Abstract: Embodiments described herein present a new LDO design that eliminates the need for the sleep bias circuitry included in other systems. Further, the new LDO design can be biased with a small fraction of the operating current enabling the LDO to wake up substantially faster than previous LDO designs that include separate sleep circuitry. In some cases, the LDO can instantly (or faster than other LDOs) transition from a sleep mode to an operating mode enabling improved operation compared to prior LDOs. Furthermore, the new LDO design maintains a non-breakdown voltage across the transistors reducing the need to enter sleep mode to prevent transistors of the LDO from entering a breakdown region.

Abstract: Devices and methods for switch body connections to achieve soft breakdown. In some embodiments, a field-effect transistor (FET) can include an assembly of source, gate, and drain implemented on an active region, a first body contact implemented at a first end of the assembly, and a second body contact implemented at a second end of the assembly. The second end can be distal from the first end along a width of the field-effect transistor.

Abstract: Devices for fabrication of shielded modules. In some embodiments, a carrier assembly can be provided for processing of packaged modules. The carrier assembly can include a plate having a first side that defines a plurality of openings, and an adhesive layer implemented on the first side of the plate. The adhesive layer can define a plurality of openings arranged to substantially match the openings of the plate, with each opening of the adhesive layer being dimensioned such that the adhesive layer is capable of providing an adhesive engagement between an underside perimeter portion of a package and a perimeter portion about the corresponding opening of the first side of the plate.

Abstract: Packaged modules for use in wireless devices are disclosed. A substrate supports integrated circuit die including at least a portion of a baseband system and a front end system, an oscillator assembly, and an antenna. The oscillator assembly includes an enclosure to enclose the oscillator and conductive pillars formed at least partially within a side of the enclosure to conduct signals between the top and bottom surfaces of the oscillator assembly. Components can be vertically integrated to save space and reduce trace length. Vertical integration provides an overhang volume that can include discrete components. Radio frequency shielding and ground planes within the substrate shield the front end system and antenna from radio frequency interference. Stacked filter assemblies include passive surface mount devices to filter radio frequency signals.

Abstract: Power amplifiers with adaptive bias for envelope tracking applications are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an envelope tracking system includes a power amplifier that amplifies a radio frequency (RF) signal and that receives power from a power amplifier supply voltage, and an envelope tracker that controls a voltage level of the power amplifier supply voltage based on an envelope of the RF signal. The power amplifier includes a current mirror having an input that receives a reference current, an output electrically connected to the power amplifier supply voltage, and a node that outputs a gate bias voltage. The power amplifier further includes a field-effect transistor that amplifies the radio frequency signal and a first depletion-mode transistor having a gate connected to the node of the current mirror and a source connected to a gate of the field-effect transistor.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device is disclosed. The acoustic wave device can include a piezoelectric layer positioned over a substrate. The acoustic wave device can also include an interdigital transducer electrode positioned over the piezoelectric layer. The acoustic wave device can also include a grounding structure positioned over the piezoelectric layer. The acoustic wave device can also include a conductive layer positioned between the piezoelectric layer and the substrate. The acoustic wave device can further include an electrical pathway that electrically connects the conductive layer to the grounding structure.

Abstract: Envelope tracking systems with modeling for power amplifier supply voltage filtering are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an envelope tracking system includes a supply voltage filter, a power amplifier that receives a power amplifier supply voltage through the supply voltage filter, and an envelope tracker that generates the power amplifier supply voltage. The power amplifier provides amplification to a radio frequency (RF) signal that is generated based on digital signal data, and the envelope tracker generates the power amplifier supply voltage based on an envelope signal corresponding to an envelope of the RF signal. The envelope tracking system further includes digital modeling circuitry that models the supply voltage filter and operates to digitally compensate the digital signal data for effects of the supply voltage filter, such as distortion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of materials having high thermal conductivity along with a high dielectric constants. In some embodiments, a two phase composite ceramic material can be formed having a contiguous aluminum oxide phase with a secondary phase embedded within the continuous phase. Example secondary phases include calcium titanate, strontium titanate, or titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A line card of a network box receives a SYNC input signal and generates a first time stamp based on receipt of the SYNC input signal. The line card generates a system clock signal in a phase-locked loop and generates a SYNC output signal by dividing the system clock signal in a divider circuit. The SYNC output signal is fed back to an input terminal as a SYNC feedback signal. A time stamp is generated based on receipt of the SYNC feedback signal. The line card determines a time between the SYNC input signal and the SYNC feedback signal based on the first time stamp and the second time stamp. The timing of the SYNC output signal is adjusted based on the time difference using a coarse time adjustment by adjusting a divide ratio of the divider circuit and using a fine time adjustment in the phase-locked loop based on a residue of a remainder of the time difference not accounted for by the coarse time adjustment.

Abstract: Radio frequency front-end systems with filter reuse. In certain embodiments, a front-end system includes a filter, a low noise amplifier (LNA), and a switch interposed between the filter and an input to the LNA. In a first state of the switch, the filter serves to filter a radio frequency signal that is amplified by the LNA. The front-end system further includes a power amplifier that is coupled to the switch. Additionally, in a second state of the switch, the filter serves to filter an amplified radio frequency transmit signal provided by the power amplifier. Accordingly, a filter along a receive path of the front-end system is reused for transmit.

