Freescale Semiconductor,inc.

Intel Corporation

Motorola Corporation

Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited

David A Newman

Benjamin Gilsdorf

Omid Oliaei

Chuanzhao Yu

Joseph Staudinger

Stephan Leuschner

Mark Alan Kirschenmann

Qiang Li

George Norris

David S Peckham

John H Quigley

Jacques Trichet

Michael L Gomez

Patrick Rakers

Ziye Zhou

Gilles Montoriol, Jr

Gary W Sadowniczak

Richard E Sherman

An inductance apparatus includes a first winding comprising a first wire section and a second wire section. The first wire section and the second wire section are disposed in a first horizontal plane associated with a center axis, and the first winding is associated with an equivalent current flow path within the first horizontal plane; a second winding extends via the center axis in the first horizontal plane to the first wire section and the second wire section, wherein the equivalent current flow path of the first winding is aligned with a current flow path associated with the second winding.

Chip multi-layer transformer and inductor

A stacked transformer or inductor apparatus including a first layer with a first layer wire element extending around a center axis and a second layer with a second layer wire element. The second layer element includes side by side first and second wire components in parallel spaced relation extending around the center axis and the first wire component is connected to the first layer wire element to form a primary turn winding. A third layer includes a third layer wire element extending around the center axis and connected to the second wire component of the second layer wire element to form a secondary turn winding partially overlapping with the primary turn winding.

On-chip multi-layer transformer and inductor

Techniques are provided for fanning out a signal from a balun. In various aspects, the system can include a balun configured to receive a signal for transmission at an input and to provide a representation of the signal at an output, a plurality of pass gate circuits, each pass gate circuit configured to receive the representation of the signal at a first node, to receive a control signal at a second node to pass the representation of the signal to a third node when the control signal is in a first state, and to isolate the representation of the signal from the third node when the control signal is in a second state. The first state of the control signal can include a non-zero voltage, and the second state of the control signal can include the non-zero voltage with a polarity opposite the non-zero voltage of the first state.

Techniques for multiple signal fan-out

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a circuit comprises a balun configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal at a first input port and a second input port of an input coil. The balun is further configured to output the RF signal at an output coil communicatively coupled to the input coil. The circuit also comprises a supply voltage selector circuit coupled to the input coil and configured to adjust a bias voltage at the input coil according to a power level of the RF signal received at the input coil.

System and method for improving power efficiency of a transmitter

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a transmitting path comprises a digital to analog converter (DAC) configured to receive digital data signals and convert the digital data signals into analog data signals. The transmitting path further comprises a first transmission protocol path and a second transmission protocol path configured to receive a first data signal and second data signal, respectively, from the DAC. The first data signal is associated with a first transmission protocol and the second data signal is associated with the second transmission protocol. The transmitting path additionally comprises a mixer coupled to the first and second transmission protocol paths and configured to receive at least one of the first data signal and the second data signal and modulate at least one of the first data signal and the second data signal onto a carrier signal to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal.

System and method for a dual-path transmitter

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a circuit comprises an input node configured to receive a current-mode input signal and an input stage that includes an input device communicatively coupled to the input node. The input device is configured to receive the input signal at the input node. The circuit additionally comprises bias circuitry communicatively coupled to the input stage and configured to provide a bias current for the input device. The bias circuitry is also configured to remove at least a portion of the bias current from the input signal through a feedback loop associated with the input node such that the input signal is received by the input device with at least a portion of the bias current removed. The circuit further comprises an output stage communicatively coupled to the input stage and configured to output a current-mode output signal based on the input signal.

System and method for preserving input impedance of a current-mode circuit

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a circuit may include a transmission switch and a dummy switch coupled at its output to the output of the transmission switch. The transmission switch may be configured to be selectively enabled and disabled based on a control signal received at a gate of the transmission switch. The transmission switch may be further configured to receive a first polarity of a differential signal at its input and pass the first polarity of the differential signal to its output when enabled. The dummy switch may be configured to be disabled and to receive a second polarity of the differential signal at its input, the second polarity of opposite polarity of the first polarity.

System and method for switch leakage cancellation

In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a multi-band transmitter comprises a plurality of band paths with each band path configured for a different frequency range. Each band path comprises a modulator configured to modulate a data signal onto a carrier signal associated with the frequency range of the band path to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal associated with the band path and frequency range of the band path. Each band path also comprises a step-down balun that includes an input coil configured to receive the RF signal from the modulator. Each band path further comprises a tuner configured to tune the input coil to the frequency range of the band path. The tuner is also configured to compensate for off-state conduction of switches of the tuner to reduce non-linear tuning effects of the balun associated with the off-state conduction.

System and method for a multi-band transmitter

A radio frequency ('RF') power amplifier circuit as described herein is configured to detect and measure an output load mismatch and to adjust the operating characteristics of the RF power amplifier to reduce output signal distortion. The circuit includes a directional RF signal coupler that obtains a coupled reflected RF signal that is indicative of the output load mismatch. The coupled reflected RF signal is processed to generate one or more bias control signals for the RF power amplifier. In operation, a mismatch condition will result in a measurable coupled reflected RF signal and a corresponding reduction in output power from the RF power amplifier. Ultimately, the output power control mechanism strives to maintain the RF power amplifier within a linear operating range.

Power amplifier with VSWR detection and correction feature

A soft saturation detection circuit for a radio frequency ('RF') power amplifier is configured to detect the onset of soft saturation in an unambiguous and accurate manner. The circuit compares the time derivative of a voltage signal indicative of the RF output power to the time derivative of a control voltage signal for the RF power amplifier. The circuit also employs a gating mechanism that ensures that a soft saturation indication signal is generated under appropriate operating conditions.

Soft saturation detection for power amplifiers

Method and apparatus are provided for protecting radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers. A circuit () is provided for limiting a supply current to a first stage (Q) of the RF power amplifier having a second stage (Q) coupled to the first stage. The circuit comprises a comparator () having first and second inputs and an output, and a switching circuit () having an input coupled to the output of the comparator () and having an output configured to couple to the first stage (Q). The first input of the comparator () is configured to receive the supply current, and the second input is configured to receive a current supplied to the second stage (Q). The comparator () is configured to compare a ratio of the supply current to the first stage to the current supplied to the second stage (Q) with a predetermined value. The switching circuit () is configured to limit the supply current to the first stage (Q) when the ratio exceeds the predetermined value.

Method and apparatus for protecting RF power amplifiers

A radio frequency (RF) power amplification circuit including a power amplifier is provided for preventing breakdown of the power amplifier. The power amplifier includes an input for receiving RF signals and an output for providing amplified RF signals. The RF power amplification circuit also includes a bias circuit coupled to the input of the power amplifier to permit normal operation of the power amplifier when the base current is below a predetermined current threshold and to prevent normal operation of the power amplifier when the base current is above the predetermined current threshold.

Radio frequency power amplifier

A power amplifier's base current is biased by a control circuit that produces a linear relationship across varying temperatures and processes. A voltage to current converter controls a voltage follower configured operational amplifier in response to a reference device to drive the voltage and current of the power amplifier. A slope control circuit is coupled to the reference device to limit a maximum power control slope.

Power amplifier device and method thereof

A power amplifier's base current is biased by a control circuit that produces a linear relationship across varying temperatures and processes. A voltage to current converter controls a voltage follower configured operational amplifier in response to a reference device to drive the voltage and current of the power amplifier.

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Tempe, AZ, United States of America

David A Newman