A start signal output circuit having an RF/DC conversion circuit to which
radio frequency power (RF) of specified frequency is inputted and from
which a direct current potential (DC) is outputted, comprises a
detection/amplification circuit 210 which includes a voltage doubler
wave-detector circuit 10 configured including a sensing diode Q1 (Tr34)
for sensing the RF power, a differential amplifier including differential
pair transistors Tr31 and Tr32, and a current mirror circuit. A base
current of one Tr31 of the differential pair transistors is brought into
substantial agreement with a DC component of a current flowing through
the sensing diode Q1 (Tr34). A total of currents flowing through the
differential pair transistors Tr31 and Tr32 is regulated to a
substantially constant value by the current mirror circuit. Thus, the
start signal output circuit which is small in size, high in sensitivity
and low in power consumption can be realized.