage having a fixed gain: a plurality of amplifier stages having two gain values selectable by a control bit, with at least two of said amplifier stages being identical stages having a different control bit, each stage having a maximum gain less than 2 n-1 ; an output matching stage; and first and second current regulator circuits enabling use of a current variation law enabling amplifier stage gain variations to be compensated, said first circuit being always enabled and said second circuit being controlled by an on/off switching signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Amplifier device having a gain programmable between 2 n and 2 n-1 in steps of 2 p where p<n and n is the number of gain control bits, said device comprising: an input stage having a fixed gain: a plurality of amplifier stages having two gain values selectable by a control bit, with at least two of said amplifier stages being identical stages having a different control bit, each stage having a maximum gain less than 2 n-1 ; an output matching stage; and first and second current regulator circuits enabling use of a current variation law enabling amplifier stage gain variations to be compensated, said first circuit being always enabled and said second circuit being controlled by an on/off switching signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 1 implemented as an application specific integrated circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said amplifier stages are connected in cascade and said two identical amplifier stages are disposed in the middle of said plurality of amplifier stages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said input stage comprises two branches in parallel between a supply voltage and ground, each branch comprising in series a resistor, a first transistor, two transistors in parallel receiving a signal delivered by said first current regulator circuit and two resistors a common point of which constitutes an input point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
112 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein each switchable gain amplifier stage comprises two branches in parallel each comprising a resistor, a first transistor and a twin-emitter second transistor, said two branches being connected to two inputs of a switching circuit through two resistors and said switching circuit being grounded through a third transistor which receives a signal from said second current regulator circuit operating as a direct current generator, input interface circuits respectively connected to the base of each twin-emitter second transistor enabling level conversion for cascading said stages and a voltage comparator circuit which receives a signal from said first current regulator circuit enabling the stage gain to be selected.
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) | 1996-05-31 | 1996-11-30 | 1997-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-31 | 2000-11-30 | 2001-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-31 | 2004-11-30 | 2005-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |