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US 7,605,657 B2Granted
Multi-mode amplifier arrangement and method for controlling an amplifier arrangement
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorWerner Schelmbauer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multi-mode amplifier arrangement comprises an amplifier having a plurality of field effect transistors selectable in response to a control signal at a control terminal, said plurality of field effect transistors coupled to an input terminal to receive a signal to be amplified, said amplifier arranged between a supply terminal and a ground terminal. A tunable current source is coupled to the amplifier to provide in operation of the amplifier a constant drain current through the plurality of field effect transistors.
Claims24
A multi-mode amplifier arrangement, comprising:
- an amplifier transistor arrangement comprising:
- a plurality of parallel amplifier field effect transistors and a plurality of parallel switching field effect transistors;
- the switching field effect transistors respectively in series with the amplifier field effect transistors and selectable in response to a control signal at a control terminal, and the plurality of amplifier field effect transistors coupled to an input terminal to receive a signal to be amplified,
- wherein the amplifier transistor arrangement is arranged between a supply terminal and a ground terminal;
- and
- a tunable current source coupled to the amplifier transistor arrangement and configured to provide a substantially constant drain current through the amplifier transistor arrangement.
3 more elements
A multi-mode amplifier arrangement, comprising:
- a differential amplifier coupled between a first supply terminal and a second supply terminal, the differential amplifier comprising a plurality of field effect transistors that are selectable in response to a first control signal;
- a current source configured to provide a selectable output current in response to a second control signal, wherein the current source is coupled to the differential amplifier and configured to provide a constant current through the selected plurality of field effect transistors, wherein the current source comprises:
- a first tunable source disposed between the first supply terminal and a first branch of the differential amplifier, and
- a second tunable source disposed between the first supply terminal and a second branch of the differential amplifier.
1 more element
A multi-mode amplifier arrangement, comprising:
- a differential amplifier having a signal transfer function, wherein the differential amplifier is configured to operate in an interval of the signal transfer function, the differential amplifier comprising a tuning input terminal configured to receive a signal to change the position of the interval of the signal transfer function;
- a tunable current source coupled to the differential amplifier, and configured to provide a current through the differential amplifier that is substantially independent of the position of the interval, wherein the current changes the size of the interval of the signal transfer function.
A method for controlling an amplifier arrangement to operate in at least two different operation modes, comprising:
- providing a differential amplifier having a signal transfer function, and comprising a plurality of selectable field effect transistors;
- providing a tunable current source operably associated with the differential amplifier;
- providing a supply current to supply the differential amplifier;
- selecting an interval of the signal transfer function by selecting at least one of the field effect transistors of the plurality of field effect transistors;
- and
- selecting a size of the interval of the signal transfer function by tuning the current source,
- wherein selecting the interval is independent from selecting the size of the signal transfer function.
4 more elements
A multi-mode amplifier arrangement, comprising:
- an amplifier comprising a plurality of field effect transistors selectable in response to a control signal at a control terminal, the plurality of field effect transistors coupled to an input terminal to receive a signal to be amplified,
- wherein the amplifier is arranged between a supply terminal and a ground terminal;
- and
- a tunable current source coupled to the amplifier and configured to provide a substantially constant drain current through the selected plurality of field effect transistors;
- wherein the tunable current source is coupled to a first terminal of a current mirror transistor, and wherein the current mirror transistor is connected with its gate terminal to a first terminal that is coupled to the amplifier.
2 more elements
A multi-mode amplifier arrangement, comprising:
- a differential amplifier coupled between a first supply terminal and a second supply terminal, the differential amplifier comprising a plurality of field effect transistors that are selectable in response to a first control signal;
- a current source configured to provide a selectable output current in response to a second control signal, wherein the current source is coupled to the differential amplifier and configured to provide a constant current through the selected plurality of field effect transistors, wherein the current source is also coupled to a first terminal of a current mirror transistor, wherein the current mirror transistor is connected with its gate terminal to the first terminal, and wherein the first terminal is coupled to respective gate terminals of the plurality of field effect transistors of the differential amplifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.