Gain control circuit for controlling a gain in a variable gain cell

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gain control circuit for controlling fluctuations of gain.

2. Description of Related Art

In a variable gain amplifier used for a radio communication system, it is desired that a gain obtained in the variable gain amplifier is exponentially changed with respect to a gain control voltage. Therefore, a conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 6 is, for example, used.

FIG. 6 is a constitutional view showing a conventional variable gain amplifier. In FIG. 6, 11 indicates a first voltage-to-current converter, 12 indicates a temperature characteristic compensating circuit, 13 indicates an exponentially-changing current producing circuit, 14 indicates a variable gain cell, 15 indicates a second voltage-to-current converter, and 16 indicates a temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit. A combination of the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 and the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 13 functions as a gain control circuit, and the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 13 has a differential amplifier 13 a.

Next, an operation of the conventional variable gain amplifier will be described below.

Referring to FIG. 6, a gain control voltage V cont is applied to the first voltage-to-current converter 11 , and the gain control voltage V cont is converted into a gain control current proportional to the gain control voltage V cont . Here, a value of the gain control current is expressed by K 1 ·V cont ·K 1 denotes a proportional constant. Thereafter, the gain control current (K 1 ·V cont ) is fed to the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 according to a current mirror. Also, a bias current proportional to an absolute temperature T is generated in the temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit 16 , and the bias current is fed to the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 according to a current mirror. The value of the bias current is expressed by K 2 ·T, and K 2 denotes a proportional constant.

Also, a reference voltage V ref fixed with respect to temperature is applied to the second voltage-to-current converter 15 , and a gain reference current corresponding to the reference voltage V ref is produced. The value of the gain reference current is constant and is expressed by K 3 . The gain reference current of the value K 3 is fed to the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 according to a current mirror.

As is described above, the gain control current (K 1 ·V cont ), the bias current (K 2 ·T) and the gain reference current (K 3 ) are respectively fed to the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 according to the current mirrors. This type of temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 is equivalent to a temperature characteristic compensating circuit having a plurality of current sources generating the gain control current (K 1 ·V cont ), the bias current (K 2 ·T) and the gain reference current (K 3 ) respectively.

As shown in FIG. 6, the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 is composed of a group of a first transistor Q 1 , a second transistor Q 2 , a third transistor Q 3 , a fourth transistor Q 4 and a group of a first current source 12 a , a second current source 12 b , a third current source 12 c and a fourth current source 12 d . Each of the transistors Q 1 to Q 4 is formed of an n-p-n transistor (or a first conductive type transistor). A differential amplifier is formed of both the second and third transistors Q 2 and Q 3 . Here, the gain control current (K 1 ·V cont ) is generated in each of the first current source 12 a and the fourth current source 12 d , the gain reference current (K 3 ) is generated in the second current source 12 b , and the bias current (K 2 ·T) is generated in the third current source 12 c.

In the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 , a base of the first transistor Q 1 is connected to both a collector and a base of the fourth transistor Q 4 , and the first current source 12 a is connected to the base of the first transistor Q 1 . The fourth current source 12 d is connected to both an emitter of the fourth transistor Q 4 and a base of the third transistor Q 3 . The second current source 12 b is connected to both an emitter of the first transistor Q 1 and a base of the second transistor Q 2 . The third current source 12 c is connected to both an emitter of the second transistor Q 2 and an emitter of the third transistor Q 3 . A first output current of a value I L is output from a collector of the second transistor Q 2 , and a second output current of a value I R is output from a collector of the third transistor Q 3 .

Therefore, the value I L of the first output current is expressed according to an equation (1).

I L =K 1 ×K 2 ×T×V cont /K 3   (1)

Also, the value I R of the second output current is expressed according to an equation (2).

