Abstract: A transmit (TX) local oscillator (LO) leakage calibration circuit including a transceiver having a transmit portion and a receive portion, an interface circuit connected to the transmit portion and the receive portion, an impedance control circuit connected to a low noise amplifier (LNA) in the receive portion, the impedance control circuit configured to adjust an input impedance for the LNA, a power detector coupled to an output of the LNA, and a local oscillator cancellation element connected to the power detector, the local oscillator cancellation element configured to adjust an input to the transmit portion based on TX LO leakage detected by the power detector.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for reducing parasitic capacitance. In an example aspect, an apparatus includes an amplifier having a differential cascode configuration. Each stack of the amplifier includes a first transistor configured to operate as an input stage and a second transistor configured to operate as a cascode stage. The first and second transistors each include two channel terminal regions having a doping type that is uniform across the two channel terminal regions. Surfaces of first channel terminal regions of the first and second transistors abut a first and second quantity of electrical contacts, respectively. Second channel terminal regions of the first and second transistors form a floating region at a floating node. Each of the first quantity of electrical contacts and the second quantity of electrical contacts is greater than a third quantity of electrical contacts abutting a surface of the floating region.

Abstract: We disclose multiband receivers for millimeter-wave devices, which may have reduced size and/or reduced power consumption. One multiband receiver comprises a first band path comprising a first passive mixer configured to receive a first input RF signal having a first frequency and to be driven by a first local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the first frequency; a second band path comprising a second passive mixer configured to receive a second input RF signal having a second frequency and to be driven by a second local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the second frequency; and a base band path comprising a third passive mixer configured to receive intermediate RF signals during a duty cycle and to be driven by a third local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the first frequency or about ? the second frequency during the duty cycle.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a method is provided for measuring power using a resistive element coupled between a power amplifier and an antenna. The method includes squaring a voltage from a first terminal of the resistive element to obtain a first signal, squaring a voltage from a second terminal of the resistive element to obtain a second signal, and generating a measurement signal based on a difference between the first signal and the second signal. In some implementations, the resistive element is implemented with a power switch.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a method is provided for measuring power using a resistive element coupled between a power amplifier and an antenna. The method includes squaring a voltage from a first terminal of the resistive element to obtain a first signal, squaring a voltage from a second terminal of the resistive element to obtain a second signal, and generating a measurement signal based on a difference between the first signal and the second signal. In some implementations, the resistive element is implemented with a power switch.

Abstract: A transceiver interface for a phased array element includes a first magnetic circuit having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a second magnetic circuit having a primary coil, a secondary coil and a tertiary coil, a main amplifier path and an auxiliary amplifier path, the main amplifier path coupled to the primary coil of the second magnetic circuit and configured to receive a quadrature signal, the main amplifier path configured to provide a quadrature output signal, the auxiliary amplifier path coupled to the primary coil of the first magnetic circuit and configured to receive an in-phase signal, the auxiliary amplifier path configured to provide an in-phase output signal, a selectable output circuit configured to selectively combine the in-phase output signal and the quadrature output signal, and a low noise amplifier (LNA) coupled to the tertiary coil of the second magnetic circuit.

Abstract: In certain aspects, an apparatus includes a first amplifier having a first output and a second output, and a transformer. The transformer includes a first switchable inductor coupled between the first output and the second output, a first capacitor coupled in parallel with the first switchable inductor, a second switchable inductor magnetically coupled to the first switchable inductor, a second capacitor coupled in parallel with the second switchable inductor, a third switchable inductor magnetically coupled to the first switchable inductor, and a third capacitor coupled in parallel with the third switchable inductor.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a transceiver front-end configured for a reduced noise figure (NF). Each of the embodiments includes an antenna, a transmitter branch and a receiver branch all connected to an input/output pad. The transmitter branch is coupled to the input/output pad (and thereby the antenna) by an impedance transformer. Only the receiver branch is selectively electrically connected to the input/output pad (and thereby the antenna) by a switch. A common matching network between the input/output pad and the switch provides both impedance matching and electrostatic discharge protection for the switch and the low noise amplifier, thereby reducing NF. Specific embodiments are disclosed for integration into specific technologies (e.g., fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) technology and fin-type field effect transistor (finFET) technology).

Abstract: In some aspects, an apparatus includes a transformer including a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor. The apparatus also includes a power amplifier coupled to the first inductor, a first antenna coupled to a first terminal of the second inductor, a second antenna coupled to a second terminal of the second inductor, a first switch coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and a ground, a second switch coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and the ground, and a low-noise amplifier coupled to the third inductor.

Abstract: We disclose multiband receivers for millimeter-wave devices, which may have reduced size and/or reduced power consumption. One multiband receiver comprises a first band path comprising a first passive mixer configured to receive a first input RF signal having a first frequency and to be driven by a first local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the first frequency; a second band path comprising a second passive mixer configured to receive a second input RF signal having a second frequency and to be driven by a second local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the second frequency; and a base band path comprising a third passive mixer configured to receive intermediate RF signals during a duty cycle and to be driven by a third local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the first frequency or about ? the second frequency during the duty cycle.

