Variable capacitance circuit arrangement
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsColin Leslie Perry, Stephen John Parry, Alessandro F. Deidda, Christopher R. Shepherd
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A variable capacitance network is disclosed, comprising a plurality of capacitance arms connected in parallel with each other between first and second terminals of the network. Each capacitance arm has a varactor and a series capacitor in series with the varactor A control input applies a common control signal to the junctions between the varactors and their associated series capacitors, to allow for simultaneous control of each varactor.
Claims25
A variable capacitance network comprising:
- a plurality of capacitance arms connected in parallel with each other between first and second terminals of the network, each capacitance arm comprising a respective varactor and an associated series capacitor in series with the varactor;
- control input means coupled to the junctions between the varactors and their associated series capacitors, and arranged to apply a common control signal to each varactor;
- and
- control means having a common control voltage source and a plurality of bias voltage sources, each bias voltage source being connected to a respective one of the varactors whereby each bias voltage source is independently controllable.
A tunable radio frequency (RF) circuit comprising a circuit arrangement having a variable tuning capacitance, wherein the circuit arrangement comprises a plurality of tuning varactors connected in parallel, and coupled to the tuning varactors, control means arranged to apply a common control signal to each varactor for electronically controlling the capacitances of the varactors, and one or more inductors, the control means having a control range over which they cause the capacitance of the circuit arrangement to vary, and wherein the varactors each have a respective fixed capacitor connected in series with it, the resulting series combination being coupled to the inductor or one of the inductors, the control means being coupled to the nodes between the varactors and their respective fixed capacitors, wherein the control means comprises a common control voltage source and a plurality of different respective offset voltage sources applied to respective ones of the varactors, whereby each offset voltage source is independently controllable.
A voltage-controllable oscillator comprising:
- an inductance;
- a plurality of tuning circuit arms connected in parallel with each other across the inductance, each tuning circuit arm comprising a respective varactor and an associated series capacitor in series with the varactor;
- control input means coupled to the junctions between the varactors and their associated series capacitors, and arranged to apply a common control signal to each varactor;
- and
- control means having a common control voltage source of the varactors and a plurality of respective fixed bias voltage sources of different voltage values whereby each bias voltage source is independently controllable.
A variable capacitance network comprising:
- a plurality of capacitance arms connected in parallel with each other between first and second terminals of the network, each capacitance arm comprising a respective varactor and an associated series capacitor in series with that varactor;
- control input means coupled to the junctions between the varactors and their associated series capacitors and arranged to apply a control signal to each varactor;
- and
- control means having a plurality of different value variable control voltage sources and a common bias voltage source whereby each variable control voltage source is independently controllable.
A voltage-controllable oscillator comprising:
- an inductance;
- a plurality of tuning circuit arms connected in parallel with each other across the inductance, each tuning circuit arm comprising a respective varactor and an associated series capacitor in series with that varactor;
- control input means coupled to the junctions between the varactors and their associated series capacitors, and arranged to apply a common control signal to each varactor;
- and
- control means having a plurality of different value control voltage sources and a common bias voltage source whereby each variable control voltage source is independently controllable.
A tunable radio frequency (RF) circuit comprising a circuit arrangement having a variable tuning capacitance, wherein the circuit arrangement comprises a plurality of tuning varactors effectively connected in parallel, and coupled to the tuning varactors, control means arranged to apply a control signal to each varactor for electronically controlling the capacitances of the varactors, and at least inductor, the control means having a control range over which they cause the capacitance of the circuit arrangement to vary, and wherein each of the varactors has a respective fixed capacitor connected in series with it, the resulting series combination being coupled to the at least one inductor, the control means being coupled to the nodes between the varactors and their respective fixed capacitors, wherein the control means comprises a plurality of sources of different value variable control voltage sources and a common offset voltage source applied to respective ones of the varactors, whereby each variable control voltage source is independently controllable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.