I R =K 2 ×T −( K 1 ×K 2 ×T×V cont /K 3 )   (2)

The first output current of the value I L is fed to the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 13 according to a current mirror. Also, the bias current (K 2 ·T) is fed to the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 13 according to a current mirror (not shown). Therefore, the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 13 has current sources generating the first output current (I L ) and the bias current (K 2 ·T) respectively. The exponentially-changing current producing circuit 13 is composed of a differential amplifier 13 a , a fifth current source 13 b , a sixth current source 13 c , a seventh current source 13 d , a first resistor having a value R 1 and a second resistor having the value R 1 . The differential amplifier 13 a is composed of a pair of fifth transistor Q 5 and sixth transistor Q 6 . Each of the transistors Q 5 and Q 6 is formed of an n-p-n transistor (or a first conductive type transistor). A base voltage is applied to the base of the fifth transistor Q 5 through the first resistor, and a base voltage is applied to the base of the sixth transistor Q 6 through the second resistor. The bias current (K 2 ·T) is generated in each of the fifth current source 13 b and the sixth current source 13 c , and the first output current (I L ) is generated in the seventh current source 13 d . The bias current (K 2 ·T) generated in the fifth current source 13 b is called a reference current of a value Ia, the bias current (K 2 ·T) generated in the sixth current source 13 c is called a fixed current of a value Ie, and the first output current (I L ) generated in the seventh current source 13 d is called a control current of a value Ic.

The fifth current source 13 b of the reference current (Ia) is connected to a base of the fifth transistor Q 5 , the sixth current source 13 c of the fixed current (Ie) is connected to both an emitter of the fifth transistor Q 5 and an emitter of the sixth transistor Q 6 , and the seventh current source 13 d of the control current (Ic) is connected to the base of the sixth transistor Q 6 . Also, the first resistor (R 1 ) is connected to the base of the fifth transistor Q 5 , and the second resistor (R 1 ) is connected to the base of the sixth transistor Q 6 . A third output current having a value I o is output from a collector of the fifth transistor Q 5 .

Because the value Ic of the control current is equal to the value I L of the first output current, the value Ic of the control current is expressed according to an equation (3) with reference to the equation (1). Ic =    K 1 × K 2 × T × V cont / K 3 =    K 2 × T × K 4 × V cont ( 3 )

Here, K 4 =K 1 /K 3 is satisfied.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 13 , a voltage proportional to a difference between the control current Ic and the reference current Ia is applied to the differential amplifier 13 a as an input voltage. In short, a voltage having a value R 1 (Ic−Ia) is applied to the differential amplifier 13 a as an input voltage.

Therefore, the value I o of the third output current is expressed according to an equation (4) with reference to the equation (3). I c =    Ie / [ 1 + exp  { R 1  ( Ic - Ia ) / V T } ] =    Ie / [ 1 + exp  { R 1  ( K 2 × T × K 4 × V cont - Ia ) / V T } ] ( 4 )

Here, V T denotes a thermal voltage of a value kT/q·k denotes a Boltzmann's constant, and q denotes an elementary electric charge. The thermal voltage is almost equal to 25 mV at ordinary temperature.

As is apparent in the equation (4), in cases where the gain control voltage (V cont ) is low, the third output current (I o ) has an exponential function characteristic so as to be exponentially changed with respect to the gain control voltage (V cont )

The third output current (I o ) is fed to the variable gain cell 14 according to a current mirror. Therefore, the variable gain cell 14 has a current source 14 a in which the third output current (I o ) is generated. The variable gain cell 14 has a differential amplifier 14 b composed of a seventh transistor Q 7 and an eighth transistor Q 8 . Each of the transistors Q 7 and Q 8 is formed of an n-p-n transistor (or a first conductive type transistor). The current source 14 a of the third output current (I o ) is connected to both an emitter of the seventh transistor Q 7 and an emitter of the eighth transistor Q 8 .

When an alternating current input signal (ACinput) is fed to a base of the seventh transistor Q 7 and a base of the eighth transistor Q 8 , an alternating current output signal (ACoutput) is output from a collector of the seventh transistor Q 7 and a collector of the eighth transistor Q 8 . In this case, a gain (or a level ratio of the alternating current output signal to the alternating current input signal) in the variable gain cell 14 is proportional to the third output current (I o ), and the third output current (I o ) has the exponential function characteristic with respect to the gain control voltage (V cont ) in cases where the gain control voltage (V cont ) is low. Therefore, the gain in the variable gain cell 14 has the exponential function characteristic so as to be exponentially changed with respect to the gain control voltage (V cont ). In other words, in cases where the gain control voltage (V cont ) is low, a gain of the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 6 has the exponential function characteristic so as to be exponentially changed with respect to the gain control voltage (V cont ).

