Selective input level wireless receiver

A selective power level front end receiver comprising:

• a band pass filter operating over a band of frequencies with a given input impedance;
• a low noise amplifier for amplifying input signals from a signal reception means;
• said amplifier providing a given impedance at the input thereof and providing an output impedance that matches said given input impedance of said band pass filter when operating over a given received input power level;
• an attenuator for attenuating input signals from said signal reception means and presenting said given impedance at the input thereof and providing an output impedance that matches said given input impedance of said band pass filter;
• and
• a switch coupled between said input signal reception means and said amplifier and said attenuator for selectively applying said input signals from said reception means to said amplifier for signals with power levels below a given power threshold level and said attenuator for signals with power levels at or above said power threshold level whereby said receiver front end provides gain for weak signals and attenuation for strong signals at or above said given threshold without affecting the input and output impedance levels.

A method of providing selective power level at the input of a receiver wherein said receiver includes a filter providing a desired band pass characteristic when a given input impedance is present, comprising the steps of:

• providing a signal amplifier for amplifying input signals to said receiver and presenting said given impedance when the input signal is below a given input power level;
• providing an attenuator for matching said given impedance and attenuating input signals to said receiver when the input power levels is at or above said given power level;
• and
• switching an input signal from said amplifier to said attenuator when the input signal level is at or above said given power level.