Precision envelope detector and linear rectifier circuitry

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:863537

Davis, Thomas J ^[1]

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1. Richland, WA

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the precise linear rectification and envelope detection of oscillatory signals. The signal is applied to a voltage-to-current converter which supplies current to a constant current sink. The connection between the converter and the sink is also applied through a diode and an output load resistor to a ground connection. The connection is also connected to ground through a second diode of opposite polarity from the diode in series with the load resistor. Very small amplitude voltage signals applied to the converter will cause a small change in the output current of the converter, and the difference between the output current and the constant current sink will be applied either directly to ground through the single diode, or across the output load resistor, dependent upon the polarity. Disclosed also is a full-wave rectifier utilizing constant current sinks and voltage-to-current converters. Additionally, disclosed is a combination of the voltage-to-current converters with differential integrated circuit preamplifiers to boost the initial signal amplitude, and with low pass filtering applied so as to obtain a video or signal envelope output.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Assignee: United States of America (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4194240
• OSTI ID: 863537
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

precision
envelope
detector
linear
rectifier
circuitry
disclosed
method
apparatus
precise
rectification
detection
oscillatory
signals
signal
applied
voltage-to-current
converter
supplies
current
constant
sink
connection
diode
output
load
resistor
ground
connected
opposite
polarity
series
amplitude
voltage
change
difference
directly
single
dependent
full-wave
utilizing
sinks
converters
additionally
combination
differential
integrated
circuit
preamplifiers
boost
initial
pass
filtering
obtain
video
constant current
output current
opposite polarity
voltage signal
integrated circuit
voltage signals
pass filter
wave rectifier
output load
signal amplitude
rectifier circuit
envelope detection
precise linear
/363/324/327/