FIG. 7 is a constitutional view showing another conventional variable gain amplifier. The constituent elements, which are the same as those shown in FIG. 6, are indicated by the same reference numerals as those of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 6, and additional description of those constituent elements is omitted.

In FIG. 7, 17 indicates an exponentially-changing current producing circuit of which the configuration differs from that of the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 13 . Also, the variable gain cell 14 has a constant current source 14 c in place of the current source 14 a.

The exponentially-changing current producing circuit 17 has a pair of differential amplifiers 17 a and 17 b . The differential amplifier 17 a is composed of a ninth transistor Q 9 and a tenth transistor Q 10 , and the differential amplifier 17 b is composed of an eleventh transistor Q 11 and a twelfth transistor Q 12 . Each of the transistors Q 9 to Q 12 is formed of an n-p-n transistor (or a first conductive type transistor). The fifth current source 13 b of the reference current (Ia) is connected to both a base of the tenth transistor Q 10 and a base of the eleventh transistor Q 11 , and the seventh current source 13 d of the control current (Ic) is connected to both a base of the ninth transistor Q 9 and a base of the twelfth transistor Q 12 . Also, an emitter of the ninth transistor Q 9 and an emitter of the tenth transistor Q 10 are respectively connected to a collector of the seventh transistor Q 7 of the variable gain cell 14 , and an emitter of the eleventh transistor Q 11 and an emitter of the twelfth transistor Q 12 are respectively connected to a collector of the eighth transistor Q 8 of the variable gain cell 14 . Also, a collector of the tenth transistor Q 10 is connected to a first load resistor having a resistance value R L , and a collector of the eleventh transistor Q 11 is connected to a second load resistor having the resistance value R L . Also, a base voltage is applied to the bases of the ninth transistors Q 9 and Q 12 through a resistor having a resistance value R 1 .

As is described with reference to FIG. 6, the alternating current input signal (ACinput) is fed to the variable gain cell 14 . Also, the alternating current output signal (ACoutput) is output from a collector of the tenth transistor Q 10 and a collector of the eleventh transistor Q 11 . A gain Av of the variable gain cell 14 is indicated by a level ratio |ACoutput|/|ACinput|. The gain Av is expressed according to an equation (5). Av =    g m × R L × [ 1 / { 1 + exp  ( R 1  ( Ic - Ia ) / V T ) } ] =    g m × R L × [ 1 / { 1 + exp  ( R 1  ( K 2 × T × K 4 × V cont - Ia ) / V T ) } ] ( 5 )

Here, g m denotes a transconductance of the differential amplifier 14 b , and R L denotes a resistance value of each load resistor.

Therefore, in the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 7, in cases where the gain control voltage (V cont ) is low, the gain of the variable gain cell 14 has an exponential function characteristic so as to be exponentially changed with respect to the gain control voltage (V cont ).

However, because the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 6 and the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 7 respectively have the above-described configuration, in cases where fluctuations occur in the reference current Ia generated by the fifth current source 13 b , a problem has arisen that the gain of each conventional variable gain amplifier is considerably changed. For example, with reference to the equation (4), the third output current (I o ) is exponentially changed with the reference current Ia. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, in cases where fluctuations occur in the reference current Ia generated by the fifth current source 13 b , the third output current (I o ) is exponentially changed regardless of the gain control voltage (V cont ) in the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 6 . Therefore, in cases where fluctuations occur in the reference current Ia, the gain of the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 6 is exponentially changed regardless of the gain control voltage (V cont ). In contrast, because the sixth current source 13 c of the fixed current (Ie) functions as a fixed current source of the differential amplifier 13 a , as is apparent in the equation (4), the third output current (I o ) is proportional to the fixed current (Ie). Therefore, even though fluctuations occur in the fixed current (Ie) generated in the sixth current source 13 c , the third output current (I o ) is merely changed in proportion to the fixed current (Ie). Therefore, even though fluctuations occur in the fixed current (Ie), the gain of the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 6 is not changed so much.

In the same manner, in cases where fluctuations occur in the reference current Ia of the fifth current source 13 b in the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 7, the gain of the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 7 is exponentially changed regardless of the gain control voltage (V cont ).

Therefore, in cases where fluctuations occur in the reference current Ia, a problem has arisen that the gain of each conventional variable gain amplifier is considerably and exponentially changed.

