Psemi Corporation

Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation

Ethan Prevost

Michael Conry

Rahul Dubal

An RF signal switch circuit that allows connection of any of N radio frequency (RF) input terminals to a switch output port, either in a low loss mode, in a bypass mode, or, optionally, in a signal function mode. Embodiments of the invention allow for both a single switch in the series input path to a target circuit while still having the ability to isolate the bypass path from the target circuit. In the low loss and bypass mode, the circuit simultaneously exhibits low input insertion loss (and thus a low noise factor) and high bypass mode isolation.

RF switch with bypass topology

A circuit architecture and process that provides for a dual-mode methodology for an RF integrated circuit (IC) switch circuit that allows switching between a direct mapping configuration and a fully decoded mapping configuration, and further provides for changing either mapping configuration after fabrication. A control word is selectively compared to a programmed map register value so that, in a first mode, only one bit position of a control word matches a decoded programmed map bit pattern, and in a second mode, all bits of a control word match a corresponding programmed map bit pattern. Because the map registers can be programmed at least once after IC fabrication, the exact mapping required for a particular application can be determined post fabrication. Further, the first mode of operation is often beneficial during testing because multiple RF signal paths can be turned on at the same time and thus tested in parallel.

Reconfigurable direct mapping for RF switch control

An RF signal switch circuit that allows connection of any of N radio frequency (RF) input terminals to a switch output port, either in an in-circuit mode or in a bypass mode. Embodiments of the invention allow for both a single switch in the series input path while still having the ability to isolate the bypass path from an input matching network. In both modes, the circuit simultaneously exhibits low input insertion loss (and thus a low noise factor) and high bypass mode isolation.

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San Diego, CA, United States of America

Ethan Prevost