Programmable Variable Gain Amplifier for Temperature-Dependent Gain Gradient

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional variable gain amplifiers have a temperature-independent gain control, which fails to compensate for temperature variations, leading to inconsistent signal power in communication systems.

Innovation Solution

A variable gain amplifier design that incorporates a programmable gain control signal, allowing the gain gradient to be controlled based on temperature, using additional programmable signals that generate a signal proportional to absolute temperature, enabling temperature-dependent gain adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If temperature-independent gain control is used, then the control signal stability is improved, but the signal power consistency over temperature deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol signal stabilityVSAvoidsignal power consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a static temperature-independent gain control to a dynamic temperature-dependent gain control. The gain control signal is modified to include a temperature-dependent component that automatically adjusts the amplifier gain based on temperature variations, thereby maintaining signal power consistency across different operating temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of gain control from being temperature-independent to temperature-dependent. By introducing temperature as a variable parameter in the gain control equation, the system adapts the amplifier characteristics to compensate for temperature-induced signal power variations while maintaining control stability through structured signal composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If temperature-dependent gain control is implemented, then the signal power consistency over temperature is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal power consistencyVSAvoidgain control circuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary temperature-dependent signal as a mediator between the temperature environment and the gain control mechanism. This intermediate signal serves as a reference that captures temperature variations and uses it to modulate the gain control, thereby achieving temperature compensation without directly complex temperature sensing and control circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If gain gradient is constant over temperature, then the control simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to temperature variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidtemperature adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the gain gradient dynamic by introducing temperature dependence. The gain control signal is structured to include a temperature-dependent component that automatically adjusts the amplifier gain based on temperature variations, thereby maintaining signal power consistency across different operating temperatures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8098100B2Variable gain amplifiers

Publication Date: 2012.01.17 MEDIATEK INC

AI summary

Variable gain amplifiers with controllable gain gradient over temperature. A variable gain amplification circuit comprises an input terminal receiving an input signal, an output terminal outputting an output signal, and a control terminal receiving a first gain control signal. The relationship between gain of the variable gain amplification circuit and temperature is programmable rather than temperature independent, and is controlled by the first gain control signal obtained by a second gain control signal and a third gain control signal. The second gain control controls gain of a variable gain amplification circuit linearly, the third gain control signal controls gain gradient of the variable gain amplification circuit over temperature and the third gain control signal is determined based on a formula ofSCT=∑n=1N⁢Sn⁡[(TT0)n-1],in which T0 represents a predetermined temperature, T represents a present temperature, and Sn represents the nth programmable signal.