METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL AMPLITUDE CONTROL SYSTEMS

摘要

A method for obtaining a rectified signal from a first alternating current signal. The method includes the step of inputting the first alternating current signal into a variable gain amplifier (412) to obtain a second alternating current signal. The second alternating current signal has a substantially constant peak-to-peak voltage irrespective of a power level of the first alternating current signal. The method further includes the step of rectifying the second alternating current signal, using a power detector circuit (418), to obtain the rectified signal, whereby a direct current level of the rectified signal is substantially proportional to the power level of the first alternating current irrespective of the power level of the first alternating current. The rectified signal may then be employed in, for example, a feedback control circuit to control the amount of power output by an RF signal source (100).