An object of the present invention is to provide, with due consideration to the drawbacks of the conventional variable gain amplifiers, a gain control circuit which receives no influence of fluctuations of a reference current.

The object is achieved by the provision of a gain control circuit including exponentially-changing current producing means, in which a first differential amplifier composed of a pair of transistors is arranged and bases of the transistors are connected to each other through a base resistor, for receiving a control current of a value K 2 ×T−(K 1 ×K 2 ×T×V cont /K 3 ) based on a gain control current (K 1 ·V cont ) a gain reference current (K 3 ) and a bias current (K 2 ·T) at the base of one transistor of the first differential amplifier, producing an exponentially-changing current corresponding to the control current and controlling a gain of a variable gain cell according to the exponentially-changing current.

Therefore, a reference current is not required. Accordingly, no influence of fluctuations of a reference current is received in the gain control circuit.

FIG. 1 is a constitutional view showing a variable gain amplifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a constitutional view showing a variable gain amplifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a constitutional view showing a variable gain amplifier according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a constitutional view showing a first voltage-to-current converter and a second voltage-to-current converter used in a variable gain amplifier according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a constitutional view showing a temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit used in the variable gain amplifier according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a constitutional view showing a conventional variable gain amplifier;

FIG. 7 is a constitutional view showing another conventional variable gain amplifier; and

FIG. 8 shows the gain of the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 6 .

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a constitutional view showing a variable gain amplifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The constituent elements, which are the same as those shown in FIG. 6, are indicated by the same reference numerals as those of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 6, and additional description of those constituent elements is omitted.

21 indicates an exponentially-changing current producing circuit (or exponentially-changing current producing means). The exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 has a differential amplifier (or a first differential amplifier) 21 a. A variable gain amplifier comprises the first voltage-to-current converter (or first voltage-to-current converting means) 11 , the second voltage-to-current converter (or second voltage-to-current converting means) 15 , the temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit (or temperature-proportional bias current generating means) 16 , the temperature characteristic compensating circuit (or temperature characteristic compensating means) 12 having the differential amplifier (or a second differential amplifier) formed of both the second and third transistors Q 2 and Q 3 , the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 and the variable gain cell 14 having the differential amplifier (or a third differential amplifier) 14 b.

In the differential amplifier 21 a of the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 , a base voltage is applied to the base of the fifth transistor Q 5 through a diode 21 b, and the base of the fifth transistor Q 5 is connected to the base of the sixth transistor Q 6 through a differential base resistor (or a base resistor) 21 c having a resistance value R. The sixth current source 13 c of the fixed current (Ie) is connected to both the emitter of the fifth transistor Q 5 and the emitter of the sixth transistor Q 6 .

A combination of the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 and the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 functions as a gain control circuit.

Next, an operation of the variable gain amplifier will be described below.

In the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 , an eighth current source 21 d is arranged in place of the seventh current source 13 d arranged in the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 13 , and an output current of a value I R is generated in the eighth current source 21 d. In other words, the second output current (I R ) produced in the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 is fed to the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 according to a current mirror, and the eighth current source 21 d of the second output current (I R ) is connected to the base of the sixth transistor Q 6 . The second output current generated in the eighth current source 21 d is called a control current, and a value of the control current is expressed by Ic′. Thereafter, a fourth output current (or an exponentially-changing current) of a value I o ′ is output from the collector of the fifth transistor Q 5 , and the fourth output current (I o ′) is fed to the variable gain cell 14 in comparison with the third output current (I o ) fed to the variable gain cell 14 in the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 6 . Here, no reference current (Ia) is fed to the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 .

As is described above, because the base of the fifth transistor Q 5 is connected to the base of the sixth transistor Q 6 through the differential base resistor 21 c , the control current (Ic′) flows through the differential base resistor 21 c. Therefore, the value I o ′ of the fourth output current is expressed according to an equation (6).

I o ′=Ie/{ 1+exp( R×Ic′/V T )}  (6)

Because the relationship Ic′=K 2 ×T−(K 1 ×K 2 ×T×V cont /K 3 ) is satisfied with reference to the equation (2), the equation (6) is rewritten to an equation (7).

I o ′=Ie/[ 1+exp {R×K 2 ×T (1 −K 4 ×V cont )/ V T }]  (7)

As is apparent with reference to the equation (7), the fourth output current (I o ′) does not depend on the reference current (Ia) but changes with the gain control voltage (V cont ). Therefore, no influence of fluctuations of the reference current (Ia) is exerted on a gain obtained in the variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 1 .

