Patent Abstract:
To detect the peaks level of an incoming signal, the difference between the voltage level of the incoming signal and a voltage developed across a capacitor is amplified. The amplified difference signal is applied to a transconductor adapted to vary its output current in response to changes in the amplified difference signal. The variations in the current generated by the transconductor are used to change a current flowing through a current mirror that charges the capacitor. The voltage developed across the capacitor represents the detected peak. The capacitor is discharged to a predefined voltage level during the reset periods. A second amplifier receiving the capacitor voltage is optionally used to develop a voltage across a second capacitor that is not reset and thus carries only the detected peak levels.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of the following U.S. provisional Applications: 
   Application No. 60/728,634, filed Oct. 20, 2005, entitled “A High Data Rate Envelope Detector For High Speed Optical Storage Application”; 
   Application No. 60,816,307, filed Jun. 22, 2006, entitled “High Data Rate Envelope Detector For High Speed Optical Storage Application”; the contents of both which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to electronic circuits, and more particularly to detection of peak levels of a voltage signal used in such circuits. 
   As is known, a peak detector is an analog circuit adapted to detect the peak levels of a signal. A peak detector with a reset capability is commonly referred to as an envelop detector. Envelope detectors are widely used in gain control and spectral energy estimation. Many of the conventional peak detectors or envelope detectors (collectively and alternatively referred to hereinbelow as peak detector) can only operate at low to middle frequency bands, e.g., 1 kHz to 10 kHz, and low to middle data rate applications. 
   Other conventional peak detectors designed to operate at higher frequencies have a number of shortcomings. Among these shortcomings are relatively high sensitivity to temperature, and fabrication process variations. Furthermore, because such detectors often use MOS transistors that operate in subthreshold regions, their peak detection performance is highly dependent on the waveform of the signal they receive. Accordingly, these detectors also have a relatively high sensitivity to the signal waveform, as described further below. 
   A conventional high-speed peak detector using MOS transistors operating in subthreshold regions may accurately detect peak level P 0  of signal S 1 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . However, for a signal that remains unchanged even temporarily after reaching its peak, such as signal S 2  shown in  FIG. 2 , such conventional peak detectors detect a peak level P 2  that often overshoots the actual peak level P 3 . The amount of overshoot ΔP is dependent, in addition to the signal waveform, on the temperature and process variations. 
     FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a peak detector  10 , as known in the prior art. Transistors M 2  and M 3  form a current discharge path that discharge node PV carrying the detected peak voltage. Because this discharge path is slow, peak detector  10  fails to detect some of the peak levels of signal Vin.  FIG. 4  shows a typical waveform of signal Vin received by peak detector  10 . Because of its slow discharge path, peak detector  10  may only detect peaks P 4  and P 7  and thus fail to detect peaks P 5  and P 6 . Peak detector  10  is then inoperative in applications such as high-speed optical storage applications, e.g., DVD read/write drivers that require nearly all peaks to be detected. Accordingly, a need continues to exist for a peak detector adapted to operate at relatively high frequencies, and that has a minimized sensitivity to temperature, process and waverform variations. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   To detect the peaks level of an incoming signal, the difference between the voltage level of the incoming signal and a voltage developed across a capacitive load is amplified. The amplified difference signal is applied to a transconductor adapted to vary its output current in response to changes in the amplified difference signal. The variations in the current generated by the transconductor is used to change a current flowing through a current mirror that charges the capacitive load. The voltage developed across the capacitive load represents the detected peak. The capacitive load is discharged to a predefined voltage level during the reset periods. 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a peak detector includes, in part, a first amplifier, a transconductor, a capacitive load, and a switching circuit. The amplifier is adapted to amplify the difference between the voltage level of the signal whose peaks are being detected and the voltage level of a node so disposed as to carry the detected peak. The amplified difference is applied to a transconductor which is adapted to vary its output current signal in response to the signals it receives. The current generated by the transconductor causes the capacitive load, which is coupled to the node, to be charged to the value representing the detected peak. The peak detector further includes a current mirror adapted to charge the capacitive load in response to the transconductor output current. The switching circuit is responsive to a reset signal which provide a discharge path for the charges stored in the capacitive load. 
   Some embodiments of the present invention include a second amplifier and a second capacitive load. The second amplifier includes a first input terminal adapted to receive the detected peak voltage across the first capacitive load, and a second input terminal coupled to its output terminal. The output terminal of the second amplifier drives the second capacitive load via a second switching circuit that is responsive to a clock signal. Accordingly, the voltage across the second capacitive load is adapted to vary between the detected peak levels. The first and second capacitive loads may be capacitors. 
   In some embodiments, the first amplifier includes, in part, a first transistor adapted to receive the input signal; a second transistor adapted to receive the voltage developed across the first node, a first resistive load having a first terminal coupled to a first voltage supply and a second terminal coupled to a first terminal of the first transistor, a second resistive load having a first terminal coupled to the first voltage supply and a second terminal coupled to a first terminal of the second transistor, and a current source defining a sum of currents flowing through the first and second transistors. The first and second resistive loads may be resistors, formed from polysilicon, or may be transistors. The current source may be a cascode current source. 
   In some embodiments, the amplified difference signal is a differential signal that includes a differentially positive signal and a differentially negative signal. In such embodiments, the transconductor, includes in part, a first transistor adapted to receive the differentially positive signal, a second transistor adapted to receive the differentially negative signal, a first resistive load having a first terminal coupled to the first voltage supply and a second terminal coupled to a first terminal of the first transistor, a second resistive load having a first terminal coupled to the first voltage supply and a second terminal coupled to a terminal of the second transistor, and a current source defining a sum of currents flowing through the first and second MOS transistors. In some embodiments, each of the first and second resistive loads is an MOS transistor of a first conductivity type. The current mirror optionally includes a first transistor having a first terminal coupled to an output terminal of the transconductor, a second terminal coupled to the first node, and a third terminal coupled to the first voltage supply, and a second transistor having first and second terminals coupled to the output terminal of the transconductor, and a third terminal coupled to the first voltage supply. The current source may be a cascode current source. The first and second transistors of the current mirror may be MOS transistors of the first conductivity type, which in some exemplary embodiments is P-type. 
   In some embodiments, the reset signal has a programmable duration defined by N×T, wherein T is a cycle time of the input signal, and N is an integer greater than zero. The delay between successive transitions of the reset signal and the input signal may be programmable, and the clock signal has a programmable duration equal to the duration of the reset signal. The delay between successive transitions of the reset signal and the clock signal may be defined by S×T, wherein S is an integer greater than zero. The reset and clock signals are generated during different phases of the input signal. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, to detect peaks level of an incoming signal, a first signal having a voltage level defined by an amplified difference of a feedback voltage signal and the voltage of the incoming signal is generated. The variations in the voltage level of the first signal are used to vary the level of a first current. The first current is used, in turn, to charge a first capacitive load to which the feedback signal is responsive. The capacitive load carries the detected peak level voltage across its terminals. The capacitive load is charged to a predefined voltage level during the reset periods. The first current may be used to mirror a current that is supplied to the capacitive load. 
   In some embodiments, a second voltage having a level defined by an amplified difference of a second feedback voltage signal and the first voltage is generated. The second voltage is, in turn, used to charge a second capacitive load to which the feedback signal is responsive. Accordingly, the voltage across the second capacitive load is adapted to vary between the detected peak levels and is not reset to predefined levels. The second capacitive load is responsive to a clock signal. 
   In some embodiments, the reset signal has a programmable duration defined by N×T, wherein T is a cycle time of the input signal, and N is an integer greater than zero. The delay between successive transitions of the reset signal and the incoming signal may be programmable, and the clock signal has a programmable duration equal to the duration of the reset signal. The delay between successive transitions of the reset signal and the clock signal may be defined by S×T, wherein S is an integer greater than zero. The reset and clock signals are generated during different phases of the input signal. 
   An peak detector, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, includes amplifying means for generating a first signal having a voltage level defined by an amplified difference of a feedback voltage and the voltage of the incoming signal, transconductor means for varying a level of a first current in response to changes in the first voltage level, charging means for charging a first capacitive load to which the feedback signal is responsive; and means for discharging the first capacitor in response to a reset signal. 
   Such embodiments also include means for mirroring a second current generated in a first transistor in response to the variations in the first current level; and means for supplying the mirrored current to the first capacitive load. Some embodiments also include means for switching a circuit in response to the reset signal during each reset period to discharge the first capacitive load to a predefined value. Some embodiments also include means for generating a second voltage having a level defined by an amplified difference of a second feedback voltage and the first voltage; and means for charging a second capacitive load in response to changes in the second voltage level. The second capacitive load is responsive to a clock signal. 
   In some embodiments, the reset signal has a programmable duration defined by N×T, wherein T is a cycle time of the input signal, and N is an integer greater than zero. The delay between successive transitions of the reset signal and the incoming signal may be programmable, and the clock signal has a programmable duration equal to the duration of the reset signal. The delay between successive transitions of the reset signal and the clock signal may be defined by S×T, wherein S is an integer greater than zero. The reset and clock signals are generated during different phases of the input signal. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a waveform of a triangular signal, as known in the prior art. 
       FIG. 2  is a waveform of a step signal, as known in the prior art. 
