High dynamic range low-power differential input stage
AssigneeNXP B.V.
InventorOswald Josef Moonen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A low-power high dynamic range RF input stage (200) with a noiseless degeneration component, such as a capacitor (201), is provided. High dynamic range means a combination of low noise contribution by the stage (200) and a low level of intermodulation products occurring especially at high input levels. Low power means that the power consumption of a conventional input stage is about 5 times higher than the power consumption of the stage according to the invention, for the same noise, gain and distortion level. This new stage can be used in amplifiers, but also in the lower stage of double balanced mixers (300-400) commonly used in RF receivers, examples of which are applications, are provided.
Claims23
A low-power high dynamic range differential input stage, comprising:
- first and second differential input transistors connected to a differential input signal, each transistor having an internal base resistance of Rb and a small signal emitter resistance of re;
- a first and second collector resistor respectively coupled to a first and second collector of the first and second differential transistor;
- and an emitter degeneration component connected between a first and second emitter, respectively, of the first and second differential transistor.
A method for lowering power consumption and raising the dynamic range of a differential input stage, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first and second differential input transistor each having an internal base resistance of Rb and a small signal emitter resistance of re;
- connecting the provided first and second differential input transistor to a first and second differential input signal;
- connecting a first and second collector resistor respectively to a first and second collector of the first and second differential transistor;
- providing an emitter degeneration component;
- and connecting the emitter degeneration component between a first and second emitter, respectively, of the first and second differential transistor.
A method for lowering power consumption and raising the dynamic range of a differential input stage, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first and second differential input amplification component;
- connecting the provided first and second differential input amplification component to a differential input signal;
- connecting a noiseless component between the first and second differential input amplifier component to achieve a predictable gain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.