US5347388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Push-pull optical receiver having gain control
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1991-09-03
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Granted: 1994-09-13
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Expires: 2011-09-03
Abstract
Abstract A receiver is described for optical signals which are amplitude modulated with broadband radio frequency signals. The receiver includes an optical detector which receives the incoming optical signal and generates a radio frequency electrical signal which varies with the power level of the incoming optical signal. This electrical signal is applied to a pair of amplifiers which are connected in a push-pull relationship. A gain control circuit controls the gain of the amplifier pair.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank R. Little
- 👤 Herman A. Kruse
- 👤 John G. Megna
- 👤 Rezin E. Pidgeon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:16
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03G; H03G3/00; H03G3/20; H03G3/30; H03G3/3084; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/04; H03F3/08; H03F3/082; H03F3/26; H03F3/265; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/60; H04B10/66; H04B10/69; H04B10/693; H04B10/6931; H04B10/697; H04B10/6972; H04B10/6973
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
264 words
An optical receiver circuit for an incoming optical signal having broadband radio frequency amplitude modulation, said circuit comprising: an optical detector for receiving said optical signal and generating therefrom an electrical signal which varies with the optical signal power level; first means for amplifying said electrical signal; second means for amplifying said electrical signal; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprising a transimpedance amplifier stage including a first field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to a terminal of said optical detector and each drain terminal being connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each further comprising a high impedance buffer amplifier stage having an input terminal connected to the drain terminal of its respective transimpedance amplifier stage and an output terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull coupling means; a gain control circuit responsive to a control signal for varying a gain of said first amplifying means and second amplifying means; and wherein the high impedance buffer amplifier stages of said first and second amplifying means each comprise a second field effect transistor having a drain terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull coupling means, a gate terminal connected to the drain terminal of said first field effect transistor and a source terminal connected to said gain control circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
264 words
An optical receiver circuit for an incoming optical signal having broadband radio frequency amplitude modulation, said circuit comprising: an optical detector for receiving said optical signal and generating therefrom an electrical signal which varies with the optical signal power level; first means for amplifying said electrical signal; second means for amplifying said electrical signal; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprising a transimpedance amplifier stage including a first field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to a terminal of said optical detector and each drain terminal being connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each further comprising a high impedance buffer amplifier stage having an input terminal connected to the drain terminal of its respective transimpedance amplifier stage and an output terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull coupling means; a gain control circuit responsive to a control signal for varying a gain of said first amplifying means and second amplifying means; and wherein the high impedance buffer amplifier stages of said first and second amplifying means each comprise a second field effect transistor having a drain terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull coupling means, a gate terminal connected to the drain terminal of said first field effect transistor and a source terminal connected to said gain control circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical receiver in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gain control circuit comprises a pin diode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
245 words
An amplifier adapted to amplify a signal generated by an optical detector which varies with an optical signal power level applied to the detector, said amplifier comprising: first means for amplifying said signal; second means for amplifying said signal; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprising a transimpedance amplifier stage including a field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to an input terminal of said amplifier and each drain terminal being connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; means for coupling said first amplifying means to said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each further comprising a high impedance buffer amplifier stage having an input terminal connected to the drain terminal of the respective transimpedance amplifier stage and an output terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull coupling means; a gain control circuit responsive to a control signal for varying the gain of said first and second amplifying means; and wherein the high impedance buffer amplifier stages of said first and second amplifying means each comprise a second field effect transistor having a drain terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull coupling means, a gate terminal connected to the drain of said first field effect transistor and a source terminal connected to said gain control circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
245 words
