Dbm Optics, Inc.

Michael Paul Atwell

Michael Minneman

Elwood James Egerton

Multiple stage ranging circuitry for a measuring circuit includes a first ranging circuit that selectively amplifies an input signal by respective amounts according to the magnitude of the input signal thereto, and a second ranging circuit coupled to the output of the first ranging circuit selectively amplifies the output signal from the first ranging circuit by a respective amount according to the magnitude of that output signal to provide a measured output. The multiple stage ranging circuitry increases dynamic range and provides for high speed measurements over that dynamic range. A method of ranging for high speed signal measurements over a wide dynamic range includes directing an input signal to a first ranging stage that responds at one speed to set ranging over a relatively wide variation in input signal magnitudes, and directing the output signal from the first ranging stage to a second ranging stage responsive at a second speed faster than the one speed to set ranging over a relatively narrower range of signal magnitudes to provide for signal measurement.

Bifurcated range stages to increase speed or dynamic range of measuring instruments and associated methods

A range selection circuit ( ), including a logarithmic amplifier ( ) and output circuitry ( ) associated therewith, is configured to directly drive linear ranging circuitry for measurement circuitry ( ) in an optical power meter ( ) to measure signals that vary over a wide range of, for example, from about &minus;7 dB to about &minus;45 dB. This allows the optical power meter to change ranges as fast as one (1) times the hardware settling time. The range selection circuitry is in parallel with the measurement circuitry, which allows ranging to happen in real time.

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Broadview Heights, OH, United States of America

Michael Paul Atwell