Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

Weiheng Chang

Xingyi Hua

Joel Richard King

Nick Cheng

Hyeong Tae Jeong

Doel Roy

This disclosure relates to variable-gain amplifiers that include degeneration circuits configured to adapt to a gain mode that is currently being implemented. For example, a variable-gain amplifier can operate in a plurality of gain modes to amplify a signal with different levels of amplification. The variable-gain amplifier can include a gain circuit configured to amplify a signal and a degeneration circuit coupled to the gain circuit. The degeneration circuit can include an inductor and a switching-capacitive arm coupled in parallel to the inductor. The degeneration circuit can operate based on a current gain mode to change an inductance for the variable-gain amplifier.

Capacitor-based degeneration circuits

This disclosure describes amplifiers that include impedance circuits that are configured to adapt to various contexts. For example, a variable-gain amplifier can include a gain circuit configured to amplify a signal and to operate in a plurality of gain modes, and an impedance circuit coupled to the gain circuit. The impedance circuit can include an inductor and a switching-capacitive arm coupled in parallel to the inductor. The impedance circuit can be configured to operate based at least in part on a gain mode from among the plurality of gain modes.

Amplifier with tunable impedance circuit

Adaptive degeneration circuits

Front-end for processing 2G signal using 3G/4G paths. In some embodiments, a front-end architecture can include a first amplification path and a second amplification path, with each being configured to amplify a 3G/4G signal, and the first amplification path including a phase shifting circuit. The front-end architecture can further include a splitter configured to receive a 2G signal and split the 2G signal into the first and second amplification paths, and a combiner configured to combine amplified 2G signals from the first and second amplification paths into a common output path. The front-end architecture can further include an impedance transformer implemented along the common output path to provide a desired impedance for the combined 2G signal.

Front-end for processing 2G signal using 3G/4G paths

Variable-gain amplifier with degeneration circuit

Circuits and methods for 2G amplification using 3G/4G linear path combination. In some embodiments, a front-end architecture can include a first amplification path and a second amplification path, with each being configured to amplify a 3G/4G signal, and the first amplification path including a phase shifting circuit. The front-end architecture can further include a splitter configured to receive a 2G signal and split the 2G signal into the first and second amplification paths, and a combiner configured to combine amplified 2G signals from the first and second amplification paths into a common output path. The front-end architecture can further include an impedance transformer implemented along the common output path to provide a desired impedance for the combined 2G signal.

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Thousand Oaks, CA, United States of America

Weiheng Chang