Apparatus and methods for amplifier linearization
AssigneeSkyworks Solutions, Inc.
InventorsYu Zhu, Oleksiy Klimashov, Dylan Charles Bartle, Paul T. DiCarlo
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for amplifier linearization are disclosed. In certain embodiments, an RF amplifier includes an RF input terminal that receives an RF input signal, an RF output terminal that provides an RF output signal, a gallium nitride field-effect transistor (GaN FET) having a gate connected to the RF input terminal and a drain connected to the RF output terminal. The GaN FET amplifies the RF input signal. The RF amplifier further includes a gallium arsenide field-effect transistor (GaAs FET) having a gate connected to the RF input terminal and a drain connected to the RF output terminal. The GaAs FET is operable to linearize the GaN FET.
Claims20
A radio frequency amplifier comprising:
- a radio frequency input terminal configured to receive a radio frequency input signal;
- a radio frequency output terminal configured to output a radio frequency output signal;
- a gallium nitride field-effect transistor having a gate connected to the radio frequency input terminal and a drain connected to the radio frequency output terminal, the gallium nitride field-effect transistor operable to amplify the radio frequency input signal;
- and
- a gallium arsenide field-effect transistor having a gate connected to the radio frequency input terminal and a drain connected to the radio frequency output terminal, the gallium arsenide field-effect transistor operable to linearize the gallium nitride field-effect transistor.
A method of radio frequency amplification, the method comprising:
- receiving a radio frequency input signal at a radio frequency input terminal;
- amplifying the radio frequency input signal using a gallium nitride field-effect transistor having a gate connected to the radio frequency input terminal and a drain connected to a radio frequency output terminal;
- linearizing the gallium nitride field-effect transistor using a gallium arsenide field-effect transistor having a gate connected to the radio frequency input terminal and a drain connected to the radio frequency output terminal;
- and
- outputting a radio frequency output signal from the radio frequency output terminal.
A mobile device comprising:
- a transceiver;
- and
- a front-end system coupled to the transceiver, the front-end system including a radio frequency amplifier that includes a radio frequency input terminal configured to receive a radio frequency input signal, a radio frequency output terminal configured to output a radio frequency output signal, a gallium nitride field-effect transistor having a gate connected to the radio frequency input terminal and a drain connected to the radio frequency output terminal, and a gallium arsenide field-effect transistor having a gate connected to the radio frequency input terminal and a drain connected to the radio frequency output terminal, the gallium nitride field-effect transistor operable to amplify the radio frequency input signal, and the gallium arsenide field-effect transistor operable to linearize the gallium nitride field-effect transistor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.