       FIG. 3  is a waveform of a signal having a multitude of peaks, as known in the prior art. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a peak detector, as known in the prior art. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a peak detector, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an exemplary timing diagram of the signal detected by peak detector of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  shows a timing diagram of a number of reset signals, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an envelop detector, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is an exemplary timing diagram of the signal detected by the envelop detector of  FIG. 8 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a transistor schematic diagram of the peak detector of  FIG. 5 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 11A-11H  show various devices in which the present invention may be embodied. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 5  is a simplified high-level block diagram of an peak detector  100 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Peak detector  100  is shown as including, in part, a differential amplifier  102 , a transconductor  104 , and a current mirror  106 . In some embodiments, differential amplifier may have a relatively low gain and a high bandwidth, and transconductor  104  may have a medium gain and a relatively high bandwidth. As described in detail below, peak detector  100  has a substantially reduced sensitivity to temperature, fabrication process and input signal waveform as compared to known peak detectors. Peak detector  100  is adapted to be used in applications requiring high data rates, such as optical storage applications, where high data rate peaking signals need to be detected to enable optimum and/or automatic power control. 
   To detect the peak levels of signal Vin, switch  108  is initially closed to enable sampling capacitor  108  to be reset to voltage Vreset. Voltage Vreset is selected so as to be lower than the minimum peak value the detector is adapted to detect. After capacitor  108  is fully charged to this voltage level, switch  108  is opened. As a consequence, the difference between input voltage Vin and voltage Vout carried by node N 1  is amplified by differential amplifier  102  which has a gain of Av. The amplified differential output voltages V 1   + , V 1   −  generated by amplifier  102  are supplied to transconductor  104  which, in response, generates a signal V 2  defined by the product of transconductance (gin) of transconductor  104  and the difference between the voltages V 1   + , V 1   − . 
   If voltage Vin is greater than voltage Vout, voltage V 2  generated by transconductor  104  is decreased, which in turn, causes PMOS transistor  114  of current mirror  106  to rapidly charge capacitor  108 , thereby causing voltage Vout to increase. This is referred to as the tracing phase. If voltage Vout is slightly larger than voltage Vin, transconductor  104  causes the voltage V 2  to increase, thereby shutting off transistors  112  and  114  so as to hold voltage Vout at the detected peak value. Therefore, the voltage potential at node N 1 , i.e., voltage Vout, is held at the peak value. This is referred to as the hold phase. 
     FIG. 6  is an exemplary timing diagram of signal Vout detected by peak detector  100 . Periods (T 2 -T 1 ), (T 6 -T 5 ) and (T 10 -T 9 ) represent tracing phases. As seen from  FIG. 6 , peak voltage levels V 1 , V 2 , and V 3 , detected respectively at time T 2 , T 6  and TIO are held at these respective values during hold periods (T 3 -T 2 ), (T 7 -T 6 ) and (T 11 -T 10 ) respectively. As seen from  FIG. 6 , after detecting each peak level, voltage Vout is reset to the voltage level Vreset. 
     FIG. 7  shows, in part, a timing diagram of signals reset_clk and peak_det_clk. Signal reset_elk is applied to switch  110  to reset the peak detector, as described above. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7 , signal peak_det_clk is shown as being initiated in response to the falling edge of signal reset_elk and terminated after a period of sufficient duration to enable the detection of at least one peak of input signal Vin. Signal peak_det_clk may be generated using a control circuitry (not shown). When signal peak_det_clk is in a first logic state, e.g., high logic state, peak detector  100  is in a tracing phase, and when signal peak_det_clk is in a second logic state, e.g., low logic state, peak detector  100  is in a hold phase. In one exemplary embodiment, signal peak_det_clk is used to enable peak detector  100  to receive input signal V in  to detect its peak. In yet other embodiments, signal peak_det_clk is a timing signal providing peak detector  100  with sufficient time to detect the peak level of signal V in . Transitions on signal peak_det_clk, for example, its falling transitions, are used to trigger signal peak_smp_clk. 
     FIG. 8  is a simplified high-level block diagram of an envelope detector  200 , in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Envelope detector  200  is shown as including peak detector  100 , shown in  FIG. 1  and described above, as well as an amplifier  205 . In some embodiments, amplifier  205  is a voltage follower amplifier having an intermediate gain, e.g., greater than 40 dB, and a relatively high bandwidth. 
   When peak detector  100  is in the hold phase, switch  210  is closed to enable capacitor  208  to be charge to voltage level Vout. Accordingly, when switch  210  is open, capacitor  208  maintains the charges reflecting the detected peak value Vout. Consequently, voltage Vo_peak maintained across capacitor  208  represents the envelope of the detected peak levels of Vin. 
     FIG. 9  is an exemplary timing diagram of signal Vo_peak generated by envelope detector  200 . As is seen from  FIG. 9 , signal Vo —peak  only varies between the peak levels of voltage Vout detected by peak detector  100  (see  FIG. 6 ).  FIG. 7  also shows a timing diagram of signal peak_smp_clk. In this exemplary diagram, a pulse appears on signal peak_smp_clk following a falling transition on signal peak_det_clk. 
     FIG. 10  is a transistor schematic diagram of peak detector  100  shown in  FIG. 5 . Differential amplifier  102  is shown as including load resistors  152  and  154 , input transistors  156 ,  158 , and a current source  160 . To maximize the bandwidth of peak detector  100  and maintain stability, differential amplifier  102  is selected to have a relatively high bandwidth, e.g. twice the dominant pole frequency, and also selected so as not to have a relatively high gain. Moreover, since systematic offset is inversely proportional to the DC gain, the gain of differential amplifier is selected so as not to be relatively too small. In one embodiment, a DC gain of 15-20 dB is used. Resistive loads  152  and  154  are used to minimize the loading and provide DC output common mode voltage. In one embodiment, transistors  156  and  158  have similar sizes, and resistors  152 ,  154  have similar resistances. 
   When voltage Vout reaches a peak value and the circuit is in the hold phase, the input signal change will feed into node N 1  via the gate-to source parasitical capacitance (Cgs) of transistor  158  by an amount defined by the ratio of the capacitances of capacitors Cgs (not shown) and  108 . Therefore, the input transistors  156  and  158  are selected to have small sizes to maintain Cgs at relatively small values. To minimize the feedthrough and maintain relatively high bandwidths capacitor  108  is selected to have a relatively large value. The output common-mode voltage of amplifier  102  is defined by:
 
