Programmable Gain Amplifier
First Claim
1. A system comprising:
- a front end comprisinga first transconductor configured to receive a voltage and generate a current proportional to the voltage received by the first transconductor,a second transconductor in parallel with the first transconductor and configured to receive a voltage and generate a current proportional to the voltage received by the second transconductor, anda switch configured to create a signal path from an input of the front end to an output of the front end through alternatively the first transconductor or the second transconductor; and
a back end comprisinga first current-mode gain stage configured to receive current from the front end and to generate a current proportional to the current received from the front end,a second current-mode gain stage in series with the first current-mode gain stage, configured to receive current via the first current-mode gain stage, and configured to generate current proportional to the current received by the second current-mode gain stage, anda switch configured to select whether or not the second current-mode gain stage is included in a signal path from an input of the back end to an output of the back end.
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Abstract
A programmable gain amplifier comprising alternatively selectable parallel circuits in a front end and independently selectable serial amplification circuits in a back end. The front end may include, for example, a plurality of transconductors in parallel and each configured to generate a current proportional to a received voltage. A ratio of the generated current to the received voltage being different for each of the transconductors. The back end is configured to receive an output of a selected member of the parallel circuits and may include a plurality of current or voltage mode amplifiers in series. For example, the back end may include a plurality of current-mode gain stages and switches configured to control which of the current-mode gain stages are used to amplify the output of the front end. The programmable gain amplifier may be used between a signal receiver and an analog to digital converter.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a front end comprising a first transconductor configured to receive a voltage and generate a current proportional to the voltage received by the first transconductor, a second transconductor in parallel with the first transconductor and configured to receive a voltage and generate a current proportional to the voltage received by the second transconductor, and a switch configured to create a signal path from an input of the front end to an output of the front end through alternatively the first transconductor or the second transconductor; and a back end comprising a first current-mode gain stage configured to receive current from the front end and to generate a current proportional to the current received from the front end, a second current-mode gain stage in series with the first current-mode gain stage, configured to receive current via the first current-mode gain stage, and configured to generate current proportional to the current received by the second current-mode gain stage, and a switch configured to select whether or not the second current-mode gain stage is included in a signal path from an input of the back end to an output of the back end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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receiving a signal; setting a first switch to alternatively create a first signal path through a first but not a second of a plurality of parallel transconductors, or create the first signal path through the second but not the first of the plurality of parallel transconductors; generating a first current proportional to a voltage of the signal by passing the signal through the first signal path; setting a second switch to alternatively create a second signal path through a first and a second of a plurality of serial current-mode gain stages, or create the signal path through the second but not the first of the serial current-mode gain stages; and generating a second current proportional to the first current by passing the signal through the second signal path. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system comprising:
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a front end comprising alternatively selectable parallel means for receiving a voltage and converting the received voltage to a current; a back end comprising serial means for variably amplifying the current; and control logic configured to control a ratio between the received voltage and the current, and a ratio between the current and the amplified current. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification