Amplifier gain shaping control

Abstract

Amplifiers with new circuit topologies for gain shaping and gain control are described herein. An example amplifier circuit with gain control includes a differential transistor pair, a main transistor pair coupled to the differential transistor pair, an auxiliary transistor pair coupled to the differential transistor pair, and a resistive impedance coupled between base terminals of the auxiliary transistor pair. The resistive impedance can include a pair of matched resistors coupled between base terminals of the auxiliary transistor pair. The amplifier can also include a capacitor coupled from a virtual ground node between the pair of matched resistors to ground. The amplifier circuits described herein can present a preferred gain response as compared to other amplifiers, at both midband and peaking frequencies. The amplifier circuits also offer additional options for control of gain at midband frequencies, among other benefits.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.