Communication device
View Patent ↗The attenuation characteristics of an attenuator largely changes depending on the frequency of an input signal. Accordingly, a difference between the amounts of attenuation of gains of each two attenuators included in a communication device is not constant. In communications using the wireless USB, the difference needs to be in a range of 2 dB±1 dB. Thus, the communication device does not meet the standards of the wireless USB unless the difference between the amounts of attenuation of the attenuators is adjusted. In this regard, provided is a communication device including first and second attenuators that attenuate a signal. The second attenuator is provided with a regulator circuit that adjusts a relation between an amount of attenuation of the signal through the first attenuator and an amount of attenuation of the signal through the second attenuator.
1. A communication device, comprising:
first and second attenuators that attenuate a signal;
a regulator circuit that makes adjustment of a relation between an amount of attenuation of the signal through the first attenuator and an amount of attenuation of the signal through the second attenuator,
wherein the signal includes a frequency usable in communications, and
the regulator circuit adjusts a difference between the amount of attenuation of the signal through the first attenuator and the amount of attenuation of the signal through the second attenuator; and
a switching circuit that switches between the first attenuator and the second attenuator for use in response to a notification signal indicating deterioration in quality of the signal when transmitted.
2. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein
the second attenuator includes:
a T-type two-terminal-pair network that includes first and second circuits connected in series, and a third circuit connected in shunt between the first and second circuits; and
the regulator circuit connected in shunt between the first and second circuits independently from the third circuit.
3. The communication device according to claim 2 , wherein
the regulator circuit comprises a capacitance element.
4. The communication device according to claim 3 , wherein
the capacitance element has a variable capacitance value.
5. The communication device according to claim 2 , wherein
the regulator circuit includes:
a capacitance element; and
a first field effect transistor connected in series to the capacitance element.
6. The communication device according to claim 2 , wherein
the first circuit comprises a second field effect transistor, and
a resistor is connected to a gate terminal of the second field effect transistor.
7. The communication device according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a capacitance element connected between the first circuit and a first terminal among terminals included in the two-terminal-pair network, the first terminal receiving the signal.
8. The communication device according to claim 1 wherein
the first and second attenuators are connected in parallel between an input terminal to which the signal is inputted and an output terminal to output an attenuated signal.
9. The communication device according to claim 1 wherein
the first and second attenuators are selectively used on the basis of the amount of attenuation of the signal.