The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 02, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 12, 1997
Applicant:
Inventors:
Xiaoyun Hu, Nepean, CA;
John Jackson Nisbet, Nepean, CA;
Assignee:
Nortel Networks Corporation, Montreal, CA;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H03F / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
330254 ; 330278 ; 330395 ;
Abstract
This invention relates to variable gain amplifiers. The general technique described consists of adding gain elements in parallel in order to create multiple-gain amplifier stages versus the usual dual-gain amplifier stages separated from one another by DC level shift modules. The gain elements are enabled or disabled individually in combinations, which provide a range of controlled gain steps. The main advantages are that current consumption and design complexity are greatly reduced, thereby increasing operating battery life of the device using this type of amplifier.