A differential amplifier circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a field effect transistor (FET) connected between the first transistor and the second transistor, a first current source connected to the first transistor, a second current source connected to the second transistor, and a control circuit. The first transistor and the second transistor generate a differential output signal in accordance with an input signal and a reference signal. The control circuit includes a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series between the drain and the source of the FET, a center node between the first resistor and the second resistor, a third resistor connected between the gate of the FET and the center node, and a variable current source. The variable current source supplies a control current to the third resistor in accordance with a gain control signal. The control circuit controls on-resistance of the FET.

An active gain control circuit includes a voltage divider having a variable resistance configured to attenuate a rectified input line voltage to produce a reference signal, a filter circuit configured to extract a DC-level reference voltage from the reference signal, and an operational amplifier configured to receive the DC-level reference voltage and a comparison voltage, and to generate a gate control signal based on a difference between the comparison voltage and the DC-level reference voltage, wherein a resistance of the voltage divider is controlled by the gate control signal.

A circuit having a DC-to-DC converter and an input circuit connected on the line side of the DC-to-DC converter, having a first terminal and a second terminal for connection to a power supply and a third terminal and a fourth terminal for connection to the DC-to-DC converter. Between the first and third terminals, the input circle has a semiconductor element, wherein a first component terminal of the semiconductor element is connected via at least a first capacitor and a second capacitor to a second component terminal of the semiconductor element, wherein a resistance of the semiconductor element is controllable by a voltage between the first component terminal and the second component terminal.

The disclosure provides a time gain compensation (TGC) circuit. The TGC circuit includes an impedance network. A differential amplifier is coupled to the impedance network. The differential amplifier includes a first input port, a second input port, a first output port and a second output port. A first feedback resistor is coupled between the first input port and the first output port. A second feedback resistor is coupled between the second input port and the second output port. The impedance network provides a fixed impedance to the differential amplifier when a gain of the TGC circuit is changed from a maximum value to a minimum value.

A circuit comprises an amplifier network including a first amplifier and a second amplifier and a first transistor having a first base. The first transistor is thermally isolated from the second amplifier. The circuit further comprises a second transistor having a second base. The second transistor is thermally linked to the second amplifier. The circuit further comprises coupling circuitry configured to couple the first base to the second base.

The disclosure provides a time gain compensation (TGC) circuit. The TGC circuit includes an impedance network. A differential amplifier is coupled to the impedance network. The differential amplifier includes a first input port, a second input port, a first output port and a second output port. A first feedback resistor is coupled between the first input port and the first output port. A second feedback resistor is coupled between the second input port and the second output port. The impedance network provides a fixed impedance to the differential amplifier when a gain of the TGC circuit is changed from a maximum value to a minimum value.

A differential amplifier circuit disclosed includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a field effect transistor (FET) connected between the first transistor and the second transistor, a first current source connected to the first transistor, a second current source connected to the second transistor, and a control circuit. The first transistor and the second transistor generates a differential output signal in accordance with an input signal and a reference signal. The control circuit includes a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series to each other between drain and source of the FET, a center node between the first resistor and the second resistor, a third resistor connected between gate of the FET and the center node, and a variable current source. The variable current source supplies a control current to the third resistor in accordance with a gain control signal. The control circuit controls on-resistance of the FET.

A transimpedance amplifier (TIA) circuit disclosed includes an input terminal, a first TIA circuit, a second TIA circuit, a field effect transistor (FET), and a gain control circuit. The first TIA circuit outputs a voltage signal from a first output in accordance with an input current received at a first input electrically connected to the input terminal. The second TIA circuit outputs a reference signal from a second output. The FET varies a resistance between a first current terminal and a second current terminal in accordance with a control signal applied to a control terminal. The first current terminal is electrically connected to the input terminal. The second current terminal is electrically connected to the second output of the second TIA circuit. The gain control circuit detects an amplitude of the voltage signal and generates the control signal according to a detection result of the amplitude.

The present disclosure describes a method and system for linearizing an amplifier using transistor-level dynamic feedback. The method and system enables nonlinear amplifiers to exhibit linear performance using one or more of gain control elements and phase shifters in the feedback path. The disclosed method and system may also allow an amplifier to act as a pre-distorter or a frequency/gain programmable amplifier.

A signal processor and method. The signal processor includes a signal current path. The signal processor includes a transconductor. The transconductor has an input operable to receive an input voltage of the signal processor. The transconductor also has an output operable to output a current based on the input voltage. The signal processor also includes a processing stage coupled to the output of the transconductor to receive and process the current outputted by the transconductor. The signal processor further includes a current replicator operable to generate a replica current proportional to the current outputted by the transconductor. The signal processor also includes a comparator operable to compare an output of the current replicator with a reference. The signal processor further includes a current limiter operable to limit the current outputted by the transconductor based on the comparison of the output of the current replicator with the reference.