Abstract: In some aspects, an apparatus includes a transformer including a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor. The apparatus also includes a power amplifier coupled to the first inductor, a first antenna coupled to a first terminal of the second inductor, a second antenna coupled to a second terminal of the second inductor, a first switch coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and a ground, a second switch coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and the ground, and a low-noise amplifier coupled to the third inductor.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a method is provided for measuring power using a resistive element coupled between a power amplifier and an antenna. The method includes squaring a voltage from a first terminal of the resistive element to obtain a first signal, squaring a voltage from a second terminal of the resistive element to obtain a second signal, and generating a measurement signal based on a difference between the first signal and the second signal. In some implementations, the resistive element is implemented with a power switch.

Abstract: We disclose multiband receivers for millimeter-wave devices, which may have reduced size and/or reduced power consumption. One multiband receiver comprises a first band path comprising a first passive mixer configured to receive a first input RF signal having a first frequency and to be driven by a first local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the first frequency; a second band path comprising a second passive mixer configured to receive a second input RF signal having a second frequency and to be driven by a second local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the second frequency; and a base band path comprising a third passive mixer configured to receive intermediate RF signals during a duty cycle and to be driven by a third local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the first frequency or about ? the second frequency during the duty cycle.

Abstract: Power combiners having increased output power, such as may be useful in millimeter-wave devices. The power combiner comprise at least two channels, wherein each channel comprises a phase alignment circuit, wherein the phase alignment circuit comprises a first differential input subcircuit comprising a first inverter and a second inverter, and a second differential input subcircuit comprising a third inverter and a fourth inverter, wherein the first inverter, the second inverter, the third inverter, and the fourth inverter each comprise a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor each having an adjustable back gate bias voltage. By adjusting the back gate bias voltage, the phases of the signal through each channel may be aligned, which may increase the output power of the power combiner. Methods of increasing output power of such power combiners. Systems for manufacturing devices comprising such power combiners.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a transceiver front-end configured for a reduced noise figure (NF). Each of the embodiments includes an antenna, a transmitter branch and a receiver branch all connected to an input/output pad. The transmitter branch is coupled to the input/output pad (and thereby the antenna) by an impedance transformer. Only the receiver branch is selectively electrically connected to the input/output pad (and thereby the antenna) by a switch. A common matching network between the input/output pad and the switch provides both impedance matching and electrostatic discharge protection for the switch and the low noise amplifier, thereby reducing NF. Specific embodiments are disclosed for integration into specific technologies (e.g., fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) technology and fin-type field effect transistor (finFET) technology).

Abstract: We disclose multiband receivers for millimeter-wave devices, which may have reduced size and/or reduced power consumption. One multiband receiver comprises a first band path comprising a first passive mixer configured to receive a first input RF signal having a first frequency and to be driven by a first local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the first frequency; a second band path comprising a second passive mixer configured to receive a second input RF signal having a second frequency and to be driven by a second local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the second frequency; and a base band path comprising a third passive mixer configured to receive intermediate RF signals during a duty cycle and to be driven by a third local oscillator signal having a frequency about ? the first frequency or about ? the second frequency during the duty cycle.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus including: a pair of signal injection transistors each having a gate terminal coupled to a differential reference signal, and a pair of cross-coupled amplifier transistors configured to amplify a voltage of the differential reference signal to yield a voltage-amplified reference signal at a local oscillator (LO) port of a mixer; an electronic oscillator having an oscillation output node coupled to the LO port of the mixer in parallel with the injection-locked buffer, and configured to generate an oscillator output for transmission to the output node based on a back gate bias voltage applied to the electronic oscillator; and an access transistor having a gate coupled to a switching node, and a back gate terminal coupled to the back gate bias voltage, wherein the access transistor is configured to enable or disable current flow through the electronic oscillator in parallel with the injection-locked buffer.

Abstract: A CMOS gain element is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are splitters, comprising the CMOS gain element, and local oscillator distribution circuitry comprising the splitters and the CMOS gain elements. Semiconductor devices comprising the local oscillator distribution circuitry may have smaller footprints and reduced power consumption relative to prior art devices.

Abstract: Power combiners having increased output power, such as may be useful in millimeter-wave devices. The power combiner comprise at least two channels, wherein each channel comprises a phase alignment circuit, wherein the phase alignment circuit comprises a first differential input subcircuit comprising a first inverter and a second inverter, and a second differential input subcircuit comprising a third inverter and a fourth inverter, wherein the first inverter, the second inverter, the third inverter, and the fourth inverter each comprise a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor each having an adjustable back gate bias voltage. By adjusting the back gate bias voltage, the phases of the signal through each channel may be aligned, which may increase the output power of the power combiner. Methods of increasing output power of such power combiners. Systems for manufacturing devices comprising such power combiners.

Abstract: In an exemplary structure, a transformer has a primary side and a secondary side. Output from the primary side is coupled to the secondary side. A first power supply is connected to a center tap of the primary side of the transformer. An oscillator includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The front-gate of the first transistor is connected to the drain of the second transistor and the primary side of the transformer. The front-gate of the second transistor is connected to the drain of the first transistor and the primary side of the transformer. A third transistor is connected to the first transistor and a fourth transistor is connected to the second transistor. The third and fourth transistors inject a desired frequency to the oscillator. A voltage source is connected to the back-gate of the first transistor and the back-gate of the second transistor.