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:
May. 20, 2008
Filed:
Apr. 14, 2006
Mario Chiricosta, Messina, IT;
Philippe Sirito-olivier, Carro par Martigues, FR;
Mario Chiricosta, Messina, IT;
Philippe Sirito-Olivier, Carro par Martigues, FR;
STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;
Abstract
A variable-gain amplifier includes an amplifier stage; an attenuating network receiving an input signal; a plurality of transconductance stages, connected between respective nodes of the attenuating network and the amplifier stage, wherein each of the transconductance stages has a differential circuit, configured to supply differential currents to the amplifier stage; and a gain-control circuit for controlling the transconductance stages according to an electrical control quantity. Each of the transconductance stages further includes a current-divider circuit associated to the differential circuit and controlled by the gain-control circuit so as to divide the differential currents between the amplifier stage and a dispersion line proportionally to the control quantity.