Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

Conexant Systems, Inc.

Paul Raymond Andrys

David Steven Ripley

Michael Lynn Gerard

Terry J Shie

Terrence John Shie

Michael L Hageman

Philip Howard Thompson

Matthew Lee Banowetz

Robert Michael Fisher

Kerry Brent Phillips

Hugh J Finlay

Mark Bloom

Kevin M Hoheisel

Gunjan Pandey

Keith Nellis

Anuranjan Hosagavi Puttaraju

Kyle James Miller

Ed F Lawrence

Russ Wyse

Robert M Fisher

Michael L Gerard

Amplifier having input power protection. In some embodiments, an amplifier circuit can include an input node and an output node, and an amplifier implemented between the input node and the output node. The amplifier circuit can further include a bias circuit configured to provide a bias signal to the amplifier. The amplifier circuit can further include a protection circuit configured to generate a detected voltage representative of a peak of a radio-frequency signal present at the input node. The protection circuit can be further configured to enable a protection mode when the detected voltage is greater than a first threshold value and to disable the protection mode when the detected voltage is less than a second threshold value that is less than the first threshold value.

Amplifier having input power protection

Radio-frequency splitter circuits, devices and methods. In some embodiments, a power splitter can include an input port, a first output port and a second output port. The power splitter can further include a first signal path implemented between the input port and the first output port, and a second signal path implemented between the input port and the second output port. Each of the first and second signal paths can include a variable capacitance configured to provide a plurality of capacitance values that result in different frequency responses of the respective signal path.

Radio-frequency splitter circuits, devices and methods

A power splitter that amplifies an input radio-frequency (RF) signal. The power splitter uses a single transistor in a common emitter stage of a cascode amplifier and two or more common base stages of the cascode amplifier to amplify and to split the input RF signal. A common base biasing signal can be used to simultaneously enable two or more of the common base stages to generate two or more amplified RF output signals.

Power splitter with signal amplification

Broadband power splitter. In some embodiments, a power splitter can include an input port, a first output port and a second output port. The power splitter can further include a first signal path implemented between the input port and the first output port, and a second signal path implemented between the input port and the second output port. Each of the first and second signal paths can include a variable capacitance configured to provide a plurality of capacitance values that result in different frequency responses of the respective signal path.

Broadband power splitter

Power splitter with cascode stage selection

In a portable radio transceiver, a power amplifier system includes a saturation detector that detects power amplifier saturation in response to duty cycle of the amplifier transistor collector voltage waveform. The saturation detection output signal can be used by a power control circuit to back off or reduce the amplification level of the power amplifier to avoid power amplifier control loop saturation.

Power amplifier saturation detection

Multiband power amplifier with cascode switching. A power amplification system can include a first transistor having a base configured to receive an input radio-frequency (RF) signal and having an emitter coupled to a ground potential. The power amplification system can include a plurality of second transistors. Each one of the plurality of second transistors can have a respective emitter coupled to a collector of the first transistor and can be configured to, when biased at a respective base, output an output RF signal at a respective collector. The power amplification system can further include a biasing circuit configured to bias one or more of the plurality of second transistors based on a control signal.

Power amplifier with cascode switching or splitting functionality

Various implementations include circuits, devices and/or methods that provide open loop current limiting power amplifiers and the like. In some implementations, an open loop current clamp includes a trim module to provide a control value and a limiting source having respective input and output terminals. The input terminal is coupled to the trim module to receive the control value. The output terminal coupled to a control terminal of the first transistor to provide a limiting electrical level produced in response to the control value by the limiting source. The limiting electrical level substantially setting a first mode of operation for the first transistor such that the current draw of the first transistor is substantially determined by the first mode of operation and the limiting electrical level such that a voltage at an output terminal of the first transistor exerts reduced influence on the current draw.

Power amplifier open loop current clamp

A system for power amplifier control saturation detection and correction includes a comparator configured to receive a power control signal and a detected power signal and generate a regulated voltage, a power amplifier configured to receive the regulated voltage and develop an output power, a power detector configured to sense the output power and develop the detected power signal, a saturation detector configured to receive the regulated voltage and a system voltage and determine whether the power amplifier is operating in a saturation mode during a transmit burst, and a current generator configured to reduce the power control signal when the power control signal exceeds a predetermined value and after expiration of a predetermined period of time, preventing the power control signal from exceeding the detected power signal.

System and method for power amplifier control saturation detection and correction

A power correction module for use with an amplifier driving a load impedance is configured to sample the supply current and to cause a change in a control voltage, which corrects the supply voltage in response to a change in the load impedance. The supply voltage is corrected to cause the power amplifier to have a substantially constant output power. The power correction module is further configured to output a corrected peak voltage determined by an average value of the supply current.

Power correction module for power amplifiers

Apparatus and methods for biasing a power amplifier are provided. In one embodiment, a packaged circuit includes a power amplifier, a bond wire electrically connected between a system voltage source and a supply input of the power amplifier, a current source, a reference resistor electrically connected between the system voltage source and the current source, and a comparator. The comparator is configured to compare a sense voltage that is based on a voltage across the bond wire to a reference voltage that is based on a voltage across the reference resistor. The comparator is configured to generate a saturation control signal for clamping a bias current of the power amplifier when the sense voltage exceeds the reference voltage.

Apparatus and methods for biasing a power amplifier

An apparatus for sensing power amplifier current includes a system voltage source that is used to develop a reference voltage, a wire bond structure connected between the system voltage source and a power amplifier, where a sense voltage developed across the wire bond structure is indicative of a current flowing through the power amplifier, and a current source configured to compensate the reference voltage for changes in resistance of the wire bond structure due to a temperature coefficient of the wire bond structure.

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Swisher, IA, United States of America

Paul Raymond Andrys