Systems, devices and methods related to radio-frequency step attenuators
AssigneeSkywoods Solutions, Inc.
InventorWilliam J. Domino
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, devices and methods related to radio-frequency (RF) step attenuators. In some embodiments, a step attenuator can include an attenuator circuit having stages connected in series between a first node and a second node. The stages can include a plurality of first attenuation steps with each configured to provide switchable attenuation with a first gain. The stages can further include a plurality of second attenuation steps with each configured to provide switchable attenuation with a second gain. The step attenuator can further include a controller in communication with the attenuator circuit. The controller can be configured to control the switchable attenuation of each of the first attenuation steps and the second attenuation steps.
Claims19
A step attenuator comprising:
- an attenuator circuit including stages connected in series between a first node and a second node, the stages including N first attenuation steps each configured to provide switchable attenuation with a first gain, the stages further including M second attenuation steps each configured to provide switchable attenuation with a second gain, the first gain having a value of (M+I) times the second gain;
- and a controller in communication with the attenuator circuit, the controller configured to control the switchable attenuation of each of the first attenuation steps and the second attenuation steps, wherein the attenuator circuit has an overall attenuation value in a range of approximately zero to a maximum value in steps of the second gain, the maximum value being a sum of N times the first gain and M times the second gain.
A method for attenuating a radio-frequency (RF) signal, the method comprising:
- passing an RF signal through an attenuator circuit including stages connected in series between a first node and a second node, the stages including N first attenuation steps each configured to provide switchable attenuation with a first gain, the stages further including M second attenuation steps each configured to provide switchable attenuation with a second gain, the first gain having a value of (M+I) times the second gain;
- and controlling the switchable attenuation of each of the first attenuation steps and the second attenuation steps to yield an overall attenuation for the RF signal between the first node and the second node, wherein the attenuator circuit has an overall attenuation value in a range of approximately zero to a maximum value in steps of the second gain, the maximum value being a sum of N times the first gain and M times the second gain.
A radio-frequency (RF) system comprising:
- a transceiver configured to generate an RF signal to be transmitted and process a received RF signal;
- an antenna in communication with the transceiver, the antenna configured to facilitate transmission and reception of the respective RF signals;
- and an attenuator implemented to provide attenuation for at least some of the RF signals, the attenuator including an attenuator circuit having stages connected in series between a first node and a second node, the stages including N. first attenuation steps each configured to provide switchable attenuation with a first gain, the stages further including M second attenuation steps each configured to provide switchable attenuation with a second gain, the first gain having a value of (M+I) times the second gain, the attenuator further including a controller in communication with the attenuator circuit, the controller configured to control the switchable attenuation of each of the first attenuation steps and the second attenuation steps, wherein the attenuator circuit has an overall attenuation value in a range of approximately zero to a maximum value in steps of the second gain, the maximum value being a sum of N times the first gain and M times the second gain.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.