Abstract:
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a switch architecture for switching between a low power amplifier and a high power amplifier. One example amplification system includes a high power amplifier and a low power amplifier. The amplification system further includes a first switch coupled between the high power amplifier and an output. The amplification system further includes a second switch coupled between the output and a reference potential. The second switch is further coupled between the low power amplifier and the output and configured to selectively couple the low power amplifier to the output. The amplification system further includes a third switch coupled between the low power amplifier and the second switch.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for mixing signals with a multi-mode mixer for frequency translation. In example implementations, a multi-mode mixer includes a supply voltage node, a ground node, a first data signal coupler, and a second data signal coupler. The multi-mode mixer also includes a mixer core and a current control switch. The mixer core is coupled between the first data signal coupler and the second data signal coupler. The current control switch is configured to selectively enable or disable flow of a current through the mixer core. The first data signal coupler, the second data signal coupler, the mixer core, and the current control switch are coupled together in series between the supply voltage node and the ground node.
Abstract:
A bias circuit (126) is described for use in biasing an operational amplifier (110) to maintain a constant transconductance divided by load capacitance (i.e. a constant gm /C L ) despite temperature and process variations and despite body effects. The bias circuit (126) includes a pair of current source devices and a switched capacitor (SC) equivalent resistor circuit (136) for developing an equivalent resistance between the current source devices. By providing an SC equivalent resistor circuit clocked by non-overlapping fixed clock signals, the gm /C L of the bias circuit is maintained substantially constant. Hence, a fixed bandwidth is maintained within the operation amplifier being biased. When employed in connection with operational amplifiers of an SC circuit, the constant bandwidth enables the SC circuit to operate at a constant switching speed despite temp and process variation. Furthermore, by positioning the resistance equivalent circuit (136) between the current source devices of the bias circuit, voltage differentials between the sources are eliminated thereby removing any threshold voltage mismatch and thus compensating for body effect variations.
Abstract:
In some aspects, an apparatus includes a transformer including a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor. The apparatus also includes a power amplifier coupled to the first inductor, a first antenna coupled to a first terminal of the second inductor, a second antenna coupled to a second terminal of the second inductor, a first switch coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and a ground, a second switch coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and the ground, and a low-noise amplifier coupled to the third inductor.
Abstract:
A power amplifier bias circuit with embedded envelope detection includes a bias circuit stage coupled to an envelope detector circuit to increases a bias provided to a power amplifier as a function of an incoming envelope signal. The envelope detector circuit includes a first source/emitter follower transistor, a current source, and a filter to generate a baseband envelope signal. The current source is coupled to an output node of the first source/emitter follower transistor and the filter is also coupled to the output node of the first source/emitter follower transistor. The bias circuit stage includes one or more replica transistors that replicate transistors of the power amplifier or power amplifier core stage, an envelope detector replica transistor and a replica of the current source of the envelope detector circuit.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit operable to measure an impedance presented to a transmitter path of the integrated circuit and a method thereof are provided. The integrated circuit includes a directional coupler that has an input port, a through port, a coupled port, and an isolation port. The integrated circuit also includes a power amplifier coupled to the input port of the directional coupler, a power detector configured to measure output levels from the coupled port and the isolation port of the directional coupler, a reference signal generator coupled to the isolation port of the directional coupler, and a vector modulator configured to adjust a phase of a signal generated from the power amplifier.
Abstract:
A peak detector for a power amplifier is provided that includes a threshold voltage detector configured to pulse a detection current in response to an amplified output signal from the amplifier exceeding a peak threshold. A plurality of such peak detectors may be integrated with a corresponding plurality of power amplifiers in a transmitter. Should any peak detector assert an alarm signal or more than a threshold number of alarm signals during a given period, a controller reduces a gain for the plurality of power amplifiers.
Abstract:
An amplification circuit includes: an input stage including a driver; a transformer that includes a primary winding and a secondary winding, the primary winding being coupled to an output of the driver; and an output stage including: an output configured to be coupled to a load; and a plurality of paths coupled to the output and coupled to respective taps of the secondary winding; where at least one of the plurality of paths comprises a power amplifier.