Enhanced amplifier efficiency through cascode current steering
AssigneeSkyworks Solutions, Inc.
InventorsPhilip John LEHTOLA, David Steven RIPLEY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to some implementations, a power amplifier (PA) includes a common emitter configured to receive a radio-frequency (RF) signal. The PA also includes a carrier amplifier coupled to the common emitter to form a carrier cascode configuration, a collector of the carrier amplifier provided with a first supply voltage. The PA further includes a peaking amplifier coupled to the common emitter to form a peaking cascode configuration, a collector of the peaking amplifier provided with a second supply voltage greater than the first supply voltage.
Claims20
A power amplifier (PA) comprising:
- a common emitter configured to receive a radio-frequency (RF) signal;
- a carrier amplifier coupled to the common emitter to form a carrier cascode configuration, a collector of the carrier amplifier provided with a first supply voltage;
- and
- a peaking amplifier coupled to the common emitter to form a peaking cascode configuration, a collector of the peaking amplifier provided with a second supply voltage greater than the first supply voltage.
A radio-frequency (RF) module comprising:
- a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components;
- and
- a power amplifier (PA) implemented on the packaging substrate, the PA including a common emitter configured to receive an RF signal, the PA further including a carrier amplifier coupled to the common emitter to form a carrier cascode configuration, a collector of the carrier amplifier provided with a first supply voltage, the PA further including a peaking amplifier coupled to the common emitter to form a peaking cascode configuration, a collector of the peaking amplifier provided with a second supply voltage greater than the first supply voltage.
A radio-frequency (RF) device comprising:
- a transceiver configured to generate a RF signal;
- a front-end module (FEM) in communication with the transceiver, the FEM including a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components, the FEM further including a power amplifier (PA) implemented on the packaging substrate, the PA including a common emitter configured to receive an RF signal, the PA further including a carrier amplifier coupled to the common emitter to form a carrier cascode configuration, a collector of the carrier amplifier provided with a first supply voltage, the PA further including a peaking amplifier coupled to the common emitter to form a peaking cascode configuration, a collector of the peaking amplifier provided with a second supply voltage greater than the first supply voltage;
- and
- an antenna in communication with the FEM, the antenna configured to transmit the amplified RF signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.