 V   cm     —     out =0.5× I×R   152   (1)
 
   The common-mode voltage may be varied depending on the requirements defined by the application using the envelop detector. The common-mode voltage should be selected so as not to be lower than the bandwidth appreciably. In some embodiments, resistors  152  and  154  are polysilicon resistors. In such embodiments, polysilicon resistors are also used in current source  160  to minimize temperature sensitivity. Transistors  156 ,  158 ,  162  and  164  should be selected such that loading contribution from the gate capacitances of transistors  166 ,  168 , and drain capacitances of transistors  156 ,  158  is minimized. Transconductor  104  is shown as including NMOS input transistors  166 ,  168 , and PMOS load transistors  162 ,  164 , which form a current mirror. The sizes of transistors  166  and  168  are selected so as to minimize the loading seen by amplifier  102 . 
   Charging circuit  106  is shown as including PMOS transistors  112  and  114 . The ratio of the channel-width to channel-length of transistor  114  relative to that of transistor  112  determines the charging current value. During the tracing phase, as described above, a current flows through transistor  112 , which is mirrored in transistor  114  and that charges capacitor  108 . Therefore, the loading at the gate terminals of transistors  112  and  114  should be minimized to maximize the bandwidth. During the hold phase, the gate voltages of transistors  112 , and  114  are raised to the supply voltage VAA. 
   Assume that the voltage applied to the input terminals of transistors  166 ,  168  are the same, representing a quiescent state, and in which case no current flows through transistor  112 . Accordingly, the gate-to-source voltage of transistor  112 , V gs     —     112 , may be expressed as following:
 