As is described above, in the first embodiment, the base of the fifth transistor Q 5 and the base of the sixth transistor Q 6 are connected to each other through the differential base resistor 21 c in the differential amplifier 21 a of the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 , and the control current Ic′ is fed to the base of the sixth transistor Q 6 . Accordingly, because no reference current (Ia) is required in the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 , no influence of fluctuations of the reference current (Ia) is exerted in the variable gain amplifier.

FIG. 2 is a constitutional view showing a variable gain amplifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The constituent elements, which are the same as those shown in FIG. 7, are indicated by the same reference numerals as those of the constituent-elements shown in FIG. 7, and additional description of those constituent elements is omitted.

31 indicates an exponentially-changing current producing circuit (or exponentially-changing current producing means). The exponentially-changing current producing circuit 31 has a differential amplifier (or a first differential amplifier) 31 a. A variable gain amplifier comprises the first voltage-to-current converter (or first voltage-to-current converting means) 11 , the second voltage-to-current converter (or second voltage-to-current converting means) 15 , the temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit (or temperature-proportional bias current generating means) 16 , the temperature characteristic compensating circuit (or temperature characteristic compensating means) 12 having the differential amplifier (or a second differential amplifier) formed of both the second and third transistors Q 2 and Q 3 , the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 31 and the variable gain cell 14 having the differential amplifier (or a third differential amplifier) 14 b.

In the differential amplifier 31 a of the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 31 , the base of the ninth transistor Q 9 and the base of the tenth transistor Q 10 are connected to each other through a differential base resistor (or a base resistor) 31 b having a resistance value R. A combination of the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 and the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 31 functions as a gain control circuit.

Next, an operation of the variable gain amplifier will be described below.

In the same manner as in the conventional variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 7, an alternating current input signal (ACinput) is fed to the bases of the transistors Q 7 and Q 8 of the differential amplifier 14 b of the variable gain cell 14 . Also, an alternating current output signal (ACoutput) is output from the collectors of the transistors Q 10 and Q 11 of the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 31 . In the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 31 , the seventh current source 13 d of the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 17 shown in FIG. 7 is not used but the eighth current source 21 d is arranged, and the second output current (I R ) is generated in the eighth current source 21 d. In other words, the second output current (I R ) produced in the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 is fed to the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 31 according to a current mirror, and the eighth current source 21 d of the second output current (I R ) is connected to the base of the tenth transistor Q 10 and the base of the eleventh transistor Q 11 . The value of the second output current generated in the eighth current source 21 d is expressed by Ic′. Here, no reference current (Ia) is fed to the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 31 .

As is described above, because the base of the ninth transistor Q 9 and the base of the tenth transistor Q 10 are connected to each other through the differential base resistor 31 b, a control current (Ic′) of the eighth current source 21 d flows through the differential base resistor 31 b. Therefore, a gain Av obtained in the variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 2 is expressed according to an equation (8). In this case, the relationship Ic′=K 2 ×T−(K 1 ×K 2 ×T×V cont /K 3 ) is satisfied with reference to the equation (2). Av =    g m × R × [ 1 / { 1 + exp  ( R × Ic ′ / V T ) } ] =    g m × R × [ 1 / { 1 + exp  ( R × K 2 × T × ( 1 - K 4 × V cont ) / V T ) } ] ( 8 )

Here, g m denotes a transconductance of the differential amplifier (or-third differential amplifier) 14 b of the variable gain cell 14 .

As is apparent with reference to the equation (8), the gain Av of the variable gain amplifier does not depend on the reference current (Ia) but changes with the gain control voltage (V cont ). Therefore, no influence of fluctuations of the reference current (Ia) is exerted on the gain Av of the variable gain amplifier.

As is described above, in the second embodiment, the base of the ninth transistor Q 9 and the base of the tenth transistor Q 10 are connected to each other through the differential base resistor 31 b in the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 31 , and the control current (Ic′) of the eighth current source 21 d is fed to the base of the tenth transistor Q 10 . Therefore, no reference current (Ia) is required in the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 31 . Accordingly, no influence of fluctuations of the reference current (Ia) is exerted in the variable gain amplifier.

