Patent ID: 6891361
Filing Date: 2005-05-10
Classification: G01R,G11B,H03G

Abstract:
1. A method for testing operating characteristics of a device under test, which is included within a circuit, said method comprising the steps of: testing operating characteristics of said device utilizing electronic components that already exist within said circuit, wherein a test circuit is not utilized to test said continuous time device; said circuit including a variable gain amplifier (VGA) and an automatic gain correction (AGC) circuit; testing said operating characteristics of said device utilizing said variable gain amplifier and said AGC circuit; programming said AGC for a first reference gain setting; programming said device for a first reference gain; applying a first reference input signal to said circuit, said first reference input signal having a first amplitude; capturing a first control signal value output from said AGC and input to said VGA to control a gain of said VGA; applying a second reference input signal to said circuit, said second reference input signal having a second amplitude; capturing a second control signal value output from said AGC and input to said VGA to control a gain of said VGA; and characterizing said VGA by determining a difference between said first amplitude and said second amplitude with respect to a difference between said first control signal value and said second control signal value.