V gs     —     112 &lt;V th1   (2)
 
where V th1  is the threshold voltage of either one of the PMOS transistors  112 ,  114 . Any subthreshold current flowing through transistors  112 ,  114  drops exponentially in response to the gate-to-source voltage Vgs. This causes more charges to be stored in capacitor  108  thereby causing voltage Vout to rise. This results in systematic offset which at the input terminals of transconductor  104  may be expressed as following:
 
Δ V =( V   out   −V   peak )× A   v   (3)
 
where Vpeak is the peak value and A v  is the voltage gain of differential amplifier  102 . At the quiescent state, the current flowing through transistors  162 , and  164  is approximately defined by the following:
 
                   I   166     =         β   n     2     ⁢       (       V     gs_   ⁢   166       -     V     th   ⁢           ⁢   2         )     2               (   4   )                       ⁢     =         β   n     2     ·     V     dsat_   ⁢   166     2                 (   5   )                       ⁢     =       I   2     2               (   6   )               
Where β is a parameter related to the process and size of the NMOS transistors  166 ,  168 , and V th2  is the threshold voltage of any of the NMOS transistors. In order to substantially absorb the tail current I 2 , the current flowing through transistor  166  may be defined as shown below:
 
   
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   I 
                   166 
                   ′ 
                 
                 = 
                 
                   I 
                   2 
                 
               
             
             
               
                 ( 
                 7 
                 ) 
               
             
           
           
             
               
                 
                     
                 
                 ⁢ 
                 
                   = 
                   
                     
                       
                         β 
                         n 
                       
                       2 
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           
                             2 
                           
                           ⁢ 
                           
                             V 
                             
                               dsat_ 
                               ⁢ 
                               166 
                             
                           
                         
                         ) 
                       
                       2 
                     
                   
                 
               
             
             
               
                 ( 
                 8 
                 ) 
               
             
           
           
             
               
                 
                     
                 
                 ⁢ 
                 
                   = 
                   
                     
                       
                         β 
                         n 
                       
                       2 
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           
                             V 
                             
                               
                                 gs 
                                 ⁢ 
                                 _ 
                               
                               ⁢ 
                               166 
                             
                             ′ 
                           
                           - 
                           
                             V 
                             
                               
                                 th 
                                 ⁢ 
                                 _ 
                               
                               ⁢ 
                               166 
                             
                           
                         
                         ) 
                       
                       2 
                     
                   
                 
               
             
             
               
                 ( 
                 9 
                 ) 
               
             
           
         
       
     
   
   Ignoring the body effects, the following is obtained:
 
 V′   gs     —     166   =V   gs     —     166 +0.414 ×V   dsat     —     166   (10)
 
Accordingly, the difference at the input terminals of transconductor  104  may be defined as shown below:
 
Δ V= 0.414× V   dsat     —     166   (11)
 
Combining equations (3) and (11) the systematic offset is approximately defined by the following:
 
   
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   V 
                   sys_os 
                 
                 = 
                 
                   
                     0.414 
                     
                       A 
                       v 
                     
                   
                   × 
                   
                     V 
                     
                       dsat_ 
                       ⁢ 
                       166 
                     
                   
                 
               
             
             
               
                 ( 
                 12 
                 ) 
               
             
           
         
       
     
   
