Patents Examined by Patricia T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11742804
    Abstract: A switch controller for charge pump tracker circuitry is disclosed. The switch controller includes first monitoring circuitry configured to monitor a first voltage across a first flying capacitor during a first discharging phase. A second monitoring circuitry is configured to monitor a second voltage across a second flying capacitor during a second discharging phase. Further included is boost logic circuitry in communication with the first monitoring circuitry and the second monitoring circuitry, wherein the boost logic circuitry is configured in response to control a first switch network coupled to the first flying capacitor and a second switch network coupled to the second flying capacitor so that the first discharging phase and the second discharging phase alternate in an interleaved mode, and so that the first discharging phase and the second discharging phase are in phase during a parallel boost mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Michael J. Murphy
  • Patent number: 11736067
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and an amplifier assembly implementing the semiconductor device are disclosed. The semiconductor device, which is a type of Doherty amplifier, includes first transistor elements for a carrier amplifier of the Doherty amplifier and second transistor elements for a peak amplifier. A feature of the Doherty amplifier is that the first transistor elements and the second transistor elements are disposed alternatively on a common semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Tanomura
  • Patent number: 11736078
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for amplifying an input signal. One example apparatus is a differential amplifier that includes a positive input node, a negative input node, a positive output node, a negative output node, a positive input transistor having a gate coupled to the positive input node and having a drain coupled to the negative output node, a negative input transistor having a gate coupled to the negative input node and having a drain coupled to the positive output node, a first common-gate amplifier having an output coupled to the negative output node, a second common-gate amplifier having an output coupled to the positive output node, a first capacitive element coupled between the negative input node and an input of the first common-gate amplifier, and a second capacitive element coupled between the positive input node and an input of the second common-gate amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Joung Won Park, Wei Zhuo, Li-chung Chang
  • Patent number: 11728775
    Abstract: Envelope tracking systems for power amplifiers are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an envelope tracker system includes a first power amplifier that amplifies a first radio frequency (RF) signal and receives power from a first supply voltage, a second power amplifier that amplifies a second RF signal and receives power from a second supply voltage, and an envelope tracker including a first modulator that generates a first output current based on an envelope of the first RF signal and a plurality of regulated voltages, a second modulator that generates a second output current based on an envelope of the second RF signal and the regulated voltages, a first combiner that combines a first DC voltage with the first output current to generate the first supply voltage, and a second combiner that combines a second DC voltage with the second output current to generate the second supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Serge Francois Drogi, Florinel G. Balteanu, David Richard Pehlke
  • Patent number: 11711057
    Abstract: Circuits, devices and methods related to antenna tuner. In some embodiments, an antenna can be tuned by amplifying a signal for transmission by operating a transistor with a base current, and monitoring the base current. The method can further include adjusting an antenna tuner to thereby adjust an antenna load impedance presented to the amplified signal, with the adjustment being based on a variation of the monitored base current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip John Lehtola
  • Patent number: 11705876
    Abstract: Envelope tracking systems for power amplifiers are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an envelope tracker is provided for a power amplifier that amplifies an RF signal. The envelope tracker includes an error amplifier that controls a voltage level of a power amplifier supply voltage of the power amplifier based on amplifying a difference between a reference signal and an envelope signal indicating an envelope of the RF signal. The envelope tracker further includes a multi-level switching circuit that generates an error amplifier supply voltage based on sensing a current of the error amplifier, and uses the error amplifier supply voltage to power the error amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Serge Francois Drogi, Florinel G. Balteanu, David Richard Pehlke
  • Patent number: 11705867
    Abstract: One example includes a device that is comprised of a pre-power amplifier, a power amplifier, a signal path, and a dynamic bias circuit. The pre-power amplifier amplifies an input signal and outputs a first amplified signal. The power amplifier receives the first amplified signal and amplifies the first amplified signal based on a dynamic bias signal to produce a second amplified signal at an output thereof. The signal path is coupled between an output of the pre-power amplifier and an input of the power amplifier. The dynamic bias circuit monitors the first amplified signal, generates the dynamic bias signal, and outputs the dynamic bias into the signal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Debapriya Sahu, Rohit Chatterjee
  • Patent number: 11699981
    Abstract: An improved method of providing high burst power to audio amplifiers from limited power sources, using parallel power paths to increase system efficiency without need for a power path controller, thus utilizing a simplified circuit operation and maximizing average power available for both the amplifier and supporting circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David F. Baretich, Simon J. Broadley
  • Patent number: 11695373
    Abstract: One example includes a differential amplifier, a voltage weighting element, coupled to a voltage source which provides an input voltage, to provide a reference voltage with a constant power limit when the input voltage varies, an error amplifier configured to receive and compare the reference voltage provided from the voltage weighting element and a feedback sensed voltage provided from the differential amplifier to identify whether the sensed voltage exceeds the reference voltage, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller, coupled to a power transformer and the error amplifier, that reduces a transformer input current provided to the power transformer based on the comparison of the reference voltage from the voltage weighting element and the feedback sensed voltage from the differential amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David F. Baretich, Simon J. Broadley
  • Patent number: 11689168
    Abstract: A trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) may include an input stage and an output driving stage. The input stage may include a pair of input PMOS transistors, a pair of input NMOS transistors, and a pair of differential voltage input nodes. The output driving stage may include a pair of output circuits, each may include a first pair of PMOS and NMOS transistors electrically connected in parallel, a second pair of PMOS and NMOS transistors electrically connected in series, a pair of capacitors electrically connected in series, a differential output node, a third PMOS transistor, and a fourth pair of NMOS transistors cross-coupled between the pair of output circuits of the output driving stage. The structure can lead to a reduced noise level and a reduced peak transient current level of the TIA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Beken Corporation
