Patent ID: 7675380
Filing Date: 2010-03-09
Classification: H03H

Abstract:
1. An apparatus including an integrated digitally controlled linear-in-decibels attenuator circuit, comprising: a first plurality of attenuation control electrodes to convey a first plurality of digital control signals corresponding to a first signal attenuation value in accordance with a thermometer code; a second plurality of attenuation control electrodes to convey a second plurality of digital control signals corresponding to a second signal attenuation value in accordance with a bubble code; an input signal electrode to convey an input signal having a magnitude; an intermediate signal electrode to convey an intermediate signal corresponding to said input signal and having a magnitude which is less than said input signal magnitude in relation to said first signal attenuation value; an output signal electrode to convey an output signal corresponding to said intermediate signal and having a magnitude which is less than said intermediate signal magnitude in relation to said second signal attenuation value; a first resistive network coupled between said input and intermediate signal electrodes and responsive to said first plurality of digital control signals by attenuating said input signal to provide said intermediate signal; and a second resistive network coupled between said intermediate and output signal electrodes and responsive to said second plurality of digital control signals by attenuating said intermediate signal to provide said output signal.