Lucent Technologies Inc.

Tom T Daniel

Elias Bonaventure Kpodzo

Mark J Van De Walle

Circuits for continuously varying the gain control for a low noise amplifier (LNA) of a wireless receiver are described. The gain, input third order intercept point (IIP ) and noise figure (NF) of an LNA are continuously varied according to the received power levels, causing the receiver to utilize less current at different power levels. At high gain levels the IIP and NF are at a minimum, while at low gain levels the IIP and the NF are at a maximum. By continuously varying the gain of an LNA throughout the operational range, the present invention achieves wider dynamic range and higher power efficiency. According to one aspect, the present invention includes a power coupler and a power detector which are utilized to produce a rectified voltage which is proportional to the input power or output power of an LNA. The rectified voltage is utilized by a control circuit which produces a signal which controls the gain, IIP and NF of the LNA. According to another aspect, diode circuitry is utilized to produce the rectified voltage.

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Edison, NJ, United States of America

Tom T Daniel