Psemi Corporation

Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation

Michael Conry

Edward Nicholas Comfoltey

Ethan Prevost

Naveen Krishna Yanduru

Jianhua Lu

Chieh-Kai Yang

Kevin Roberts

Peter Bacon

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 fast response time, self-activating, adjustable threshold limiter including a limiting element LE, a first coupling element CEelectrically connected from a signal node of LE to a control input of LE, and a second coupling element CEelectrically connected from the control input of LE to a nominal node of LE. An initial bias (control) voltage is also supplied to the control input of LE to dynamically control the limiting threshold for the limiter. Embodiments include usage of self-activating adjustable power limiters in combination with series switch components in a switch circuit in lieu of conventional shunt switches.

Integrated switch and self-activating adjustable power limiter

A FET-based RF switch architecture and method that provides for independent control of FETs within component branches of a switching circuit. With independent control of branch FETs, every RF FET in an inactive branch that is in an 'open' (capacitive) state can be shunted to RF ground and thus mitigate impedance mismatch effects. Providing a sufficiently low impedance to RF ground diminishes such negative effects and reduces the sensitivity of the switch circuit to non-matched impedances.

Independent control of branch FETs for RF performance improvement

Self-activating adjustable power limiter

A fast response time, self-activating, adjustable threshold limiter including a limiting element LE, a first coupling element CEelectrically connected from a signal node of LE to a control input of LE, and a second coupling element CEelectrically connected from the control input of LE to a nominal node of LE. An initial bias (control) voltage is also supplied to the control input of LE to dynamically control the limiting threshold for the limiter.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Michael Conry