Rf Micro Devices (cayman Islands), Ltd.

Amalfi Semiconductor Corporation

Triquint International Pte, Ltd.

Malcolm Smith

Baker P Scott

Ying Shi

Daniel Ho

George Adrian Maxim

Matthew Anthony Mow

Caesar See-Hoi Wang

Chu Shiung Ho

This application discloses correction circuitry for correcting a phase distortion in an amplification circuit by measuring an amplitude distortion and controlling a phase shifting component based upon the measured amplitude distortion. In one embodiment, a first amplitude distortion sensor is coupled to a first node of an amplification circuit, and a first phase shifter is coupled to a second node of the amplification circuit. Additionally, a first control circuit is coupled to the first amplitude sensor and to the first phase shifter. The first control circuit is configured to correlate a first amplitude distortion measured by the first amplitude distortion sensor to a first inferred phase distortion, and to generate a first phase correction signal based upon the first inferred phase distortion, and is configured to send the first phase correction signal towards the first phase shifter.

Amplifier phase distortion correction based on amplitude distortion measurement

Transmit modules typically constitute passive matching circuitry, harmonic trap filters and an antenna switch to provide isolation between the transmit bands as well as between transmit and receive functions. In complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes the switch function is difficult to implement as a large voltage swing may result in breakdown of the MOS oxide, drain diode, source diode as well as substrate diodes. Therefore a switching function is provided at a node that has low impedance during transmit that limits the voltage swing that the MOS switches experience. The approach is particularly useful, but not limited to, half duplex transmissions such as those used in global system for mobile (GSM) communication, enhanced data for GSM Evolution (EDGE), and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TDSCDMA).

CMOS switching circuitry of a transmitter module

The apparatus and method thereof accurately sense and convert a radio frequency (RF) current signal to direct current (DC) independent of process variation and temperature, and without requiring high speed, high voltage amplifiers for its operation. The apparatus comprises an AC coupled circuit that couples the RF signal from the main device to a sense device with an N:M ratio, a low pass filter system that extracts the DC content of the RF current signal, and a negative feedback loop that forces the DC content of the main device and the sensed device to be equal. Exemplary embodiments include a current sensor that provides feedback to protect an RF power amplifier from over-current condition, and a RF power detection and control in a RF power amplifier (PA) that multiplies the sensed output current by the sensed output voltage to be used as a feedback to control the PA's bias.

Apparatus and method for sensing and converting radio frequency to direct current

In transmitter modules or power amplifier (PA) modules there is at least a possible path for a second and even a third harmonic of a low band to crossover unfiltered into the high band path and reach the antenna and hence cross band isolation is necessary. Forward isolation is necessary in order to limit the input crossing over the PAs into the antenna port. According to the methods and the circuits such cross band isolation and forward isolation is improved by detuning the filter and matching network at the output of the PA. The circuit comprises a trap at the harmonic frequencies of the low band thereby at least reducing the impacts of the cross band and forward isolation.

Methods and circuits for detuning a filter and matching network at the output of a power amplifier

A saturated power amplifier system has a saturated power amplifier that receives an input signal. The saturated power amplifier has one or more stages, including one or more output stages. Each output stage produces multiple signals which are combined. Each output stage has one or more levels of cascoding including one or more thick oxide devices and one or more thin oxide devices.

Saturated power amplifier system

A power amplifier system is provided that includes a power amplifier configured to receive an RF input. A DC-DC converter is coupled to the power amplifier. Clocking circuits drive the DC-DC converter. The clocking circuits use the RF input to generate a clock. The clock acts with the DC-DC converter to provide an output voltage used in the power amplifier.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Malcolm Smith