FIG. 3 is a constitutional view showing a variable gain amplifier according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The constituent elements, which are the same as those shown in FIG. 1, are indicated by the same reference numerals as those of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 1, and additional description of those constituent elements is omitted.

41 indicates an exponentially-changing current producing circuit (or exponentially-changing current producing means). The exponentially-changing current producing circuit 41 has a differential amplifier (or a first differential amplifier) 41 a. The differential amplifier 41 a is composed of a thirteenth transistor Q 13 , a fourteenth transistor Q 14 and the differential base resistor 21 c . Each of the transistors Q 13 and Q 14 is formed of a p-n-p transistor (or a second conductive type transistor). A base of the thirteenth transistor Q 13 and a base of the fourteenth transistor Q 14 are connected to each other through the differential base resistor 21 c . The base of the thirteenth transistor Q 13 is grounded through a diode 41 b . A current source of a fixed current Ie is connected to both an emitter of the thirteenth transistor Q 13 and an emitter of the fourteenth transistor Q 14 . The second output current (I R ) of the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 is fed to the base of the fourteenth transistor Q 14 of the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 41 as a control current (Ic′) according to a current mirror. The fourth output current (I o ′) flowing through a collector of the fourteenth transistor Q 14 is fed to the variable gain cell 14 according to a current mirror, and a gain of the variable gain cell 14 is controlled according to the fourth output current (I o ′).

To feed the second output current (I R ) to the base of the fourteenth transistor Q 14 as a control current (Ic′) according to a current mirror, a current mirror circuit (or current mirror means) composed of a pair of p-n-p transistors (or second conductive type transistors) 41 c and 41 d is used. The bases of the p-n-p transistors 41 c and 41 d are connected to each other, the base and collector of the p-n-p transistor 41 c are connected to each other, and the second output current (I R ) flows through the collector of the p-n-p transistor 41 c.

The fixed current (Ie) is fed from a connection line connecting the bases of the p-n-p transistors 41 c and 41 d to the emitters of the transistors Q 13 and Q 14 . The collector of the transistor 41 d is connected to the base of the fourteenth transistor Q 14 , and the control current (Ic′) is fed to the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 41 through the collector of the transistor 41 d.

A combination of the temperature characteristic compensating circuit (or temperature characteristic compensating means) 12 and the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 41 functions as a gain control circuit.

The transistors Q 1 to Q 4 of the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 are formed of the n-p-n transistors, and the transistors Q 5 and Q 6 of the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 shown in FIG. 1 are formed of the n-p-n transistors. Therefore, to feed the second output current (I R ) of the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 to the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 through a current mirror circuit as a control current (Ic′) according to the first embodiment, from a viewpoint of the direction of the control current (Ic′), it is required that the current mirror circuit has a pair of n-p-n transistors and a pair of p-n-p transistors. In other words, when the second output current (I R ) is fed from the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 to the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 21 as a control current (Ic′) according to a current mirror, it is required to arrange a two-stage type current mirror circuit. In contrast, in the variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 3 according to the third embodiment, because the transistors Q 13 and Q 14 of the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 41 are formed of the p-n-p transistors respectively, the second output current (I R ) of the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 can be fed to the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 41 as a control current (Ic′) through the current mirror circuit composed of only the pair of p-n-p transistors 41 c and 41 d . Therefore, the number of constituent elements in the variable gain amplifier according to the third embodiment is smaller than that according to the first embodiment.

Accordingly, in the variable gain amplifier according to the third embodiment, because the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 41 has the difference amplifier 41 a composed of the p-n-p transistors Q 13 and Q 14 , the number of transistors in the current mirror circuit, which is arranged to feed the second output current (I R ) from the temperature characteristic compensating circuit 12 to the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 41 as a control current (Ic′), can be reduced.

As is described above, in the third embodiment, because the exponentially-changing current producing circuit 41 has the difference amplifier 41 a composed of the p-n-p transistors Q 13 and Q 14 , the number of transistors in the current mirror circuit can be reduced.

