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.

Date of Patent:
Dec. 26, 2017

Filed:

May. 31, 2016
Applicant:

Stmicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;

Inventors:

Marco Sautto, Vittuone, IT;

Fabio Quaglia, Pizzale, IT;

Giulio Ricotti, Broni, IT;

Andrea Mazzanti, Modena, IT;

Assignee:

STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza, IT;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H03F 1/02 (2006.01); H03G 1/00 (2006.01); H03F 3/45 (2006.01); H03F 3/217 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H03G 1/0094 (2013.01); H03F 3/2175 (2013.01); H03F 3/45264 (2013.01); H03F 2200/312 (2013.01); H03F 2203/45288 (2013.01);
Abstract

A programmable-gain amplifier includes: two complementary cross-coupled transistor pairs mutually coupled with each transistor in one pair having a current flow path cascaded with a current flow path of a respective one of the transistors in the other pair. First and second coupling points are formed between the pairs; with first and second sampling capacitors coupled thereto. First and second input stages have input terminals to input signals for sampling by the first and second sampling capacitors. Switching means couple the first and second input stages to the sampling capacitors so the input signals are sampled as sampled signals on the sampling capacitors. The switching means energizes the complementary cross-coupled transistor pairs so the signals sampled on the sampling capacitors undergo negative resistance regeneration growing exponentially over time to thereby provide an exponential amplifier gain.


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