Patent ID: 6173160
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: G01R,H03G

Abstract:
A method for operating a radio frequency (RF) signal power detector having an input node for receiving RF energy and an output node, comprising the steps of:providing an envelope detector comprised of a series coupled first capacitance, a diode, and a second capacitance, wherein a first terminal of said first capacitance is coupled to said input node, a second terminal of said first capacitance is coupled to a first terminal of said diode, a second terminal of said diode is coupled to a first terminal of said second capacitance, and a second terminal of said second capacitance is coupled to a reference potential, wherein an output of said envelope detector is taken between said second node of said diode and said first node of said second capacitance, said output of said envelope detector being coupled to said output node of said RF signal power detector through a third capacitance;during a time that an RF signal is not present, establishing a current flow path through said diode and storing a voltage potential appearing at said output of said envelope detector on said third capacitance; andduring a time that an RF signal is present, interrupting said current flow path and detecting with said diode the RF signal, whereby the voltage appearing at said output node of said RF signal power detector represents a peak value of the detected RF signal minus the voltage potential appearing on said third capacitance.