Multilayer amplifier module

An amplifier module comprising:

• an integrated circuit device comprising a first amplifier circuit electrically connected to a first input terminal, the first amplifier circuit comprising x (x≧2) first amplifier branches electrically connected to the first input terminal;
• y (y≧2) first output terminals, each of the y first output terminals corresponding to a transmit frequency band;
• a first switching unit to electrically connect one or more of the first amplifier branches to one of the first output terminals;
• and
• a multilayer substrate, the integrated circuit device and the first switching unit being mounted on the multilayer substrate;
• wherein the multilayer substrate comprises integrated passive matching elements that comprise parts of matching circuits;
• wherein each of the first amplifier branches is to deliver a different power level at a corresponding first amplifier branch output;
• wherein the matching circuits are configured to match first amplifier branches to a load at the first output terminals;
• and
• wherein the first switching unit comprises:
• a level switch to select a first amplifier branch having a desired power level;
• and
• a band switch to select a first output terminal assigned to a transmit frequency band;
• wherein the level switch and the band switch are electrically connected to a common connection point.

An amplifier module comprising:

• an integrated circuit device comprising a first amplifier circuit electrically connected to a first input terminal, the first amplifier circuit comprising x (x≧2) first amplifier branches electrically connected to the first input terminal;
• y (y≧2) first output terminals, each of the y first output terminals corresponding to a transmit frequency band;
• a first switching unit to electrically connect one or more of the first amplifier branches to one of the first output terminals;
• a multilayer substrate, the integrated circuit device and the first switching unit being mounted on the multilayer substrate;
• and
• a voltage regulator to deliver different bias voltages or currents to the first amplifier circuit, the voltage regulator being formed in a same semiconductor substrate as the first switching unit;
• wherein the multilayer substrate comprises integrated passive matching elements that comprise parts of matching circuits;
• wherein each of the first amplifier branches is to deliver a different power level at a corresponding first amplifier branch output;
• and
• wherein the matching circuits are configured to match first amplifier branches to a load at the first output terminals.

An amplifier module comprising:

• an integrated circuit device comprising a first amplifier circuit electrically connected to a first input terminal, the first amplifier circuit comprising x (x≧2) first amplifier branches electrically connected to the first input terminal;
• y (y≧2) first output terminals, each of the y first output terminals corresponding to a transmit frequency band;
• a first switching unit to electrically connect one or more of the first amplifier branches to one of the first output terminals;
• and
• a multilayer substrate, the integrated circuit device and the first switching unit being mounted on the multilayer substrate;
• wherein the multilayer substrate comprises integrated passive matching elements that comprise parts of matching circuits;
• wherein each of the first amplifier branches is to deliver a different power level at a corresponding first amplifier branch output;
• wherein the matching circuits are configured to match first amplifier branches to a load at the first output terminals;
• and
• wherein, for a first amplifier branch electrically connected to the first input terminal, the first amplifier branch comprises:
• a number of amplifier stages that are different from a number of amplifier stages in any other first amplifier branch electrically connected to the first input terminal;
• wherein each of the amplifier stages comprises a semiconductor element manufactured from a same technology as others of the amplifier stages.

An amplifier module comprising:

• an integrated circuit device comprising a first amplifier circuit electrically connected to a first input terminal, the first amplifier circuit comprising x (x≧2) first amplifier branches electrically connected to the first input terminal;
• y (y≧2) first output terminals, each of the y first output terminals corresponding to a transmit frequency band;
• a first switching unit to electrically connect one or more of the first amplifier branches to one of the first output terminals;
• and
• a multilayer substrate, the integrated circuit device and the first switching unit being mounted on the multilayer substrate;
• wherein the multilayer substrate comprises integrated passive matching elements that comprise parts of matching circuits;
• wherein each of the first amplifier branches is to deliver a different power level at a corresponding first amplifier branch output;
• wherein the matching circuits are configured to match first amplifier branches to a load at the first output terminals;
• and
• wherein a first matching circuit is electrically connected between the first amplifier circuit and the first switching unit, and a second matching circuit is electrically connected between the first switching unit and an output terminal.