   The systematic offset reaches its maximum value, described in accordance with equation (12), when the input signal has a relatively long and flat duration after reaching its peak. For a signal falling relatively quickly shortly after reaching its peak, the systematic offset is less because the input signal drop effectively adds negative offset to cancel the systematic offset. Therefore, systematic offset is waveform dependent. In order to achieve input signal waveform insensitivity, the systematic offset should be minimized. In accordance with the present invention, the systematic offset is reduced by the gain of the differential amplifier  102 , thereby to minimize waveform sensitivity. Current level  12  supplied by current source  170  is selected such that both the V dsat  of transistor  166 , i.e., V dsat     —     166  as well as the transconductance supplied by transconductor  104  have proper values. 
   Two types of write techniques, namely level writing and pulse writing, are used in an optical storage system.  FIG. 7  shows exemplary laser signal waveforms for these two types of write techniques. During write operations, the peak power level is represented by the peak signal level. In an optical storage system, run length limited NRZI encoded data is written to and read from the optical disk. In some systems, such as DVD systems, the minimum length of space and mark phases for such NRZI data, is, for example, 3T, and the maximum length of space and mark phases is, for example, 14T, where T is the data rate cycle time. 
   As shown in  FIG. 7 , the peak power level to be detected occurs within the mark phases of the data. Signal reset_clk is generated during the space phases and signal peak_smp_clk is generated during the mark phases of the data. In accordance with the present invention, programmable delays and pulses associated with the NRZI data are used to generate signals reset_clk and peak_smp_clk enabling these signals to have optimal positions relative to the peak power level. 
   Signal reset_clk, generated in accordance with the NRZI data, has a pulse width, Tw, that is programmable. For example, Tw may be equal to N×T, where N is an integer, varying in some embodiments from, for example, 1-2. The delay between, for example, the falling edge of signal reset_clk and, for example, the rising edge of a subsequent mark, is also programmable. The generation of various pulses may also be made dependent on the duration of the space phases. For example, a pulse may only be generated if the duration of the space phase, is greater than M×T, where M is an integer ranging, for example, from 3-8. 
   Signal peak_smp_clk is a delayed replica of signal reset_clk and is shown as having a delay of Tdet with respect to signal reset_clk. Delay Tdet is also programmable. For example, Tdet may be equal to P×T, where P is an integer ranging, for example, from 1-5. Signal peak_smp_clk may also be dependent on the duration of the mark phases. For example, a pulse on signal peak_det_clk may be generated only if an associated mark phase exceeds QxT, where Q is an integer ranging, for example, from 3-8. Signal peak_det_clk is generated using signals resetclk and peak_smp_clk. 
   The above timing programmability provides flexibility to generate peak detection clocks reset_clk, peak_det_clk and peak_smp_clk according to the NRZI data pattern, so that the peak power level can be detected from, for example, all or a subset of the data patterns. The above timing programmability is used to adjust the relationship between the peak detection clocks and the NRZI data. However, the signal to be peak detected may have additional delays caused by, for example, logic gates, on-board traces, laser drivers, laser diodes, delays associated with the optical paths, photo detectors, etc. To cancel such delays, additional programmable timing adjustments, collectively referred to as Tgroup (not shown), may be made. In some embodiments, Tgroup may be adjusted to have a value defined by S×T, where S is an integer ranging, for example, from 0-64. Delay Tgroup is added to the delays Td and Tdet to generate signals reset_clk and peak_smp_clk for the associated space/mark phases, and to optimally position these two signals relative to the space/mark phase of the read back signal during write operations. 
   Table I below shows exemplary numerical values of some of the characteristics of the envelop detector of the present invention, obtained partly by using computer simulations. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
               TABLE I 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Power consumption 
               3.3 V * 840 uA 
             
             
                 
               Differential amplifier gain-bandwidth 
               7.7 × 4.6 GHz 
             
             
                 
               gain-bandwidth 
               35.4 × 1.05 GHz 
             
             
                 
               Temperature sensitivity 
               ±1 mV 
             
             
                 
               Process and temperature sensitivity 
               ±4 mV (worst case) 
             
             
                 
               Waveform sensitivity 
               ±4 mV 
             
             
                 
               Minimum detectable peak difference 
               0.1 mV 
             
             
                 
