Amplifier module with multiple operating modes
AssigneeQUALCOMM Incorporated
InventorsNathan M Pletcher, Aristotele Hadjichristos, Babak Nejati
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An amplifier module with multiple operating modes is described. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes a plurality of amplifiers. The apparatus may also include a plurality of switches, each switch coupled to an output of an associated amplifier in the plurality of amplifiers and configured to provide an amplified signal in a first mode and bypass the associated amplifier and provide an associated bypass signal in a second mode. Further, the apparatus may include an output circuit including a plurality of matching circuits, each matching circuit coupled to an associated amplifier in the plurality of amplifiers and an associated switch in the plurality of switches.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of amplifiers;
- a plurality of switches, each switch coupled to an output of an associated amplifier in the plurality of amplifiers and configured to provide an amplified signal in a first mode and bypass the associated amplifier and provide an associated bypass signal in a second mode;
- and
- an output circuit including a plurality of matching circuits, each matching circuit coupled to an associated amplifier in the plurality of amplifiers and an associated switch in the plurality of switches.
A method of performing signal amplification, comprising:
- amplifying an input signal with a plurality of amplifiers to obtain a plurality of amplified signals in a first mode;
- bypassing at least one amplifier in the plurality of amplifiers with a switch coupled to an output of the at least one amplifier and providing a bypass signal in a second mode;
- performing output impedance matching for each amplifier in the plurality of amplifiers with an output circuit including a plurality of matching circuits in the first mode;
- and
- conveying an output signal based on the amplified signal in the first mode and based on the bypass signal in the second mode.
An apparatus comprising:
- means for amplifying an input signal with a plurality of amplifiers to obtain a plurality of amplified signals in a first mode;
- means for bypassing at least one amplifier in the plurality of amplifiers with a switch coupled to an output of the at least one amplifier and providing a bypass signal in a second mode;
- means for performing output impedance matching for each amplifier in the plurality of amplifiers with an output circuit including a plurality of matching circuits in the first mode;
- and
- means for conveying an output signal based on the amplified signal in the first mode and based on the bypass signal in the second mode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.