    Inventors: Haiyan Zhou, Ronghui Kong, Jiazhou Liu
  • Patent number: 11689162
    Abstract: A wide band matching network for power amplifier impedance matching, the wide band matching network comprising: a power amplifier transistor connected to an output network; the output network including: a series capacitor; an on-chip transformer connected to the capacitor in series, wherein the transformer and the capacitor act as a second order filter; and a port connected to the capacitor and a receiver switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Chun Kuo, Siu-Chuang Ivan Lu, Sang Won Son, Xiaohua Yu
  • Patent number: 11683012
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a radio-frequency (RF) circuit, which includes a power amplifier coupled to receive an RF input signal and to provide an RF output signal in response to a modified bias signal. The RF circuit further includes a bias path circuit coupled to modify a bias signal as a function of a characteristic of an input signal to generate the modified bias signal. The bias path circuit provides the modified bias signal to the power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Luigi Panseri, Mustafa H. Koroglu, Praveen Vangala, John M. Khoury
  • Patent number: 11683011
    Abstract: A switching system is connected to the power amplifier of an RF system. The switching system can switch the DC supply voltage to the power amplifier while handling the high DC current and the nanosecond switching speed requirements that are mandatory for most RF systems. The embodiments can rapidly control DC voltages but not interfere with the optimized operation of the RF transistor. The embodiments provide a desired sharp turn-on leading edge for an RF pulse while eliminating the extremely long and undesirable ramp down that typically occurs beyond the desired RF pulse period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Weather Detection Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Smeltzer
  • Patent number: 11677431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a radio frequency assembly comprising a radio frequency circuit comprising at least one group of N?2 amplifiers (A1, A2) disposed in series on a substrate (1), said assembly comprising a package (2) wherein the substrate (1) is disposed, each amplifier comprising a local grounding point (b1, b2, b3) and a local feed point (a1, a2, a3), said common grounding points being connected to a common ground (GND) outside the package (2), said common feed points being connected to a common power supply (VDD) outside the package, said assembly comprising at least N?1 parallel LC circuits disposed between the common power supply (VDD) and the local feed point (a2, a3) of an amplifier (A2) so as to attenuate the current loops between two amplifiers in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventor: Jocelyn Roux
  • Patent number: 11677371
    Abstract: Offset compensation circuitry for an amplification circuit. One example embodiment is a method of compensating a primary operational amplifier including: creating, by way of a companion circuit, a square wave having an amplitude, a period, and a direct current bias (DC bias), the amplitude proportional to an offset of the primary operational amplifier; integrating, by the companion circuit, the amplitude of the square wave for less than the period of the square wave, the integrating creates a compensation signal; and applying the compensation signal to the primary operational amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Anna Joseph Eggermont
  • Patent number: 11677366
    Abstract: A power amplifier system includes: a base substrate; a driver stage configured to receive and amplify an RF input signal, wherein the driver stage is disposed within the base substrate and is implemented in a first substrate; and a power stage configured to receive the RF input signal amplified by the driver stage and amplify the RF input signal amplified by the driver stage, wherein the power stage is disposed outside the base substrate and is implemented in a second substrate independent from the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Geunyong Lee, Suyeon Han, Seungchul Pyo, Jaehyouck Choi, Youngsik Hur, Yoosam Na
  • Patent number: 11677364
    Abstract: Example embodiments provide a device that includes a power transformer with a first output voltage terminal providing a first voltage and a second output voltage terminal providing a second voltage, a voltage regulator coupled to one or more of the first output voltage terminal and the second output voltage terminal, and a power storage element that stores power supplied by the second output voltage, and the first output voltage terminal supplies power to a remote entity until a load power requirement of the remote entity exceeds a threshold power level at which time the power storage element is used to provide power from the second output voltage terminal to the remote entity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLC
    Inventors: David F. Baretich, Simon J. Broadley
  • Patent number: 11677370
    Abstract: A circuit (e.g., implemented as part of a controller area network (CAN) bus receiver includes a pre-amplifier stage having first and second outputs. The circuit also includes a comparator having first and second inputs. The first input is coupled to the first output of the pre-amplifier stage, and the second input is coupled to the second output of the pre-amplifier stage. The comparator includes an input differential transistor pair, a second pair of transistors coupled to the input differential transistor pair in a cascode configuration, and a push-pull output stage coupled to the second pair of transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Richard Sterling Broughton, Vijayalakshmi Devarajan, Richard Edwin Hubbard
  • Patent number: 11677361
    Abstract: The invention provides a radio frequency (RF) amplifier apparatus including an amplifier and a resonance circuit. An input terminal of the amplifier receives an RF signal. The amplifier amplifies a first frequency component of the RF signal and outputs the amplified first frequency component to an output terminal of the amplifier. A first terminal and a second terminal of the resonance circuit are respectively coupled to the input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier. The resonance circuit provides a low impedance path for a second frequency component of the RF signal between the input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier, and provides a high impedance path for the first frequency component of the RF signal between the input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: RichWave Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Chen, Ching Wen Hsu
  • Patent number: 11671058
    Abstract: Various methods and circuital arrangements for biasing one or more gates of stacked transistors of an amplifier are possible where the amplifier is configured to operate in at least an active mode and a standby mode. Circuital arrangements can reduce bias circuit standby current during operation in the standby mode while allowing a quick recovery to normal operating conditions of the amplifier. Biasing an input transistor of the stacked transistors can be obtained by using a replica stack circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventors: Poojan Wagh, Kashish Pal