Low-power, low-noise dual gain amplifier topology and method
First Claim
1. A low-power, low-noise, dual gain amplifier comprising:
- first and second amplifier transistors each coupled for receiving a radio frequency input, said first amplifier transistor comprising a high gain amplifier and connected for operating in common emitter mode, and said second amplifier transistor comprising a low gain amplifier and connected for operating in the common collector mode, said first and second amplifier transistors being connected for alternate activation.
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Abstract
In a low-heightened power, low-heightened noise dual gain amplifier, first and second, transistors have their emitter-collector circuits connected in series between the ground and a bus voltage. A radio frequency input terminal is coupled to the bases of both transistors. The first transistor is connected across the ground and an output terminal and operated in the common emitter mode. The first transistor operates as a high gain amplifier. A second transistor is connected across the output terminal and a bus voltage. First and second switching transistors switch first and second biasing sources to render first and second amplifier transistors conducted for operation in the high gain or low gain mode. Additionally, a third switching transistor is ac coupled across the input terminals of the first and second amplifier transistors. The third switching transistor is biased along with the first switching transistor for selectively coupling the RF input to the high gain or low gain amplifying transistor.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A low-power, low-noise, dual gain amplifier comprising:
first and second amplifier transistors each coupled for receiving a radio frequency input, said first amplifier transistor comprising a high gain amplifier and connected for operating in common emitter mode, and said second amplifier transistor comprising a low gain amplifier and connected for operating in the common collector mode, said first and second amplifier transistors being connected for alternate activation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- 7. A method of amplifying a radio frequency signal at a selected gain level comprising the steps of providing first and second amplifier transistors for coupling to the signal, said first and second amplifier transistors being connected in the common emitter and the common collector modes respectively, selectively alternately activating said first and second amplifier transistors and amplifying the signal at a high gain with said first amplifier transistor and multiplying said the signal at a low gain with said second amplifier transistor.
Specification