Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140111252 | THRESHOLD TRACKING BIAS VOLTAGE FOR MIXERS - Bias voltage generators that can generate variable bias voltages for transistors in mixers and other circuits are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus (e.g., a wireless device or an integrated circuit (IC)) includes at least one transistor and a bias voltage generator. The transistor(s) have a threshold voltage and receive a bias voltage. The bias voltage generator generates the bias voltage based on changes to the threshold voltage of the transistor(s), e.g., due to IC process and/or temperature. In an exemplary design, the bias voltage generator includes a replica transistor that tracks the transistor(s) and an op-amp that provides a gate voltage for the replica transistor. The bias voltage is generated based on the gate voltage. The bias voltage generator may generate the bias voltage (i) to track the threshold voltage of the transistor(s) in a first mode or (ii) based on a fixed voltage in a second mode. | 04-24-2014 |
20140113573 | AMPLIFIERS WITH SHUNT SWITCHES - Amplifiers with shunt switches to mitigate interference are disclosed. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes an amplifier and a shunt switch. The amplifier has an input operatively coupled to an input/output (I/O) pad of an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The shunt switch grounds the amplifier when the shunt switch is closed. The shunt switch is isolated from the I/O pad and the amplifier input. The amplifier may be a low noise amplifier (LNA) or some other type of amplifier. In an exemplary design, the shunt switch is isolated from the I/O pad by a series switch. The series switch and the shunt switch may be closed when the amplifier is disabled and may be opened when the amplifier is enabled. | 04-24-2014 |
20140139042 | PORT ISOLATION IN SHARED TRANSFORMERS - Techniques for improving performance of a transformer shared amongst a plurality of operating modes. In an aspect, first and second primary windings of a transformer are coupled to an AC ground voltage. Primary windings are mutually coupled to a secondary winding of the transformer. To render the second primary winding inactive, e.g., when operating in a first mode, a switch coupling the second primary winding to the common reference voltage is opened. Similarly, when it is desired to render the first primary winding inactive, e.g., when operating in a second mode, a switch coupling the first primary winding to the common reference voltage is opened. In this manner, the inactive primary winding advantageously does not load the secondary winding. Further aspects provide for, e.g., extending the techniques to more than two modes, and alternative techniques to mutually couple the signal from the primary to the secondary winding. | 05-22-2014 |
20140167862 | ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION OF AMPLIFIER CASCODE DEVICES - Exemplary embodiments are directed to providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of a cascode device of an amplifier. In an exemplary embodiment, a transistor is configured to receive a bias voltage and at least one circuit element coupled to the transistor and configured to receive an input voltage via an input pad. Additionally at least one diode can be coupled to a drain of the first transistor and configured to limit a voltage potential at an internal node of the amplifier caused by the input pad. | 06-19-2014 |
20140268446 | RADIO FREQUENCY INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (RFIC) CHARGED-DEVICE MODEL (CDM) PROTECTION - An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes an input device. The apparatus also includes a positive supply voltage pad. The apparatus further includes an input signal pad. The apparatus also includes a ground pad. The apparatus further includes charged-device model protection circuitry that protects the input device from electrostatic discharge. The charged-device model protection circuitry includes at least one of de-Q circuitry and a cascode device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268447 | RADIO FREQUENCY INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (RFIC) CHARGED-DEVICE MODEL (CDM) PROTECTION - An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes an input device. The apparatus also includes a positive supply voltage pad. The apparatus further includes an input signal pad. The apparatus also includes a ground pad. The apparatus further includes charged-device model protection circuitry that protects the input device from electrostatic discharge. The charged-device model protection circuitry includes at least one of de-Q circuitry and a cascode device. | 09-18-2014 |
20150214985 | Tunable Radio Frequency (RF) Front-End Architecture Using Filter Having Adjustable Inductance And Capacitance - A device includes an adjustable capacitance and a switchable inductance coupled to the adjustable capacitance and configured as a tunable resonant circuit, the switchable inductance comprising a tapped structure having a first inductance and a second inductance. | 07-30-2015 |
20150358041 | CALIBRATION AND TUNING FOR A TUNABLE FILTER HAVING ADJUSTABLE INDUCTANCE AND CAPACITANCE - A device includes a tunable filter having an adjustable inductance and an adjustable capacitance, the tunable filter having a first tuning input responsive to a first control signal related to filter frequency band information, and a second tuning input responsive to a second control signal related to a jammer signal. | 12-10-2015 |