               Maximum detectable rising edge slope 
               2.67 × 10 8  V/s 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Referring now to  FIGS. 11A-11G , various exemplary implementations of the present invention are shown. Referring to  FIG. 11A , the present invention may be embodied in a hard disk drive  1000 . The present invention may implement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in  FIG. 11A  at  1002 . In some implementations, signal processing and/or control circuit  1002  and/or other circuits (not shown) in HDD  1000  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, and/or format data that is output to and/or received from a magnetic storage medium  1006 . 
   HDD  1000  may communicate with a host device (not shown) such as a computer, mobile computing devices such as personal digital assistants, cellular phones, media or MP3 players and the like, and/or other devices via one or more wired or wireless communication links  1008 . HDD  1000  may be connected to memory  1009 , such as random access memory (RAM), a low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory, read only memory (ROM) and/or other suitable electronic data storage. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11B , the present invention may be embodied in a digital versatile disc (DVD) drive  1010 . The present invention may implement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in  FIG. 11B  at  1012 , and/or mass data storage  1018  of DVD drive  1010 . Signal processing and/or control circuit  1012  and/or other circuits (not shown) in DVD  1010  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, and/or format data that is read from and/or data written to an optical storage medium  1016 . In some implementations, signal processing and/or control circuit  1012  and/or other circuits (not shown) in DVD  1010  can also perform other functions such as encoding and/or decoding and/or any other signal processing functions associated with a DVD drive. 
   DVD drive  1010  may communicate with an output device (not shown) such as a computer, television or other device via one or more wired or wireless communication links  1017 . DVD  1010  may communicate with mass data storage  1018  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner. Mass data storage  1018  may include a hard disk drive (HDD) such as that shown in  FIG. 11A . The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. DVD  1010  may be connected to memory  1019 , such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory, and/or other suitable electronic data storage. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11C , the present invention may be embodied in a high definition television (HDTV)  1020 . The present invention may implement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in  FIG. 11C  at  1022 , a WLAN interface and/or mass data storage of the HDTV  1020 . HDTV  1020  receives HDTV input signals in either a wired or wireless format and generates HDTV output signals for a display  1026 . In some implementations, signal processing circuit and/or control circuit  1022  and/or other circuits (not shown) of HDTV  1020  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other type of HDTV processing that may be required. 
   HDTV  1020  may communicate with mass data storage  1027  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices. At least one HDD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11A  and/or at least one DVD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11B . The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. HDTV  1020  may be connected to memory  1028  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. HDTV  1020  also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface  1029 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11D , the present invention implements a control system of a vehicle  1030 , a WLAN interface and/or mass data storage of the vehicle control system. In some implementations, the present invention implements a powertrain control system  1032  that receives inputs from one or more sensors such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, rotational sensors, airflow sensors and/or any other suitable sensors and/or that generates one or more output control signals such as engine operating parameters, transmission operating parameters, and/or other control signals. 
   The present invention may also be embodied in other control systems  1040  of vehicle  1030 . Control system  1040  may likewise receive signals from input sensors  1042  and/or output control signals to one or more output devices  1044 . In some implementations, control system  1040  may be part of an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a navigation system, a telematics system, a vehicle telematics system, a lane departure system, an adaptive cruise control system, a vehicle entertainment system such as a stereo, DVD, compact disc and the like. Still other implementations are contemplated. 
   Powertrain control system  1032  may communicate with mass data storage  1046  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner. Mass data storage  1046  may include optical and/or magnetic storage devices for example hard disk drives HDD and/or DVDs. At least one HDD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11A  and/or at least one DVD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11B . The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. Powertrain control system  1032  may be connected to memory  1047  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. Powertrain control system  1032  also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface  1048 . The control system  1040  may also include mass data storage, memory and/or a WLAN interface (all not shown). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11E , the present invention may be embodied in a cellular phone  1050  that may include a cellular antenna  1051 . The present invention may implement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in  FIG. 11E  at  1052 , a WLAN interface and/or mass data storage of the cellular phone  1050 . In some implementations, cellular phone  1050  includes a microphone  1056 , an audio output  1058  such as a speaker and/or audio output jack, a display  1060  and/or an input device  1062  such as a keypad, pointing device, voice actuation and/or other input device. Signal processing and/or control circuits  1052  and/or other circuits (not shown) in cellular phone  1050  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform other cellular phone functions. 