An amplifier adapted to amplify a signal generated by an optical detector which varies with an optical signal power level applied to the detector, said amplifier comprising: first means for amplifying said signal; second means for amplifying said signal; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprising a transimpedance amplifier stage including a field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to an input terminal of said amplifier and each drain terminal being connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; means for coupling said first amplifying means to said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each further comprising a high impedance buffer amplifier stage having an input terminal connected to the drain terminal of the respective transimpedance amplifier stage and an output terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull coupling means; a gain control circuit responsive to a control signal for varying the gain of said first and second amplifying means; and wherein the high impedance buffer amplifier stages of said first and second amplifying means each comprise a second field effect transistor having a drain terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull coupling means, a gate terminal connected to the drain of said first field effect transistor and a source terminal connected to said gain control circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical receiver in accordance with claim 3 wherein said gain control circuit comprises a pin diode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
160 words
An optical receiver circuit for an incoming optical signal having broadband radio frequency amplitude modulation, said circuit comprising: an optical detector for receiving said optical signal and generating therefrom an electrical signal which varies with the optical signal power level; first means for amplifying said electrical signal; second means for amplifying said electrical signal; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprising a transimpedance amplifier stage including a first field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to a terminal of said optical detector and each drain terminal being connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship; and a gain control circuit responsive to a control signal for varying a gain of said first amplifying means and second amplifying means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
160 words
An optical receiver circuit for an incoming optical signal having broadband radio frequency amplitude modulation, said circuit comprising: an optical detector for receiving said optical signal and generating therefrom an electrical signal which varies with the optical signal power level; first means for amplifying said electrical signal; second means for amplifying said electrical signal; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprising a transimpedance amplifier stage including a first field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to a terminal of said optical detector and each drain terminal being connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; means for coupling said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship; and a gain control circuit responsive to a control signal for varying a gain of said first amplifying means and second amplifying means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
An optical receiver in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each further comprise: a high impedance buffer amplifier stage having an input terminal connected to the drain terminal of its respective transimpedance amplifier stage and an output terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull connecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical receiver in accordance with claim 6 wherein said push-pull connecting means comprises a transformer including: a primary winding having a first terminal at one end thereof connected to the output terminal of said first amplifying means, a second terminal at the other end thereof connected to the output terminal of said second amplifying means and a third terminal connecting an intermediate section of said secondary winding to ground through a DC blocking capacitor; and a secondary winding having output terminals adapted for connection to a CATV coaxial cable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
142 words
An amplifier adapted to amplify a signal generated by an optical detector which varies with an optical signal power level applied to the detector, said amplifier comprising: first means for amplifying said signal; second means for amplifying said signal; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprising a transimpedance amplifier stage including a field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to an input terminal of said amplifier and each drain terminal being connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; means for coupling said first amplifying means to said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship; and a gain control circuit responsive to a control signal for varying a gain of said first and second amplifying means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
An amplifier adapted to amplify a signal generated by an optical detector which varies with an optical signal power level applied to the detector, said amplifier comprising: first means for amplifying said signal; second means for amplifying said signal; said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each comprising a transimpedance amplifier stage including a field effect transistor having a gate terminal, a drain terminal and a source terminal, each of said gate terminals being connected to an input terminal of said amplifier and each drain terminal being connected to the gate terminal of the same field effect transistor through a selectable feedback resistor; means for coupling said first amplifying means to said second amplifying means in a push-pull relationship; and a gain control circuit responsive to a control signal for varying a gain of said first and second amplifying means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The amplifier of claim 8 wherein said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means each further comprise: a high impedance buffer amplifier stage having an input terminal connected to the drain terminal of the respective transimpedance amplifier stage and an output terminal connected to a terminal of said push-pull connecting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
87 words
The amplifier of claim 9 wherein said push-pull connecting means comprises a transformer including: a primary winding having a first terminal at one end thereof connected to the output terminal of said first amplifying means, a second terminal at the outer end thereof connected to the output terminal of said second amplifying means, and a third terminal connecting an intermediate portion of said secondary winding to ground through a DC blocking capacitor; and a secondary winding having output terminals adapted for connection to a CATV coaxial cable.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-09-12 | 1998-03-14 | 1998-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-12 | 2002-03-14 | 2002-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-12 | 2006-03-14 | 2006-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |