High linearity cmos rf switch passing large signal and quiescent power amplifier current

A tangible computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, if executed by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to perform operations comprising:

• determining whether to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal by a first gain or a second gain, the first gain achievable by a first circuit having one or more power amplifiers and configured to be turned on or off by a triple-well CMOS switch having an isolated well about the switch's source, gate, and drain, the switch in the on state resulting in the RF signal being amplified by the first gain, and the switch in the off state resulting in the RF signal being amplified by the second gain;
• applying or inducing application of a first bias voltage to the isolated well upon determination that the RF signal is to be amplified by the first gain, the first bias voltage substantially fixed relative to a bias voltage applied to at least one of the source and drain of the switch;
• and
• applying or inducing application of a second bias voltage to the isolated well upon determination that the RF signal is to be amplified by the second gain.

A radio frequency switch, comprising:

• a first-type silicon substrate;
• a second-type isolation well formed in the substrate;
• a first-type isolated well separated from the substrate by the isolation well and electrically coupled to a supply such that a bias voltage applied to the isolated well is substantially fixed to a voltage provided by the supply;
• source and drain disposed in the isolated well;
• and
• a gate disposed on the isolated well so as to allow switching on and off of electrical conduction between the source and drain by application of different bias gate voltages.

A method for controlling amplification radio frequency signals, the method comprising:

• determining whether to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal by a first gain or a second gain, the first gain achievable by a first circuit having one or more power amplifiers and configured to be turned on or off by a triple-well CMOS switch having an isolated well about the switch's source, gate, and drain, the switch in the on state resulting in the RF signal being amplified by the first gain, and the switch in the off state resulting in the RF signal being amplified by the second gain;
• applying or inducing application of a first bias voltage to the isolated well upon determination that the RF signal is to be amplified by the first gain, the first bias voltage substantially fixed relative to a bias voltage applied to at least one of the source and drain of the switch;
• and
• applying or inducing application of a second bias voltage to the isolated well upon determination that the RF signal is to be amplified by the second gain.