Patent ID: 6452452
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: H03F,H03G

Abstract:
A method for controlling the gain of a transistor having a control electrode, a first input/output electrode and a second input/output electrode, wherein an input signal is applied to said control electrode and an output signal is derived from said first input/output electrode, and said second input/output electrode is coupled to a reference node to realize a common electrode transistor configuration, said method comprising the steps of:(a) coupling a controllable electronic conductance between the control electrode and first input/output electrode of said common electrode transistor; and (b) controlling the operation of said controllable electronic conductance in such a manner as to adjust the forward loop gain, without varying the operating point, of said common electrode transistor, wherein said controllable electronic conductance includes a rectifying PN junction coupled with the control electrode and first input/output electrode of said common electrode transistor, and a variable current source coupled with said rectifying PN junction and being operative to control the current through and thereby the conductance through said controllably electronic conductance, so as to control the voltage fed back from said first input/output electrode to the control electrode of said common electrode transistor.