US 7,221,217 B2 · Self-bias and digitally tunable conduction angle circuits for a differential RF non-linear power amplifier employing low-voltage transistors

Abstract

A differential RF non-linear power amplifier employing low-voltage transistors in a cascode configuration uses self-biasing solutions rather than external biasing techniques to overcome transistor breakdown problems. The self-biasing solution ensures that the cascode devices and driver device operate below breakdown voltage limitations. A low resistance circuit is placed in parallel with the self-biased circuitry to mitigate increased on-resistance created by the self-biasing solution. PMOS and NMOS inverter legs provide digital programming of the conduction angle for the power amplifier. Changing the PMOS and NMOS strengths in the chain of inverter legs changes the conduction angle.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier, comprising:

a first, a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth, and a sixth transistor, each having a drain, a source, and a gate;
and
a first, a second, a third, and a fourth resistor;
the drain of the first transistor directly connected to the sources of the second and third transistors and, the drain of the second transistor directly connected to the gate of the second transistor via the first resistor, the gate of the second transistor directly connected to the gate of the sixth transistor via the second resistor,
the drain of the fourth transistor directly connected to the sources of the fifth and sixth transistors and, the drain of the fifth transistor directly connected to the gate of the fifth transistor via the third resistor, the gate of the fifth transistor directly connected to the gate of the third transistor via the fourth resistor, the fourth resistor directly connected to the gate of the third transistor and the second resistor directly connected to the gate of the sixth transistor.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Self-bias and digitally tunable conduction angle circuits for a differential RF non-linear power amplifier employing low-voltage transistors

Life of this patent

Self-bias and digitally tunable conduction angle circuits for a differential RF non-linear power amplifier employing low-voltage transistors

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11