Radio frequency switch controller
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.
Claims20
A switch controller comprising:
- a negative voltage generator including at least two sub-circuits configured to receive at least two control signals, each sub-circuit configured to receive a respective control signal of the at least two control signals and to draw from a regulated supply in response to an edge of the respective control signal, the negative voltage generator including one or more outputs configured to generate one or more negative voltages;
- a control signal generator configured to provide the at least two control signals to the negative voltage generator such that the at least two control signals are separated by at least one non-zero phase difference;
- a filter electrically connected to the one or more outputs of the negative voltage generator and configured to filter the one or more negative voltages;
- and
- a level-shifter array configured to receive the one or more negative voltages and the regulated supply.
A method of negative voltage generation, the method comprising:
- generating a plurality of clock signals of different phases using a clock source, the plurality of clock signals including a first clock signal and a second clock signal separated by a non-zero phase difference;
- providing the plurality of clocks signals to a negative voltage generator that includes a plurality of charge pumps including a first charge pump and a second charge pump;
- generating one or more negative voltages at one or more outputs of the negative voltage generator;
- drawing from a regulated supply in response to an edge of the first clock signal using the first charge pump;
- drawing from the regulated supply in response to an edge of the second clock signal using the second charge pump;
- filtering the one or more negative voltages generated at the one or more outputs of the negative voltage generator using a filter;
- and
- providing the one or more negative voltages and the regulated supply to a level shifter array.
A switch controller for a radio frequency system, the switch controller comprising:
- a clock source configured to generate a plurality of clock signals including a first clock signal and a second clock signal, the first clock signal and the second clock signal having a non-zero phase difference;
- a negative voltage generator including a plurality of charge pumps including a first charge pump and a second charge pump, the first charge pump configured to receive the first clock signal and to draw from a regulated supply in response to an edge of the first clock signal, the second charge pump configured to receive the second clock signal and to draw from the regulated supply in response to an edge of the second clock signal, the negative voltage generator including one or more outputs configured to generate one or more negative voltages;
- a filter electrically connected to the one or more outputs of the negative voltage generator and configured to filter the one or more negative voltages;
- and
- a level shifter array configured to receive the one or more negative voltages and the regulated supply.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.