Decoder-Controlled Variable Gain Amplifier for Wider Linear Range

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional variable gain amplifiers have limited linear variable gain ranges, requiring multiple amplifiers in parallel or series, which increases cost and device area, making it difficult to achieve a wide range of linear variable gain in applications like LTE wireless communication.

Innovation Solution

A variable gain amplifier design incorporating first and second input terminals, output terminals, fixed and variable resistors, and a decoder that adjusts resistance values of the variable resistors using control bits to achieve a wider linear variable gain range, with the decoder generating and transmitting control bits to adjust resistance values of the resistors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple variable gain amplifiers are arranged in parallel or series to increase linear variable gain range, then the linear variable gain range is improved, but the cost and device area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelinear variable gain rangeVSAvoiddevice area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The amplifier is divided into multiple functional blocks (first amplifier block, second amplifier block, third amplifier block) with each block having specific gain ranges. The decoder selectively activates different blocks based on the desired gain, allowing a single device to provide multiple gain ranges that would otherwise require multiple separate amplifiers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The amplifier implements dynamic switching between different amplifier blocks based on control signals from the decoder. The resistance values of variable resistors are dynamically adjusted to change the gain of active amplifier blocks, enabling the system to adapt its characteristics rather than requiring fixed multiple parallel amplifiers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple variable gain amplifiers are arranged in parallel or series to increase linear variable gain range, then the linear variable gain range is improved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelinear variable gain rangeVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single amplifier device performs multiple functions by selectively activating different amplifier blocks for different gain ranges. The decoder and variable resistor network serve universal purposes across all gain ranges, eliminating the need for separate dedicated amplifiers for each gain range and reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple amplifier blocks that would traditionally require separate physical devices are merged into a single integrated circuit. Shared components such as the decoder, variable resistors, and power supply are common to all amplifier blocks, reducing component count and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple variable gain amplifiers are arranged in parallel or series to increase linear variable gain range, then the linear variable gain range is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelinear variable gain rangeVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The decoder serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of switching between multiple amplifier blocks. Instead of requiring complex interconnections between multiple separate amplifiers, the decoder centrally controls which blocks are active and adjusts the variable resistors accordingly, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10008996B2Variable gain amplifier and method of operating the same

Publication Date: 2018.06.26 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

The inventive concepts relate to variable gain amplifiers. The variable gain amplifier including an amplifier, a first fixed resistor and a first variable resistor, a second fixed resistor and a second variable resistor, a third fixed resistor and a third variable resistor, a fourth fixed resistor and a fourth variable resistor, a first output terminal and a second output terminal, and a decoder may be provided. The decoder is configured to receive first control bits, generate second control bits from the first control bits, generate third and fourth control bits from the first or second control bits, respectively, transmit the first control bits and the third control bits to the third and fourth variable resistors to adjust resistance values, and transmit the second and fourth control bits to first and second variable resistors to adjust resistance values.