Transconductance optimization using feedback-balun-transformer with inductance degeneration combinations
AssigneeFuturewei Technologies, Inc.
InventorsYoonhyuk Ro, Xuya Qiu, Jamil Forrester
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Abstract
Disclosed are apparatuses and methods to overcome technology limitations to achieve linearity and efficiency performance suitable for practical wireless communications systems. In an embodiment, an amplifier is provided that superimposes the transconductance from a common source amplifier with inductor degeneration with the transconductance from a common source amplifier without degeneration. In an embodiment, an amplifier is provided having a feedback-balun-transformer that provides electro-magnetic coupling between primary, secondary, and negative feedback degeneration inductors and a differential to single-ended conversion output.
Claims15
An apparatus comprising:
- a transconductance amplifier comprising:
- a first N-channel transistor having a source coupled through a first degeneration inductor to a negative power supply rail, and a gate coupled to one end of a first resistor and directly through a first AC coupling capacitor to a signal source;
- and
- a second N-channel transistor having a source coupled through a second degeneration inductor to the negative power supply rail, and a gate coupled to one end of a second resistor and directly through a second AC coupling capacitor to the signal source;
- and
- a feedback-balun-transformer having primary inductors and secondary inductors, the feedback-balun-transformer coupled to the transconductance amplifier and configured to:
- provide electro-magnetic coupling between the primary inductors, the secondary inductors, and the degeneration inductors;
- and
- provide a differential to single-ended output.
A method comprising:
- by a feedback-balun-transformer having primary inductors and secondary inductors, the feedback-balun-transformer coupled to a transconductance amplifier that comprises a first N-channel transistor and a second N-channel transistor, the first N-channel transistor having a source coupled through a first degeneration inductor to a negative power supply rail and a gate coupled to one end of a first resistor and directly through a first AC coupling capacitor to a signal source, the second N-channel transistor having a source coupled through a second degeneration inductor to the negative power supply rail and a gate coupled to one end of a second resistor and directly through a second AC coupling capacitor to the signal source, providing electro-magnetic coupling between the primary inductors, the secondary inductors, and the degeneration inductors;
- and
- providing a differential to single-ended conversion output.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium for use with a computer having software for creating integrated circuits, the computer-readable medium having stored thereon one or more computer-readable data structures having photomask data for making an apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
- a transconductance amplifier comprising:
- a first N-channel transistor having a source coupled through a first degeneration inductor to a negative power supply rail, and a gate coupled to one end of a first resistor and directly through a first AC coupling capacitor to a signal source;
- and
- a second N-channel transistor having a source coupled through a second degeneration inductor to the negative power supply rail, and a gate coupled to one end of a second resistor and directly through a second AC coupling capacitor to the signal source;
- and
- a feedback-balun-transformer having primary inductors and secondary inductors, the feedback-balun-transformer coupled to the transconductance amplifier and configured to:
- provide electro-magnetic coupling between the primary inductors, the secondary inductors, and the degeneration inductors;
- and
- provide differential to single-ended conversion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.