   Cellular phone  1050  may communicate with mass data storage  1064  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices for example hard disk drives HDD and/or DVDs. At least one HDD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11A  and/or at least one DVD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11B . The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. Cellular phone  1050  may be connected to memory  1066  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. Cellular phone  1050  also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface  1068 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11F , the present invention may be embodied in a set top box  1080 . The present invention may implement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in  FIG. 11F  at  1084 , a WLAN interface and/or mass data storage of the set top box  1080 . Set top box  1080  receives signals from a source such as a broadband source and outputs standard and/or high definition audio/video signals suitable for a display  1088  such as a television and/or monitor and/or other video and/or audio output devices. Signal processing and/or control circuits  1084  and/or other circuits (not shown) of the set top box  1080  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other set top box function. 
   Set top box  1080  may communicate with mass data storage  1090  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner. Mass data storage  1090  may include optical and/or magnetic storage devices for example hard disk drives HDD and/or DVDs. At least one HDD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11A  and/or at least one DVD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11B . The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. Set top box  1080  may be connected to memory  1094  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. Set top box  1080  also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface  1096 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11G , the present invention may be embodied in a media player  1072 . The present invention may implement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in  FIG. 11G  at  1071 , a WLAN interface and/or mass data storage of the media player  1072 . In some implementations, media player  1072  includes a display  1076  and/or a user input  1077  such as a keypad, touchpad and the like. In some implementations, media player  1072  may employ a graphical user interface (GUI) that typically employs menus, drop down menus, icons and/or a point-and-click interface via display  1076  and/or user input  1077 . Media player  1072  further includes an audio output  1075  such as a speaker and/or audio output jack. Signal processing and/or control circuits  1071  and/or other circuits (not shown) of media player  1072  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other media player function. 
   Media player  1072  may communicate with mass data storage  1070  that stores data such as compressed audio and/or video content in a nonvolatile manner. In some implementations, the compressed audio files include files that are compliant with MP3 format or other suitable compressed audio and/or video formats. The mass data storage may include optical and/or magnetic storage devices for example hard disk drives HDD and/or DVDs. At least one HDD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11A  and/or at least one DVD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11B . The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. Media player  1072  may be connected to memory  1073  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. Media player  1072  also may support connections with a WLAN via a WLAN network interface  1074 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 11H , the present invention may be embodied in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone  1083  that may include an antenna  1039 . The present invention may implement either or both signal processing and/or control circuits, which are generally identified in  FIG. 11H  at  1082 , a wireless interface and/or mass data storage of the VoIP phone  1083 . In some implementations, VoIP phone  1083  includes, in part, a microphone  1087 , an audio output  1089  such as a speaker and/or audio output jack, a display monitor  1091 , an input device  1092  such as a keypad, pointing device, voice actuation and/or other input devices, and a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication module  1086 . Signal processing and/or control circuits  1082  and/or other circuits (not shown) in VoIP phone  1083  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform other VoIP phone functions. 
   VoIP phone  1083  may communicate with mass data storage  502  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices, for example hard disk drives HDD and/or DVDs. At least one HDD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11A  and/or at least one DVD may have the configuration shown in  FIG. 11B . The HDD may be a mini HDD that includes one or more platters having a diameter that is smaller than approximately 1.8″. VoIP phone  1083  may be connected to memory  1085 , which may be a RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. VoIP phone  1083  is configured to establish communications link with a VoIP network (not shown) via Wi-Fi communication module  1086 . Still other implementations in addition to those described above are contemplated. 
   The above embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and not limitative. Various alternatives and equivalents are possible. The invention is not limited by the type of amplifier, transconductor, current mirror, etc used. The invention is not limited by the type of integrated circuit in which the present disclosure may be disposed. Nor is the invention limited to any specific type of process technology, e.g., CMOS, Bipolar, or BICMOS that may be used to manufacture the present disclosure. Other additions, subtractions or modifications are obvious in view of the present disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6