Gain stage degeneration inductor switching without the use of switches
AssigneeSkyworks Solutions, Inc.
InventorsJunhyung Lee, Johannes Jacobus Emile Maria Hageraats
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are signal amplifier architectures that provide a plurality of gain modes. Different gain modes can use different paths through the amplifier architecture. Switches that are used to select the path through the amplifier architecture can be configured to also provide targeted impedance in a degeneration block or matrix. The switches that select the gain path are provided in the amplifier architecture and are thus not needed or used in the degeneration block, thereby reducing the size of the package for the amplifier architecture, improving the noise figure (NF), improving impedance matching, and eliminating the need for control logic associated with the degeneration block or matrix.
Claims20
A variable-gain signal amplifier comprising:
- a variable-gain stage configured to receive an input signal and generate an amplified output signal, the variable-gain stage including a plurality of gain stages and an isolation switch that isolates inputs to each of the plurality of gain stages;
- and
- a degeneration matrix coupled to the variable-gain stage and configured to provide a plurality of tailored impedance levels for the variable-gain stage depending on a path through the variable-gain stage, the degeneration matrix not including any switches.
A front end architecture comprising:
- a variable gain signal amplifier including a variable-gain stage configured to receive an input signal and generate an amplified output signal, the variable-gain stage including a plurality of gain stages and an isolation switch that isolates inputs to each of the plurality of gain stages, and a degeneration matrix coupled to the variable-gain stage and configured to provide a plurality of tailored impedance levels for the variable-gain stage depending on a path through the variable-gain stage, the degeneration matrix not including any switches;
- a filter assembly coupled to the variable gain signal amplifier to direct frequency bands to select inputs of the variable gain signal amplifier;
- and
- a controller implemented to control the variable gain signal amplifier to provide a plurality of gain modes such that, in a low gain mode, the variable gain signal amplifier directs signals along a path that bypasses the variable-gain stage.
A wireless device comprising:
- a diversity antenna;
- a filter assembly coupled to the diversity antenna to receive signals and to direct frequency bands along select paths;
- a variable gain signal amplifier including a variable-gain stage configured to receive an input signal and generate an amplified output signal, the variable gain-stage including a plurality of gain stages and an isolation switch that isolates inputs to each of the plurality of gain stages, and a degeneration matrix coupled to the variable-gain stage and configured to provide a plurality of tailored impedance levels for the variable-gain stage depending on a path through the variable-gain stage, the degeneration matrix not including any switches;
- and
- a controller implemented to control the variable gain signal amplifier to provide a plurality of gain modes such that, in a low gain mode, the variable gain signal amplifier directs signals along a path that bypasses the variable-gain stage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.