A multi-gain LNA with inductive source degeneration is presented. The inductive source degeneration is provided via a tunable degeneration network that includes an inductor in parallel with one or more switchable shunting networks. Each shunting network includes a shunting capacitor that can selectively be coupled in parallel to the inductor. A capacitance of the shunting capacitor is calculated so that a combined impedance of the inductor and the shunting capacitor at a narrowband frequency of operation is effectively an inductance. The inductance is calculated according to a desired gain of the LNA. According to one aspect, the switchable shunting network includes a resistor in series connection with the shunting capacitor to provide broadband frequency response stability of the tunable degeneration network. According to another aspect, the LNA includes a plurality of selectable branches to further control gain of the LNA.

A dynamic amplifier includes a first output capacitor, a first switch, a current source, a second switch, a voltage detector, a third switch and a level shifter. The first switch is coupled between a first terminal of the first output capacitor and a voltage detection node. The second switch is coupled to the current source and the voltage detection node. The voltage detector is coupled to the voltage detection node and the first switch. The third switch is coupled between the voltage detection node and a power source. The level shifter is coupled to a second terminal of the first output capacitor.

A signal amplifying circuit and associated methods and apparatuses, the circuit comprising: a signal path extending from an input terminal to an output terminal, a gain controller arranged to control the gain applied along the signal path in response to a control signal; an output stage within the signal path for generating the output signal, the output stage having a gain that is substantially independent of its supply voltage, and a variable voltage power supply comprising a charge pump for providing positive and negative output voltages, the charge pump comprising a network of switches that is operable in a number of different states and a controller for operating the switches in a sequence of the states so as to generate positive and negative output voltages together spanning a voltage approximately equal to the input voltage.

A circuit includes a front end section configured to receive input current signals; a programmable gain amplifier section coupled to the front end section, the programmable gain amplifier section including a plurality of inverters connected in series without a resistor disposed therebetween; and an output buffer section coupled to the programmable gain amplifier section and configured to output voltage signals.

A variable gain amplifier (1) includes: a signal transmission circuit (10, 20) including amplifying transistor units (11.sub.1 to 11.sub.N, and 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.N) connected in parallel between a signal input port (2P, 2N) and a signal output port (3P, 3N); a load circuit (40) connected between a supply line of power supply voltage (VDD) and an output end of the signal transmission circuit (10, 20); a signal short circuit (30) including a short-circuit transistor unit (31) connected between the supply line of the power supply voltage (VDD) and an input end of the signal transmission circuit (10, 20), a constant-current source circuit (42), and a transistor control circuit (46). The transistor control circuit (46) selects transistor units to be turned on, from among the amplifying transistor units (11.sub.1 to 11.sub.N, and 21.sub.1 to 21.sub.N) and the short-circuit transistor unit (31), and supplies control voltages for turning on the selected transistor units.

In a gain control device, a gain control voltage adjust circuit includes a time-constant circuit and outputs an adjusted gain control voltage depending on an adjustment signal and a control voltage generated by a differential amplifier upon input of the adjustment signal. An adjustment signal generation circuit outputs the adjustment signal during an adjustment signal output period. This period is a specified period before a first burst signal is output from a signal output unit and where a burst signal is not output from the signal output unit. The adjustment signal is to make the adjusted gain control voltage closer to a target voltage. The target voltage is a gain control voltage output from the gain control voltage adjust circuit and corresponding to a steady part of a second burst signal. The second burst signal is a burst signal output before the first burst signal.

An active device and circuits utilized therewith are disclosed. In an aspect, the active device comprises an n-type transistor having a drain, gate and bulk and a p-type transistor having a drain, gate and bulk. The n-type transistor and the p-type transistor include a common source. The device includes a first capacitor coupled between the gate of the n-type transistor and the gate of the p-type transistor, a second capacitor coupled between the drain of the n-type transistor and the drain of p-type transistor and a third capacitor coupled between the bulk of the n-type transistor and the bulk of p-type transistor. The active device has a high breakdown voltage, is memory less and traps even harmonic signals.

A signal amplifying circuit and associated methods and apparatuses, the circuit comprising: a signal path extending from an input terminal to an output terminal, a gain controller arranged to control the gain applied along the signal path in response to a control signal; an output stage within the signal path for generating the output signal, the output stage having a gain that is substantially independent of its supply voltage, and a variable voltage power supply comprising a charge pump for providing positive and negative output voltages, the charge pump comprising a network of switches that is operable in a number of different states and a controller for operating the switches in a sequence of the states so as to generate positive and negative output voltages together spanning a voltage approximately equal to the input voltage.

Disclosed herein are signal amplifiers having a plurality of amplifier cores. Individual amplifier cores can be designed for particular gain modes to enhance particular advantages while reducing other disadvantages. The signal amplifier can then switch between amplifier cores when switching gain modes to achieve desired performance characteristics (e.g., improving noise figure or linearity). Examples of signal amplifiers disclosed herein include amplifier architectures with a high gain amplifier core that reduces the noise figure and a linearity boost amplifier core that increases linearity (e.g., for lower gain modes). The disclosed signal amplifiers have a first active core with amplification chains for each of a plurality of inputs and a second active core with a single amplification chain to amplify signals received at the plurality of inputs.

A low capacitance n-channel analog switch circuit, a p-channel analog switch circuit, and a full CMOS transmission gate (T-gate) circuit are described. Resistive decoupling can be used to isolate the switch or T-gate from AC grounds. A semiconductor region that is separated from a body region of a pass field-effect transistor (FET), such as by an insulator, can be coupled to or driven to a voltage similar to the input voltage or other desired bias voltage (e.g., an operational amplifier output) to help reduce parasitic capacitance of the switch or T-gate. The switch or T-gate can help provide improved frequency bandwidth or frequency response. The switch can be useful in a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) or programmable gain instrumentation amplifier (PGIA) or other circuit in which excessive switch capacitance could degrade circuit performance.