Amplifier with stacked transconducting cells in parallel and/or cascade “current mode” combining

A high-voltage multi-stage signal amplifier, the amplifier comprising:

• a plurality of transconducting cells of a first stage, each configured to receive a direct current (DC) supply current (Idc), an alternating current (AC) radio frequency (RF) input current (IRF_IN), and an RF input signal (RFIN);
• and each configured to output the DC supply current (Idc) and an AC RF output current (IRF_OUT);
• and
• a plurality of transconducting cells of a second stage, each configured to receive the DC supply current (Idc), the AC RF input current (IRF_IN), and the RF input signal (RFIN);
• and each configured to output the DC supply current (Idc) and the AC RF output current (IRF_OUT),
• wherein the transconducting cells of the first stage are connected together in cascode for the DC supply current (Idc), are connected together in parallel or in cascade for the RF input signal (RFIN), and are connected together in parallel or in cascade for the AC RF output currents (IRF_OUT),
• wherein the transconducting cells of the second stage are connected together in cascode for the DC supply current (Idc), are connected together in parallel or in cascade for the RF input signal (RFIN), and are connected together in parallel or in cascade for the AC RF output currents (IRF_OUT), and
• wherein the first stage and the second stage are connected together in cascode for the DC supply current.

A method for operation of a high-voltage signal amplifier, the method comprising:

• inputting, into each transconducting cell of a plurality of transconducting cells, a direct current (DC) supply current (Idc), an alternating current (AC) radio frequency (RF) input current (IRF_IN), and an RF input signal (RFIN);
• and
• outputting, by each of the transconducting cells of the plurality of transconducting cells, the DC supply current (Idc) and an AC RF output current (IRF_OUT),
• wherein the transconducting cells are connected together in cascode for the DC supply current (Idc), are connected together in parallel or in cascade for the RF input signal (RFIN), and are connected together in parallel or in cascade for the AC RF output currents (IRF_OUT).

A high-voltage signal amplifier, the amplifier

• comprising:
• a plurality of transconducting cells, each configured to receive a direct current (DC) supply current (Idc), an alternating current (AC) radio frequency (RF) input current (IRF_IN), and an RF input signal (RFIN);
• and each configured to output the DC supply current (Idc) and an AC RF output current (IRF_OUT),
• wherein the transconducting cells are connected together in cascode for the DC supply current (Idc), are connected together in parallel or in cascade for the RF input signal (RFIN), and are connected together in parallel or in cascade for the AC RF output currents (IRF_OUT).