Selective high and low power amplifier switch architecture

An amplification system comprising:

• a high power amplifier;
• a low power amplifier;
• a first transistor coupled between the high power amplifier and an output;
• a second transistor;
• a third transistor, wherein the second transistor is coupled between the output and the third transistor, and wherein the third transistor is coupled between the second transistor and a reference potential, the second transistor being directly coupled to the third transistor in series between the output and the reference potential;
• and
• a fourth transistor coupled between the low power amplifier and a node between the second transistor and the third transistor, the fourth transistor being directly coupled to the node.

A method of selectively coupling an output to a high power amplifier and a low power amplifier, the method comprising:

• using a first control signal to control operation of a first transistor, the first transistor being coupled between the high power amplifier and the output;
• using a second control signal and a third control signal to control operation of a second transistor;
• using the second control signal to control operation of a third transistor, the second transistor being coupled in series between the output and the third transistor, and the third transistor being coupled between the second transistor and a reference potential;
• and
• using the third control signal to control operation of a fourth transistor, the fourth transistor being coupled between the low power amplifier and a node between the second transistor and the third transistor,
• further comprising controlling, in a low power amplification mode, the first transistor to be turned off, the fourth switch to be turned on, the second transistor to be turned on, and the third transistor to be turned off;
• or
• further comprising controlling, in a high power amplification mode, the first transistor to be turned on, the fourth transistor to be turned off, the second transistor to be turned off, and the third transistor to be turned off;
• or
• further comprising controlling, in a no amplification mode, the first transistor to be turned off, the fourth transistor to be turned off, the second transistor to be turned on, and the third transistor to be turned on.