Patent ID: 7847613
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: H03B,H03J,H03L

Abstract:
1. A variable transconductance device for a mixer apparatus comprising: at least one variable current source circuit having a plurality of selectively enabled current source stages, wherein each said current source stage is independently enabled one relative to the other responsive to a respective current source stage control signal, each said current source stage when enabled being actuable to establish a conductive path between a first supply level and an output terminal; and, at least one variable transconductance circuit having a plurality of selectively enabled transconductance stages, wherein each said transconductance stage is independently enabled one relative to the other responsive to a respective transconductance stage control signal, each said transconductance stage when enabled being actuable to establish a conductive path between a second supply level and said output terminal; wherein an output current signal is generated at said output terminal responsive to an input voltage signal, the output current signal exhibiting a power gain adjustably determined responsive to the numbers of said current source and transconductance stages selectively enabled in the variable current source and variable transconductance circuits; wherein said current source stages each include a control switch component and a current source component coupled in series; and, said transconductance stages each include a control switch component and a transconductance component coupled in series.