Power amplifier utilizing high breakdown voltage circuit topology
AssigneeAmalfi Semiconductor, Inc.
InventorsLawrence M. Burns, Chong L. Woo, Clement Szeto
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Abstract
A power amplifier utilizes cascode arrangements to achieve target performance levels for a power amplifier, such as the type used in wireless communication devices. A negative resistance circuit is provided for the cascode arrangement such that high gain, or oscillation, is promoted during operation of the power amplifier. In one embodiment, the negative resistance circuit includes cross-coupling transistors. Various features are provided in order to reduce the susceptibility of the power amplifier to voltage breakdown while maintaining good performance.
Claims36
A power amplifier comprising:
- a first amplifier stage having a first cascode transistor in series with a parallel connection of a first input transistor and a first cross-coupling transistor;
- and
- a second amplifier stage having a second cascode transistor in series with a parallel connection of a second input transistor and a second cross-coupling transistor, said first and second cascode transistors having drain nodes which are cooperatively coupled such that said first and second amplifier stages combine to define a power-combined output;
- wherein a gate node of said first cross-coupling transistor is connected to a source node of said second cascode transistor and wherein a gate node of said second cross-coupling transistor is connected to a source node of said first cascode transistor.
A method of providing power amplification comprising:
- providing an impedance transforming network defined by at least one segment;
- providing a differential structure in driving said segment such that there are at least two amplifier stages;
- providing a cascode arrangement for each said amplifier stage, including limiting each said cascode arrangement to a series connection of transistors having a single cascode device and an input device;
- establishing a negative resistance circuit for said cascode arrangements such that higher gain or oscillation is promoted by positive feedback during intended operation of said amplifier stages;
- and
- providing control signals to gate nodes of said cascode devices independently of current through said series connections.
A power amplifier comprising:
- an impedance transforming network;
- first and second amplifier stages connected to drive said impedance transforming network, each said amplifier stage having a cascode arrangement of a single cascode device and an input device connected in series;
- a negative resistance circuit interconnecting said first and second amplifier stages to induce oscillation;
- drive signal inputs connected to said input devices;
- and
- control signal inputs connected to said single cascode device of said first amplifier stage and said single cascode device of said second amplifier stage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.