LOW VOLTAGE, BETA IMMUNE VARIABLE GAIN AMPLIFIER WITH HIGH SUPPLY VOLTAGE REJECTION

摘要

A variable gain amplifier includes a Gilbert cell multiplier cell having a pair of bipolar input transistors and a pair of bipolar output transistors. A bias circuit provides a first bias current to the input transistors and a second bias current to the output transistors, the ratio of the second to the first bias current determining the gain of the multiplier cell. The bias circuit couples the first and second bias currents to the emitters of the input and output transistors and references these currents to ground, which provides excellent supply rejection. Additionally, high beta immunity is achieved by increasing the ratio of the second bias current to the first bias current by subtracting a current from the first bias current substantially equal to the base currents of the output transistors.