Electronic vernier systems and methods
First Claim
1. An electronic vernier for processing a differential input signal into a plurality of progressive differential output signals, comprising:
- first and second impedance ladders that differentially receive and progressively process said differential input signal into a plurality of progressive differential signals;
an output circuit having differential output terminals;
a plurality of activatable differential coupling networks that each differentially receives a respective one of said progressive differential signals and differentially couples it across said output circuit to form a respective one of said progressive differential output signals at said differential output terminals;
andwherein each of said plurality of activatable differential coupling networks comprises a switch network that activates said each of said coupling networks.
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Abstract
An electronic vernier realizes programmable gain steps with first and second impedance ladders, a plurality of activatable coupling networks and a switch network. The ladders receive and progressively process the differential input signal into a plurality of progressive differential signals. In an embodiment, the coupling networks each generate a respective one of a plurality of progressive differential output signals in response to a respective one of the progressive differential signals and the switch network activates any selected one of the coupling networks. Thus, any selected vernier step is obtained by activating the respective coupling network. The verniers can be integrated into various systems, e.g., programmable amplifiers.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic vernier for processing a differential input signal into a plurality of progressive differential output signals, comprising:
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first and second impedance ladders that differentially receive and progressively process said differential input signal into a plurality of progressive differential signals; an output circuit having differential output terminals; a plurality of activatable differential coupling networks that each differentially receives a respective one of said progressive differential signals and differentially couples it across said output circuit to form a respective one of said progressive differential output signals at said differential output terminals; and wherein each of said plurality of activatable differential coupling networks comprises a switch network that activates said each of said coupling networks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A programmable gain system, comprising:
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at least one programmable gain device having device gain steps; and an electronic vernier which is coupled in series with said programmable gain device to receive a differential input signal, said vernier including; a) first and second impedance ladders that differentially receive and progressively process said differential input signal into a plurality of progressive differential signals; b) an output circuit having differential output terminals; c) a plurality of activatable differential coupling networks that each differentially receives a respective one of said progressive differential signals and differentially couples it across said output circuit to form a respective one of a plurality of progressive differential output signals at said differential output terminals; and
wherein each of said plurality of activatable differential coupling networks comprisesd) a switch network that activates said each of said coupling networks; said progressive differential output signals forming vernier gain steps that are sized to span any one of said device gain steps. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for processing a differential input signal into a plurality of progressive differential output signals, comprising the steps of:
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receiving said differential input signal with first and second impedance ladders to form a plurality of progressive differential signals; activating any one of a plurality of coupling networks to select a respective one of said progressive differential signals; and in response to said activating step, differentially coupling said one of said progressive differential signals through first and second resistors of an output circuit to form a respective one of said progressive differential output signals at differential output terminals. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification