Multi-mode stacked amplifier
AssigneeSkyworks Solutions, Inc.
InventorYasser Khairat Soliman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Aspects of this disclosure relate to an amplification circuit that includes a stacked amplifier and a bias circuit. The stacked amplifier includes at least a first transistor and a second transistor in series with each other. The stacked amplifier is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. The bias circuit is configured to bias the second transistor to a linear region of operation in the first mode and to bias the second transistor as a switch in the second mode. In certain embodiments, the amplification circuit can be a power amplifier stage configured to receive a supply voltage that has a different voltage level in the first mode than in the second mode.
Claims20
An amplification circuit comprising:
- a stacked amplifier including at least a first transistor and a second transistor in series with each other, the stacked amplifier operable in at least a first mode and a second mode;
- and
- a bias circuit configured to bias the second transistor to a linear region of operation in the first mode and to bias the second transistor as a switch in the second mode.
A power amplifier system comprising:
- a power amplifier stage including at least a first transistor and a second transistor in series with each other, the power amplifier stage operable in at least a first mode and a second mode;
- a bias circuit configured to bias the second transistor to a linear region of operation in the first mode and to bias the second transistor as a switch in the second mode;
- and
- a supply control circuit configured to provide a supply voltage to the power amplifier stage such that the supply voltage has a higher voltage level in the first mode than in the second mode.
A front end system comprising:
- a low noise amplifier;
- a power amplifier circuit including a stacked amplifier including at least a first transistor and a second transistor in series with each other, the stacked amplifier operable in at least a first mode and a second mode, the power amplifier circuit further including a bias circuit configured to bias the second transistor to a linear region of operation in the first mode and to bias the second transistor as a switch in the second mode;
- and
- a switch electrically connected to the low noise amplifier and the power amplifier circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.