Reduced clock feed-through systems, methods and apparatus
AssigneeSkyworks Solutions, Inc.
InventorsPeter Harris Robert Popplewell, Jakub F. Pingot, Florinel G. Balteanu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Implementations of radio frequency switch controllers within the scope of the appended claims are configured to reduce the impact of the clock signal induced spurs. In particular, implementations of switch controllers described herein include a poly-phase clocking scheme, as opposed to a single phase to clock the charge pump stages of an negative voltage generator. In some implementations poly-phase clocking schemes reduce the clock signal induced spurs and may preclude the need for additional on-chip or off-chip decoupling capacitors that add to the cost and physical size of a complete front end module solution.
Claims17
An apparatus comprising:
- a controllable electrical source including at least two sub-circuits, each sub-circuit configured to receive a respective control signal and draw from a supply in response to receiving the respective control signal;
- and
- a control signal generator configured to provide at least two control signals separated by at least one non-zero phase difference;
- and
- a dither generator configured to dither at least one of the at least two control signals provided by the control signal generator.
An comprising:
- a controllable electrical source including at least two sub-circuits and a negative voltage generator, each sub-circuit configured to receive a respective control signal and draw from a supply in response to receiving the respective control signal, the negative voltage generator including at least two charge-pumps, at least one of the charge-pumps providing an output of the negative voltage generator;
- a control signal generator configured to provide at least two control signals separated by at least one non-zero phase difference;
- and
- a filter connectable to at least one output of the negative voltage generator.
A method of reducing clock feed-through in the combination of a switch and switch controller, the method comprising:
- providing a controllable source including at least two sub-circuits, each sub-circuit configured to receive a respective control signal and draw from a supply in response to receiving the respective control signal;
- providing a respective control signal to each of the respective at least two sub-circuits, and at least two of the control signals are characterized by a non-zero phase difference;
- and
- dithering at least one of the at least two control signals provided by the control signal generator.
An apparatus comprising:
- means for delivering an electrical signal including at least two sub-circuits, each sub-circuit is configured to receive a respective control signal and draw from a supply in response to receiving the respective control signal;
- means for generating control signals configured to provide at least two control signals separated by at least one non-zero phase difference;
- and
- means for dithering at least one of the at least two control signals provided by the means for generating control signals.
A computer program product for reducing clock feed-through including a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that when executed cause an apparatus to:
- provide a respective control signal to each of at least two sub-circuits included in a controllable electrical source, at least two of the control signals being characterized by a non-zero phase difference, and each of the at least two sub-circuits being configured to receive a respective control signal and draw from a supply in response to receiving the respective control signal;
- and
- dither at least one of the at least two control signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.