Nortel Networks Corporation

Ian I Grant

Mark Stephen Wight

Stephen H Brazeau

It is an object of the invention to provide a peak detector with improved precision for low amplitude AC signals for a broad range of input frequencies. One embodiment of the invention is broadly defined as an AC peak detector for receiving an input signal and a negative DC potential and providing an inverted peak output signal approximating an inverted steady state peak of the input signal, the AC peak detector comprising: a semiconductor junction means for receiving the input signal and the inverted peak output signal, and generating a correction signal proportional to an exponential function of the input signal and the inverted peak output signal; a resistance means for receiving the correction signal and sinking a bias current through the semiconductor junction means to the negative DC potential, such that the current/voltage characteristic of the semiconductor junction remains in an exponential region; and an amplifying means for receiving the correction signal and amplifying and inverting the correction signal to produce the inverted peak output signal, and for sourcing the constant bias current.

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Nepean, Canada

Ian I Grant