Patent ID: 7039377

Claim:
A switchable gain amplifier comprising: a) a first place amplifier stage having a first gain; b) a second amplifier stage connected in parallel with the first amplifier stage, the second amplifier stage having a second gain, wherein the first gain is greater than the second gain; and c) a gain controller, connected to the first amplifier stage and to the second amplifier stage, the gain controller enabling one of either the first amplifier stage or the second amplifier stage at a time, wherein the gain controller further comprises: a) a gain control input; b) a current switch, responsive to the gain control input, having a first current enable output and a second current enable output; c) a first bias current circuit, responsive to the first current enable output, the first bias current circuit generating the first bias current signal; and d) a second bias current circuit, responsive to the second current enable output, the second bias current circuit generating the second bias current signal.