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:
Aug. 29, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 24, 2003
Derek Hing-sang Tam, Irvine, CA (US);
Ardie Venes, Laguna Niguel, CA (US);
Derek Hing-Sang Tam, Irvine, CA (US);
Ardie Venes, Laguna Niguel, CA (US);
Broadcom Corporation, Irvine, CA (US);
Abstract
A programmable gain amplifier with three stages uses fine steps, has a large gain range, and is monotonic. The first stage comprises several amplifiers, each including a resistive feedback loop. The feedback loop comprises a series of resistors, with each resistor acting as a tap. Since the number of resistors in the loop is unchanging, monotonicity and stability is guaranteed when resistance is increased using successive taps. A switch system connects two taps at a time to an interpolation stage. Each of these taps corresponds to a specific resistor level, and thus a gain level. The interpolation stage uses a plurality of current sources inside a feedback amplifier to control the interpolation, in order to provide fine gain steps.