Patent ID: 7355456

Claim:
A wide linear range peak detector, comprising: a first peak detector having an input receiving an input signal and an output providing a first peak signal approximation which approximates a peak level of said input signal, wherein said first peak signal approximation comprises a non-linear portion which is a function of said peak level of said input signal; a second peak detector having an input receiving said input signal and an output providing a second peak signal approximation; and a compensation circuit having an input receiving said second peak signal approximation and an output which is coupled to said first peak detector, wherein said compensation circuit uses said second peak signal approximation to provide a compensation signal which compensates said non-linear portion of said first peak signal approximation; wherein said first peak detector comprises a differential peak detector providing said first peak signal approximation with positive and negative polarity signals; and wherein said compensation circuit has an output which is coupled to a selected one of said positive and negative polarity signals of said first peak signal approximation.