MMIC driver amplifier having zig-zag RF signal flow
AssigneeU.S. Monolithics, L.L.C.
InventorsKenneth V. Buer, Deborah S. Dendy
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Abstract
A MMIC (microwave monolithic integrated circuit) driver amplifier having a zig-zag RF signal flow and method for the same is provided. A smaller die size and higher output gain are realized with the improved amplification stage geometry provided herein. In particular, the stages are configured in a “stacked” topology permitting a zig-zag RF signal flow through the stages. Additionally, the DC bias circuitry may be is centralized and adjacent stages may share vias. The die area for a typical K-band driver amplifier may be reduced by about 56% over a conventional amplifier design.
Claims20
A driver amplifier comprising a plurality of amplification stages with each stage having an RF signal input and an RF signal output, the stages being arranged in a stacked configuration such that adjacent stages are orientated in opposite directions so that the output of one stage is in close proximity to the input of an adjacent stage to permit substantially of an RF signal received at said RF signal output to flow in a zig-zag pattern through all the stages.
A driver amplifier comprising:
- a plurality of amplification stages arranged on a die to permit substantially all of an RF signal to flow from one stage to the next stage and said RF signal flow being characteristic of a zig-zag pattern;
- and
- a DC bias circuitry centralized on said die, said circuitry providing a bias feed to each of said amplification stages.
A MMIC driver amplifier comprising:
- a plurality of FET amplification stages with each stage having an RF signal input and an RF signal output, the stages being arranged on a die such that adjacent stages are orientated in opposite directions so that the output of one stage is in close proximity to the input of an adjacent stage to permit an RF signal flow through all the stages characteristic of a zig-zag pattern;
- a DC bias circuitry centralized on said die, said circuitry providing a bias feed to each of said amplification stages;
- and
- an interstage matching network comprising said bias feed and a DC blocking capacitor.
A method of driver amplification comprising:
- arranging a plurality of amplification stages on a die to permit substantially all of an RF signal to flow through all the stages in a zig-zag manner;
- and
- supplying a DC bias to each of said amplification stages from a centralized DC bias circuitry on a perimeter of said die.
A method of manufacturing a MMIC driver amplifier comprising:
- arranging a plurality of amplification stages on a die such that an RF signal flows through the stages in a substantially zig-zag pattern;
- arranging a DC bias circuitry on a perimeter of said die;
- routing a transmission line between said DC bias circuitry and each of said stages;
- and
- modifying said transmission line to provide signal matching between said stages.
A driver amplifier comprising:
- a plurality of amplification stages arranged on a die to permit an RF signal flow from one stage to the next stage and said signal flow being characteristic of a zig-zag pattern, wherein at least two of said stages being arranged to share a source via;
- and
- a DC bias circuitry centralized on said die, said circuitry providing a bias feed to each of said amplification stages.
A driver amplifier comprising:
- a plurality of amplification stages arranged on a die to permit an RF signal flow from one stage to the next stage and said signal flow being characteristic of a zig-zag pattern;
- a DC bias circuitry centralized on said die, said circuitry providing a bias feed to each of said amplification stages;
- and
- an interstage matching network comprising said DC bias feed and a DC blocking capacitor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.