Abstract: Cascode power amplifier bias circuits suitable for operating across multiple power supply domains are provided. In certain embodiments, a power amplifier system includes a cascode power amplifier and a multi-domain bias circuit that generates at least a first cascode bias voltage for the cascode power amplifier. The multi-domain bias circuit includes a coarse regulator that generates a regulated voltage based on a power supply voltage that is operable with multiple voltage levels associated with different power supply domains, a bandgap reference circuit that is powered by the regulated voltage and outputs a bandgap reference voltage, a bias voltage generator that generates multiple selectable bias voltages based on the bandgap reference voltage, and a bias voltage selector that chooses the first cascode bias voltage from amongst the selectable bias voltages.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to detecting power associated with an individual carrier of a carrier aggregated signal. In an embodiment, an aggregated carrier including at least a first carrier and a second carrier is provided. An indication of power of the first carrier of the aggregated carrier is detected. Separately from detecting the indication of power of the first carrier, an indication of power of the second carrier of the aggregated carrier is detected. The power associated with a radio frequency (RF) signal provided to an RF source associated with the first carrier can be adjusted based on the indication of power of the first carrier.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device is disclosed. The acoustic wave device can include a piezoelectric layer positioned over a substrate. The acoustic wave device can also include an interdigital transducer electrode positioned over the piezoelectric layer. The acoustic wave device can also include a grounding structure positioned over the piezoelectric layer. The acoustic wave device can also include a conductive layer positioned under the substrate such that the substrate is positioned between the conductive layer and the grounding structure. The acoustic wave device can further include an electrical pathway that electrically connects the conductive layer to the grounding structure.

Abstract: Circuits and methods related to radio-frequency (RF) architectures having carrier aggregation. In some implementations, a method for performing carrier aggregation (CA) can include providing a duplexer configured to provide duplexing functionality for a first frequency band and a second frequency band with a common antenna. The method can further include providing a first amplification path and a second amplification path coupled to respective ports of the duplexer, each of the first amplification path and the second amplification path configured to amplify a signal in its respective frequency band, each amplification path including a transmit/receive (TX/RX) switch configured to provide time-division duplexing (TDD) functionality for the amplified signal and a received signal. In some implementations, the first frequency band includes a B39 band, and the second frequency band includes a B41 band.

Abstract: Doherty power amplifiers with coupled line combiners are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a power amplifier system includes a carrier amplifier having a carrier output that provides a first radio frequency signal, a peaking amplifier having a peaking output that provides a second radio frequency signal, and a coupled line combiner including a first conductor line connected to the peaking output, a second conductor line electromagnetically coupled to the first conductor line, a third conductor line connected to the carrier output, and a fourth conductor line electromagnetically coupled to the third conductor line and in series with the second conductor line. The power amplifier system further includes an inductor in series with the fourth conductor line and the second conductor line and operable to provide a radio frequency output signal to an output terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for power detection with enhanced dynamic range are provided. In certain embodiments, a front end system includes a power amplifier that amplifies a radio frequency (RF) input signal to generate an RF output signal, a directional coupler that generates a sensed RF signal based on sensing the RF output signal from the power amplifier, and a power detector that processes the sensed RF signal to generate a detection signal indicating an output power of the power amplifier. Additionally, the power detector includes two or more detection paths providing different amounts of gain to the sensed RF signal from the directional coupler.

Abstract: A carrier aggregation method can include amplifying a first signal with a first current converter to generate a current representative of the amplified first signal, and amplifying a second signal with a second current converter to generate a current representative of the amplified second signal. The method can further include processing the amplified first signal and the amplified second signal with an adder circuit, with the first current converter and the adder circuit forming a first cascode amplifier, and the second current converter and the adder circuit forming a second cascode amplifier. The method can further include providing an output signal at a common output node that is coupled to an output of each of the first and second cascode amplifiers.

Abstract: Circuitry, modules and devices for integrating front-end carrier aggregation architecture, are disclosed. In some embodiments, a front-end architecture includes a switching assembly configured to provide switching for two or more frequency bands. In some embodiments, the switching assembly includes at least one coupler configured to couple a signal associated with the switching assembly. The front-end architecture can also include a diplexer circuit including a first filter configured to pass a first frequency band, a second filter configured to pass a second frequency band, and a first electrostatic discharge network configured to dissipate electrostatic energy associated with the first and second frequency bands from the front-end architecture.

Abstract: A line card receives a SYNC input signal and a first system clock signal. The line card generates a second system clock signal in a PLL and generates a SYNC output signal by dividing the second system clock signal in a divider circuit. The SYNC output signal is fed back as a SYNC feedback signal. The line card determines determining a closest edge of the first system clock signal to a transition of the SYNC input signal and determines a time difference between the closest edge of the first system clock signal and a transition of the SYNC feedback. The SYNC output signal is adjusted based on the time difference using a coarse adjustment by adjusting a divide ratio of the divider circuit and using a fine adjustment in the PLL based on a residue of a remainder of the time difference not accounted for by the coarse time adjustment.

Abstract: An end-fire antenna for wideband low form factor applications includes a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second metal layers. An open cavity formed in the dielectric layer that is filled with air, the cavity defined by a pair of sidewalls that extend from an aperture of the cavity to a rear wall of the cavity, where the depth of the aperture is defined between the aperture and the rear wall. The cavity is formed by selecting the width of the aperture of the cavity and the depth of the cavity such that the antenna achieves the same gain during operation irrespective of a variation in the thickness of the antenna.