Cascode amplifier segmentation for enhanced thermal ruggedness
AssigneeSkyworks Solutions, Inc.
InventorPhilip John LEHTOLA
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to some implementation, a power amplifier includes a plurality of pairs of transistors, each pair of transistors including a common emitter transistor and a common base transistor arranged in a cascode configuration. The power amplifier further includes electrical connections implemented to connect the plurality of pairs in a parallel configuration between an input node and an output node. According to some implementations, the electrical connections are configured to distribute a collector current to all of the common base transistors to thereby reduce likelihood of damage to one or more common base transistors during a thermal run-away event.
Claims20
A power amplifier comprising:
- a plurality of pairs of transistors, each pair of transistors including a common emitter transistor and a common base transistor arranged in a cascode configuration, and for each of the plurality of pairs of transistors, the base of the common base transistor being coupled to a single bias input;
- and
- electrical connections implemented to connect the plurality of pairs in a parallel configuration between an input node and an output node, the electrical connections configured distribute to a collector current to all of the common base transistors.
A radio-frequency module comprising:
- a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components;
- and
- a power amplification system implemented on the packaging substrate, the power amplification system including a power amplifier configured to receive and amplify a radio-frequency signal, the power amplifier including a plurality of pairs of transistors, each pair of transistors including a common emitter transistor and a common base transistor arranged in a cascode configuration, for each of the plurality of pairs of transistors the base of the common base transistor being coupled to a single bias input, the power amplifier further including electrical connections implemented to connect the plurality of pairs in a parallel configuration between an input node and an output node, the electrical connections configured to distribute a collector current to all of the common base transistors.
A radio-frequency device comprising:
- a transceiver configured to generate a radio-frequency signal;
- a front-end module in communication with the transceiver, the front-end module including a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components, the front-end module further including a power amplifier configured to amplify the radio-frequency signal, the power amplifier including a plurality of pairs of transistors, each pair of transistors including a common emitter transistor and a common base transistor arranged in a cascode configuration and for each of the plurality of pairs of transistors, the base of the common base transistor being coupled to a single bias input, the power amplifier further including electrical connections implemented to connect the plurality of pairs in a parallel configuration between an input node and an output node, the electrical connections configured to distribute a collector current to all of the common base transistors;
- and
- an antenna in communication with the front-end module, the antenna configured to transmit the amplified radio-frequency signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.