Abstract: A receiver front end amplifier capable of receiving and processing intraband non-contiguous carrier aggregate (CA) signals using multiple low noise amplifiers (LNAs) is disclosed herein. A cascode having a “common source” configured input FET and a “common gate” configured output FET can be turned on or off using the gate of the output FET. A first switch is provided that allows a connection to be either established or broken between the source terminal of the input FET of each LNA. Further switches used for switching degeneration inductors, gate capacitors, and gate to ground capacitors for each leg can be used to further improve the matching performance of the invention.

Abstract: An LNA having a plurality of paths, each of which can be controlled independently to achieve a gain mode. Each path includes at least an input FET and an output FET coupled in series. A gate of the output FET is controlled to set the gain of the LNA. Signals to be amplified are applied to the gate of the input FET. Additional stacked FETs are provided in series between the input FET and the output FET.

Abstract: A front end module (FEM) integrated circuit (IC) architecture that uses the same LNA in each of several frequency bands extending over a wide frequency range. In some embodiments, switched impedance circuits distributed throughout the front end circuit allow selection of the frequency response and impedances that are optimized for particular performance parameters targeted for a desired device characteristic. Such switched impedance circuits tune the output and input impedance match and adjust the gain of the LNA for specific operating frequencies and gain targets. In addition, adjustments to the bias of the LNA can be used to optimize performance trade-offs between the total direct current (DC) power dissipated versus radio frequency (RF) performance. By selecting appropriate impedances throughout the circuit using switched impedance circuits, the LNA can be selectively tuned to operate optimally at a selected bias for operation within selected frequency bands.

Abstract: A receiver front end capable of receiving and processing intraband non-contiguous carrier aggregate (CA) signals using multiple low noise amplifiers (LNAs) is disclosed herein. A cascode having a “common source” configured input FET and a “common gate” configured output FET can be turned on or off using the gate of the output FET. A first switch is provided that allows a connection to be either established or broken between the source terminal of the input FET of each LNA. Further switches used for switching degeneration inductors, gate capacitors and gate to ground caps for each legs can be used to further improve the matching performance of the invention.

Abstract: A receiver front end (300) having low noise amplifiers (LNAs) is disclosed herein. A cascode having a “common source” configured input FET and a “common gate” configured output FET can be turned on or off using the gate of the output FET. A first switch (235) is provided that allows a connection to be either established or broken between the source terminal of the input FET of each LNA. A drain switch (260) is provided between the drain terminals of input FETs to place the input FETs in parallel. This increases the gm of the input stage of the amplifier, thus improving the noise figure of the amplifier.

Abstract: Methods and devices addressing design of reconfigurable wideband LNAs to meet stringent gain, noise figure, and linearity requirements with multiple gain modes are disclosed. The disclosed teachings can be used to reconfigure RF receiver front-end to operate in various applications imposing stringent and conflicting requirements, such as 5G NR radios. Wideband and narrowband input and output matching with gain modes using a combination of the same hardware and a switching network are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various methods and circuital arrangements for reducing a turn ON time of a cascode amplifier are presented. According to one aspect, a configurable switching arrangement coupled to a cascode transistor of the amplifier shorts a gate of the cascode transistor to a reference ground during an inactive mode of operation of the amplifier. During an active mode of operation of the amplifier, the configurable switching arrangement couples a gate capacitor to the gate of the cascode transistor that is pre-charged to a voltage that is higher than a gate biasing voltage to the cascode transistor, which ensures that cascode transistor turns ON much quicker than the traditional method of grounding the cap, hence provide a final current flow through the cascode amplifier in a shorter time by not limiting the turn ON time of the input transistor. The gate biasing voltage is coupled to the gate capacitor via a resistor.

Abstract: A receiver topology for supporting various combinations of interband carrier aggregation (CA) signals, intraband non-contiguous CA and non-CA signals having different combinations of signals aggregated therein.

Abstract: A front end module (FEM) integrated circuit (IC) architecture that uses the same LNA in each of several frequency bands extending over a wide frequency range. In some embodiments, switched impedance circuits distributed throughout the front end circuit allow selection of the frequency response and impedances that are optimized for particular performance parameters targeted for a desired device characteristic. Such switched impedance circuits tune the output and input impedance match and adjust the gain of the LNA for specific operating frequencies and gain targets. In addition, adjustments to the bias of the LNA can be used to optimize performance trade-offs between the total direct current (DC) power dissipated versus radio frequency (RF) performance. By selecting appropriate impedances throughout the circuit using switched impedance circuits, the LNA can be selectively tuned to operate optimally at a selected bias for operation within selected frequency bands.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit configuration capable of processing non-contiguous intra-band carrier aggregate (CA) signals using amplifiers is disclosed herein. In some cases, each of a plurality of amplifiers is an amplifier configured as a cascode (i.e., a two-stage amplifier having two transistors, the first configured as a “common source” input transistor, e.g., input field effect transistor (FET), and the second configured in a “common gate” configuration as a cascode output transistor, (e.g. cascode output FET). In other embodiments, the amplifier may have additional transistors (i.e., more than two stages and/or stacked transistors). The amplifier circuit configuration can be operated in either single mode or split mode. A switchable coupling is placed between the drain of the input FETs of each amplifier within the amplifier circuit configuration.

Abstract: An LNA having a plurality of paths, each of which can be controlled independently to achieve a gain mode. Each path includes at least an input FET and an output FET coupled in series. A gate of the output FET is controlled to set the gain of the LNA. Signals to be amplified are applied to the gate of the input FET. Additional stacked FETs are provided in series between the input FET and the output FET.

Abstract: A flexible multi-path RF adaptive tuning network switch architecture that counteracts impedance mismatch conditions arising from various combinations of coupled RF band filters, particularly in a Carrier Aggregation-based (CA) radio system. In one version, a digitally-controlled tunable matching network is coupled to a multi-path RF switch in order to provide adaptive impedance matching for various combinations of RF band filters. Optionally, some or all RF band filters include an associated digitally-controlled filter pre-match network to further improve impedance matching. In a second version, some or all RF band filters coupled to a multi-path RF switch include a digitally-controlled phase matching network to provide necessary per-band impedance matching. Optionally, a digitally-controlled tunable matching network may be included on the common port of the multi-path RF switch to provide additional impedance matching capability.

Abstract: A receiver topology for supporting various combinations of interband carrier aggregation (CA) signals, intraband non-contiguous CA and non-CA signals having different combinations of signals aggregated therein.

Abstract: A receiver topology for supporting various combinations of interband carrier aggregation (CA) signals, intraband non-contiguous CA and non-CA signals having different combinations of signals aggregated therein.

Abstract: Methods and devices addressing design of reconfigurable wideband LNAs to meet stringent gain, noise figure, and linearity requirements with multiple gain modes are disclosed. The disclosed teachings can be used to reconfigure RF receiver front-end to operate in various applications imposing stringent and conflicting requirements, such as 5G NR radios. Wideband and narrowband input and output matching with gain modes using a combination of the same hardware and a switching network are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices addressing design of wideband LNAs with gain modes are disclosed. The disclosed teachings can be used to reconfigure RF receiver front-end to operate in various applications imposing stringent and conflicting requirements. Wideband and narrowband input and output matching with gain modes using a combination of the same hardware and a switching network are also disclosed. The described methods and devices also address carrier aggregation requirements and provide solutions that can be used both in single-mode and split-mode operations.

Abstract: A flexible multi-path RF adaptive tuning network switch architecture that counteracts impedance mismatch conditions arising from various combinations of coupled RF band filters, particularly in a Carrier Aggregation-based (CA) radio system. In one version, a digitally-controlled tunable matching network is coupled to a multi-path RF switch in order to provide adaptive impedance matching for various combinations of RF band filters. Optionally, some or all RF band filters include an associated digitally-controlled filter pre-match network to further improve impedance matching. In a second version, some or all RF band filters coupled to a multi-path RF switch include a digitally-controlled phase matching network to provide necessary per-band impedance matching. Optionally, a digitally-controlled tunable matching network may be included on the common port of the multi-path RF switch to provide additional impedance matching capability.

Abstract: Methods and devices addressing design of wideband LNAs with gain modes are disclosed. The disclosed teachings can be used to reconfigure RF receiver front-end to operate in various applications imposing stringent and conflicting requirements. Wideband and narrowband input and output matching with gain modes using a combination of the same hardware and a switching network are also disclosed. The described methods and devices also address carrier aggregation requirements and provide solutions that can be used both in single-mode and split-mode operations.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit configuration capable of processing non-contiguous intra-band carrier aggregate (CA) signals using amplifiers is disclosed herein. In some cases, each of a plurality of amplifiers is an amplifier configured as a cascode (i.e., a two-stage amplifier having two transistors, the first configured as a “common source” input transistor, e.g., input field effect transistor (FET), and the second configured in a “common gate” configuration as a cascode output transistor, (e.g. cascode output FET). In other embodiments, the amplifier may have additional transistors (i.e., more than two stages and/or stacked transistors). The amplifier circuit configuration can be operated in either single mode or split mode. A switchable coupling is placed between the drain of the input FETs of each amplifier within the amplifier circuit configuration.

Abstract: An LNA having a plurality of paths, each of which can be controlled independently to achieve a gain mode. Each path includes at least an input FET and an output FET coupled in series. A gate of the output FET is controlled to set the gain of the LNA. Signals to be amplified are applied to the gate of the input FET. Additional stacked FETs are provided in series between the input FET and the output FET.