Broadcom Corporation

Avago Technologies General IP (singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Behnam Mohammadi

Hooman Darabi

Masoud Kahrizi

Henrik Tholstrup Jensen

Ahmad Mirzaei

Alireza Zolfaghari

Hea Joung Kim

John Cumming Leete

Paul Anthony Lettieri

Bernd Pregardier

Alex Mirzaei

Louie Serrano

A programmable transmitter circuit may be coupled to a controller circuit. The controller circuit may be configured to generate control signals based at least on a signal. The transmitter circuit may include a plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell may include a respective first current source and a respective second current source. Each unit cell may be configured to be set in an activated state or a deactivated state based at least on the control signals. For a unit cell of the plurality of unit cells, when the unit cell is set in the activated state, the respective first current source or the respective second current source may be configured to generate a current to be applied to a load.

Programmable transmitter circuits

A transmitter architecture and methodologies supporting uplink inter-band carrier aggregation (CA). In various embodiments, first and second baseband signals are provided to a plurality of passive mixers that selectively combine the baseband signals with differing local oscillation signals to produce outbound RF signals of at least first and second RF frequencies. Depending on the relevant CA mode of operation, the outbound RF signals are amplified and selectively coupled to at least one transmitting antenna for respective transmission over a plurality of frequency bands.

Transmitter architecture for uplink inter-band carrier aggregation

A wireless communications transmitter is divided into N binary weighted communication signal processing paths including both fixed and variable gain communication signal processing chains. Specific bit sequences are used to select a combination of fixed and variable gain signal processing paths to adjust to a desired transmitter output power. Alternately, high and low power communication signal processing paths are chosen as needed with the high power communication signal processing path including an odd order harmonic notch filter.

Low voltage transmitter

Digital divider for low voltage LOGEN. LOGEN is a local oscillator generator. One implementation presented herein provides for a pseudo-complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), in that, it is not a true CMOS type circuitry that has no DC current dissipation, but nevertheless does operate well at relatively high frequencies and relatively low power supply voltage levels. Appropriately placed p-channel metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (P-MOSFETs) and n-channel MOSFETs (e.g., N-MOSFETs) are employed to provide for an all digital divider circuitry. In some embodiments, four active circuitry element levels are stacked between a power supply voltage and ground voltage level. In other embodiments, three active circuitry element levels are stacked between a power supply voltage and ground voltage level. The three active circuitry element levels embodiment provides for a greater area savings (e.g., because of the fewer elements) and also provides reduced input capacitance than the four active circuitry element levels embodiment.

Digital divider for low voltage LOGEN

Methods and apparatus for providing a local oscillator (LO) signal are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a circuit for providing the LO signal. The circuit includes a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) that is configured to operate at a first supply voltage. The VCO is also configured to produce a VCO signal. The circuit also includes an LO generator that is coupled with the VCO so as to receive the VCO signal. In the example apparatus, the LO generator is configured to operate at a second supply voltage, where the second supply voltage is greater than the first supply voltage. Further, the LO generator includes one or more resistively loaded circuits for producing the LO signal from the VCO signal.

Method and apparatus for producing a local oscillator signal

Low voltage LOGEN. LOGEN is a local oscillator generator. Two separately implemented dividers allow for relatively lower power dissipation while supporting multiple modes of operation within the communication device. Each of these two or more dividers has different phase noise characteristics. These at least two separately implemented dividers also allows for the supporting of at least two modes of operational within an apparatus. In certain applications (e.g., wireless applications), there is a need for relatively low phase noise characteristics therein, and the use of these at least two separately implemented dividers allows for the appropriate implementation of the relatively higher grade dividers in those areas that can benefit more there from.

Low voltage LOGEN

Methods and apparatus for calibrating a transitional loop, such as a phase locked loop, are disclosed. An example method includes performing an open loop calibration of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO). The open loop calibration includes tuning the output oscillation frequency of the VCO to within a predetermined range of frequencies. The example method further includes determining a voltage offset and a gain error of an analog to digital converter (ADC) coupled with the phase locked loop. The example method also includes determining a gain offset of the open loop calibrated VCO using the voltage offset and the gain error of the ADC. In the example method, a signal provided by a charge pump of the PLL is adjusted based on the determined gain offset.

Method and apparatus for calibrating a phase locked loop in open-loop

A slicer with large input common mode range is provided. The slicer includes an input stage coupled to receive an input signal, a current source for providing current for the input stage, a self-biased load coupled to the input stage to provide an initial output signal, and an inverter for inverting the initial output signal to provide a final output signal. The input stage includes a first circuit including a plurality of transistors and a complimentary circuit including a plurality of transistors. When a low common mode input voltage causes the transistors of the first circuit to turn off, the transistors of the complimentary circuit will take over to accomplish the same task as the first circuit.

Slicer with large input common mode range

A low noise amplifier (LNA), which utilizes an AC coupling technique that can internally bias diodes in such a way as to provide effective low noise amplification, is provided. The low noise amplifier includes an input to an amplifier circuit, and an AC coupling capacitor disposed externally to a chip boundary of the amplifier circuit.

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Irvine, CA, United States of America

Behnam Mohammadi