U.S. Philips Corporation

Albertus J Van Uden

Eise Carel Dijkmans

Theodorus J Van Kessel

In a circuit for amplifying and/or attenuating a signal, which circuit comprises an amplifier stage (3) having an inverting input and a non-inverting input and an output, a first voltage divider (5) having n taps (6.1, 6.2, . . . , 6.n) is arranged between an input terminal (1) and ultimately a point of constant potential (18). The taps (6.1, 6.2, . . . , 6.n) are connected to a first controllable switching unit (7) for switching individual ones of the taps (6.1 to 6.n) to the non-inverting input of the amplifier stage (3). Further, a second voltage divider (11) having m taps (12.1, 12.2, . . . , 12.m) is connected between an output terminal (2), which is the output of the amplifier stage (3), and (ultimately) the point of constant potential (18). The taps (12.1 to 12.m) are connected to a second controllable switching unit (13) for switching individual ones of the taps (12.1 to 12.m) to the inverting input of the amplifier stage (3).

Circuit for amplifying and/or attenuating a signal

A step-controlled attenuator circuit which, in order to avoid audible switching clicks in audio equipment, employs current-controlled switches. A switch is switched on by means of a gradually increasing control current and a switch to be switched off is turned off by means of a gradually decreasing control current.

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Eindhoven, Netherlands

Albertus J Van Uden