FIG. 4 is a constitutional view showing a first voltage-to-current converter and a second voltage-to-current converter used in a variable gain amplifier according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a constitutional view showing a temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit used in the variable gain amplifier according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, 51 indicates a first voltage-to-current converter, and 52 indicates a second voltage-to-current converter. The first voltage-to-current converter 51 has an operation amplifier 51 a and a resistor (or a first resistor) 51 b of a resistance value R vic , and an output terminal of the operation amplifier 51 a is grounded through the resistor 51 b . A gain control current of a value K 1 ·V cont flows from the output terminal of the operation amplifier 51 a to the resistor 51 b . Therefore, the proportional constant K 1 is proportional to 1/R vic .

Also, the second voltage-to-current converter 52 has an operation amplifier 52 a and a resistor (or a third resistor) 52 b of a resistance value R vir , and an output terminal of the operation amplifier 52 a is grounded through the resistor 52 b . A gain reference current of a value K 3 flows from the output terminal of the operation amplifier 52 a to the resistor 52 b . Therefore, the proportional constant K 3 is proportional to 1/R vir .

In FIG. 5, 61 indicates a temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit, and the temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit 61 has a transistor 61 a , a transistor 61 b and a resistor (or a second resistor) 61 c of a resistance value R ref . An emitter of the transistor 61 a is connected to a base of the transistor 61 b . A fixed current is fed to a base of the transistor 61 a and a collector of the transistor 61 b . The base of the transistor 61 b is grounded through the resistor 61 c . An emitter of the transistor 61 b is grounded. A bias current (K 2 ·T) flows from a collector of the transistor 61 a to the resistor 61 c . Therefore, the proportional constant K 2 is proportional to 1/R ref .

Also, a temperature characteristic of the resistor 51 b is the same as that of the resistor 52 b , and a temperature characteristic of the resistor 61 c is the same as that of the differential base resistor 21 c shown in FIG. 1 . Resistors having the same temperature characteristic as each other can be easily obtained by using the same type of resistors in a semiconductor integrated circuit.

Because the proportional constant K 1 is proportional to 1/R vic and the proportional constant K 3 is proportional to 1/R vir , the constant K 4 (=K 1 /K 3 ) in the equation (7) is proportional to R vir /R vic . Therefore, even though the resistance values R vir and R vic of the resistors 51 b and 52 b are changed with temperature, the temperature characteristic of the resistor 51 b cancels out that of the resistor 52 b , and the constant K 4 is independent of temperature. Also, because the proportional constant K 2 is proportional to 1/R ref , the term R·K 2 in the equation (7) is proportional to R/R ref . Therefore, even though the resistance values R and R ref of the differential base resistor 21 c and the resistor 61 c are changed with temperature, the temperature characteristic of the differential base resistor 21 c cancels out that of the resistor 61 c , and the term R·K 2 is independent of temperature.

Accordingly, in cases where the first voltage-to-current converter 51 , the second voltage-to-current converter 52 and the temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit 61 are used in place of the first voltage-to-current converter 11 , the second voltage-to-current converter 15 and the temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit 16 respectively in the variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 1, the temperature characteristics of the resistors used to obtain the fourth output current (I o ′) expressed according to the equation (7) are canceled out each other, and the terms R·K 2 and K 4 in the equation (7) have no temperature dependency.

As is described above, in the fourth embodiment, the temperature characteristic of the resistor 51 b of the first voltage-to-current converter 51 is set to be the same as that of the resistor 52 b of the second voltage-to-current converter 52 , the temperature characteristic of the resistor 61 c of the temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit 61 is set to be the same as that of the differential base resistor 21 c , and the first voltage-to-current converter 51 , the second voltage-to-current converter 52 and the temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit 61 are used in place of the first voltage-to-current converter 11 , the second voltage-to-current converter 15 and the temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit 16 respectively in the variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 1 . Therefore, the temperature characteristics of the resistors in the fourth output current (I o ′) can be canceled out each other, and the gain control can be performed in the variable gain amplifier without exponentially changing the gain due to the temperature characteristics of the resistors.

The fourth embodiment is not limited to the variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 1 . That is, in cases where the first voltage-to-current converter 51 , the second voltage-to-current converter 52 and the temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit 61 are arranged in place of the first voltage-to-current converter 11 , the second voltage-to-current converter 15 and the temperature-proportional bias current generating circuit 16 respectively in the variable gain amplifier shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the gain control can be performed in the variable gain amplifier without exponentially changing the gain due to the temperature characteristics of the resistors.