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US 9,755,580 B2Granted
Tunable logarithmic amplifier
AssigneeEthertronics, Inc.
InventorsLaurent Desclos, Olivier Pajona
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosure concerns a tunable logarithmic detector amplifier (TLDA) system where dynamic tuning functionality is applied to resonant circuits used for feedback control as well as applying tuning to the amplifier. Control signals for the tuning function are generated from the baseband processor. The control of the amplifier tuning and resonator tuning can be performed from information derived from baseband where metrics such as SNR, SINR or CQI are used to optimize system performance. Bandwidth and sensitivity of the receiver are key specifications targeted for optimization using this technique. This technique can be implemented in designs where a wide bandwidth is required.
Claims18
A tunable logarithmic amplifier, comprising:
- an amplifying circuit having a first voltage input coupled to ground and a second voltage input coupled to a control bus via a first control line extending therebetween, wherein the control bus is configured to vary the second input voltage communicated through the first control line for configuring a response of the amplifying circuit;
- and
- a first tunable resonator circuit comprising:
- at least one voltage-controlled tunable component, the voltage-controlled tunable component being coupled to the control bus via a second control line extending therebetween,
- wherein an output of the amplifying circuit is coupled to the first tunable resonator circuit, and
- wherein an output of the first tunable resonator circuit is further coupled to an input of the amplifying circuit at a first node disposed therebetween;
- the tunable logarithmic amplifier further characterized by:
- a sampling circuit coupled to the amplifying circuit;
- and
- a frequency to voltage converter coupled to each of the sampling circuit and an output port of the tunable logarithmic amplifier;
- wherein the frequency to voltage converter is further coupled to the control bus via control lines extending therebetween.
8 more elements
A communication system, comprising:
- an antenna coupled to an RF switch,
- the RF switch further coupled to each of a transmit section and a receive section,
- the transmit section comprising a transmitter sub-system coupled to a power amplifier and a first filter, and
- the receive section comprising a receiver sub system, a tunable logarithmic amplifier, and a second filter,
- wherein each of the transmit and receive sections is further coupled to a baseband processor;
- said tunable logarithmic amplifier comprising:
- an amplifying circuit having a first voltage input coupled to ground and a second voltage input coupled to a control bus via a first control line extending therebetween, wherein the control bus is configured to vary the second input voltage communicated through the first control line for configuring a response of the amplifying circuit;
- and
- a first tunable resonator circuit comprising:
- at least one voltage-controlled tunable component, the voltage-controlled tunable component being coupled to the control bus via a second control line extending therebetween,
- wherein an output of the amplifying circuit is coupled to the first tunable resonator circuit, and
- wherein an output of the first tunable resonator circuit is further coupled to an input of the amplifying circuit at a first node disposed therebetween;
- the tunable logarithmic amplifier further characterized by:
- a sampling circuit coupled to the amplifying circuit;
- and
- a frequency to voltage converter coupled to each of the sampling circuit and an output port of the tunable logarithmic amplifier;
- wherein the frequency to voltage converter is further coupled to the control bus via control lines extending therebetween.
14 more elements
A communication system, comprising:
- an antenna coupled to an RF switch,
- the RF switch further coupled to a power amplifier and a tunable logarithmic amplifier,
- the tunable logarithmic amplifier further coupled to a demodulator,
- wherein each of the RF switch, tunable logarithmic amplifier, and demodulator are further coupled to a baseband processor;
- said tunable logarithmic amplifier comprising:
- an amplifying circuit having a first voltage input coupled to ground and a second voltage input coupled to a control bus via a first control line extending therebetween, wherein the control bus is configured to vary the second input voltage communicated through the first control line for configuring a response of the amplifying circuit;
- and
- a first tunable resonator circuit comprising:
- at least one voltage-controlled tunable component, the voltage-controlled tunable component being coupled to the control bus via a second control line extending therebetween,
- wherein an output of the amplifying circuit is coupled to the first tunable resonator circuit, and
- wherein an output of the first tunable resonator circuit is further coupled to an input of the amplifying circuit at a first node disposed therebetween;
- the tunable logarithmic amplifier further characterized by:
- a sampling circuit coupled to the amplifying circuit;
- and
- a frequency to voltage converter coupled to each of the sampling circuit and an output port of the tunable logarithmic amplifier;
- wherein the frequency to voltage converter is further coupled to the control bus via control lines extending therebetween.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.