The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 30, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 24, 2000
Stephen J. Westerman, Santa Rosa, CA (US);
Agilent Technologies, Inc., Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
A high-frequency switch for blocking or transmitting a high frequency input signal. The switch includes a common-base transistor having an emitter, base, and collector, the emitter being connected to an input node and the base being connected to a power rail that is preferably ground. The input node is coupled to the input signal. The present invention utilizes a shunt having a switching element with closed and open states to route the input signal either to the collector of the common-base transistor or to the power rail. The switching element connects the input node to the power rail in the closed state and isolates the input node from the power rail when the switching element is in the open state. The open and closed states are selected by the application of a control signal to the switching element. A bias circuit sets the input node to be at a first bias potential when the switching element is in the open state and a second bias potential when the switching element is in the closed state. The first bias potential causes the common-base transistor to be in a conducting state, and the second bias potential causing the common-base transistor to be in a non-conducting state. The switching element may be constructed from a wide variety of circuit elements including a diode, transistor, or mechanical switch.