Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a low cost, compact size, and thin half-etched leadframe quad-flat no-leads (QFN) package that integrates RF passive elements in the QFN leadframe for linearized PA design and RF FEMs. The integrated RF passive elements in the QFN leadframe may include RF inductors (e.g., meanders lines or spirals) for amplifier bias or RF matching, extension bar of the ground paddle for inter-stage matching or jumper pads for connection. The integrated RF passive elements may also include transmission lines for output power matching, coupled line structures such as RF couplers, RF divider or combiner realized using transmission lines with proper impedance and length, jumper pads for adjusting the bond wire length, etc. The RF parameters of the integrated passive elements are adjustable using different length and number of wire bond for fine tuning the performance of the PAM or the RF FEM.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for a low cost, compact size, and thin half-etched leadframe quad-flat no-leads (QFN) package that integrates RF passive elements in the QFN leadframe for linearized PA design and RF FEMs. The integrated RF passive elements in the QFN leadframe may include RF inductors (e.g., meanders lines or spirals) for amplifier bias or RF matching, extension bar of the ground paddle for inter-stage matching or jumper pads for connection. The integrated RF passive elements may also include transmission lines for output power matching, coupled line structures such as RF couplers, RF divider or combiner realized using transmission lines with proper impedance and length, jumper pads for adjusting the bond wire length, etc. The RF parameters of the integrated passive elements are adjustable using different length and number of wire bond for fine tuning the performance of the PAM or the RF FEM.

Abstract: An improved regulator circuit, temperature compensation bias circuit, and amplifier circuit are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved regulator circuit, temperature compensation bias circuit, and amplifier circuit are disclosed.

Abstract: A power amplifier subsystem that includes a first stage amplifier and a second stage amplifier. A first bias circuit is coupled to the first stage amplifier, and the first bias circuit has a variable impedance that increases with radio frequency (RF) power. A second bias circuit is coupled to the second stage amplifier, and the second bias circuit has impedance relatively fixed with respect to radio frequency (RF) power. According to an embodiment of the invention, the first bias circuit comprises a transistor having a collector current that increases as radio frequency (RF) power increases. The second bias circuit can have a relatively fixed impedance. A method of designing an amplifier subsystem, where transistor size and resistor values are selected to obtain the desired bias and linearity characteristics, or transistor size and resistor values are selected to operate within a selected range, and amplifier performance is adjusted by changing the bias control voltage.

Abstract: A power amplifier subsystem that includes a first stage amplifier and a second stage amplifier. A first bias circuit is coupled to the first stage amplifier, and the first bias circuit has a variable impedance that increases with radio frequency (RF) power. A second bias circuit is coupled to the second stage amplifier, and the second bias circuit has impedance relatively fixed with respect to radio frequency (RF) power. According to an embodiment of the invention, the first bias circuit comprises a transistor having a collector current that increases as radio frequency (RF) power increases. The second bias circuit can have a relatively fixed impedance. A method of designing an amplifier subsystem, where transistor size and resistor values are selected to obtain the desired bias and linearity characteristics, or transistor size and resistor values are selected to operate within a selected range, and amplifier performance is adjusted by changing the bias control voltage.

Abstract: A linearized channel amplifier comprising a linear channel amplifier circuit 20 and a nonlinear linearizer circuit located immediately before a high power amplifier. A common control circuit controls the linear channel amplifier circuit and the nonlinear linearizer circuit. The linearized channel amplifier functions as a driver amplifier and improves the linearity and efficiency performance of the high power amplifier across a desired frequency bandwidth. The linearized channel amplifier employs low cost temperature compensation circuits in an interface circuit and a temperature compensation network circuit, and uses a novel methodology to provide for command and control functions that includes a measurement, analytical calculation and setting process. An external personality plug may be to set the performance of the channel amplifier and linearizer.

Abstract: A pre-distortion type linearizer circuit for use in linearizing the performance of power amplifiers such as traveling wave tube and solid state power amplifiers. The linearizer circuit comprises linearizer bridge that includes a phase shifter and a fixed delay in a linear arm, and a distortion generator and an attenuator in a nonlinear arm. The output of the linearizer bridge is coupled through an output amplifier and an output attenuator. The RF output signal from the linearizer circuit is coupled to the power amplifier. A control circuit receives on and off input command signals, and outputs a bilevel telemetry signal that is used as a mode indicator for ground command control. The control circuit adjusts settings of the linearizer bridge, and adjusts gain and attenuation settings of the output amplifier and output attenuator. All circuits of the linearizer circuit may be integrated onto a single alumina substrate, for example.

Abstract: A Ku-band integrated pre-distortion type linearizer bridge circuit for use in linearizing the performance of a traveling wave tube amplifier. The linearizer bridge circuit comprises linearizer bridge that embodies a phase shifter and a fixed delay in a linear arm, and a Schottky diode distortion generator and a PIN diode attenuator in a nonlinear arm. The output of the linearizer bridge is coupled through an output amplifier and an output attenuator. The RF output signal from the linearizer bridge circuit is coupled to the traveling wave tube amplifier. A control circuit is coupled to the phase shifter, the nonlinear Schottky diode distortion generator circuit, and the PIN diode attenuator, and receives on and off input command signals, and outputs a bilevel telemetry signal that is used as a mode indicator for ground command control.