Amplifier with scalable impedance adjustments over gain modes
AssigneeSkyworks Solutions, Inc.
InventorJunhyung Lee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein are signal amplifiers that provide impedance adjustments for different gain modes. The impedance adjustments are configured to result in a constant real impedance for an input signal at the amplifier. The amplifiers include a scalable impedance adjustment circuit that adjusts inductance and/or a device width to compensate for changes in the total impedance presented to an input signal. By providing impedance adjustments, the amplifiers reduce losses and improve performance by improving impedance matching over a range of gain modes.
Claims20
A radio-frequency (RF) signal amplifier configured to provide a plurality of gain modes, the signal amplifier comprising:
- a power supply configured to provide a source current that differs for individual gain modes;
- a gain stage including an RF stage transistor and a cascode stage transistor, the gain stage configured to receive the source current from the power supply to operate the gain stage at corresponding gain modes, a total input impedance presented to an input RF signal associated with a transconductance of the RF stage transistor;
- and
- an impedance adjustment circuit coupled to the gain stage and configured to provide a tailored adjustment that compensates for changes in the transconductance using switchable inductive elements.
A semiconductor die having a radio-frequency (RF) circuit, comprising:
- a substrate;
- and
- an RF amplifier configured to provide a plurality of gain modes implemented on the substrate, the RF amplifier including a power supply configured to provide a source current that differs for individual gain modes;
- the RF amplifier further including a gain stage including an RF stage transistor and a cascode stage transistor, the gain stage configured to receive the source current from the power supply to operate the gain stage at corresponding gain modes, a total input impedance presented to an input RF signal associated with a transconductance of the RF stage transistor;
- and the RF amplifier further including an impedance adjustment circuit coupled to the gain stage and configured to provide a tailored adjustment that compensates for changes in the transconductance using switchable inductive elements.
A wireless device comprising:
- an antenna configured to at least receive a radio-frequency (RF) signal;
- an RF amplifier in communication with the antenna and configured to provide a plurality of gain modes to generate an amplified RF signal, the RF amplifier including a power supply configured to provide a source current that differs for individual gain modes;
- the RF amplifier further including a gain stage including an RF stage transistor and a cascode stage transistor, the gain stage configured to receive the source current from the power supply to operate the gain stage at corresponding gain modes, a total input impedance presented to an input RF signal associated with a transconductance of the RF stage transistor;
- and the RF amplifier further including an impedance adjustment circuit coupled to the gain stage and configured to provide a tailored adjustment that compensates for changes in the transconductance using switchable inductive elements;
- and
- a transceiver configured to process the amplified RF signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.