Abstract: A wideband distributed mixer capable of operation over a wide range of frequencies is provided. The mixer can include a plurality of N mixer stages and monolithic transmission lines integrated together on a common semiconductor substrate. The length of each transmission line between adjacent stages can be predetermined such that an IF signal output from each stage is in-phase with the IF signal output from any preceding stage, allowing the mixer to output a mixed IF signal that is a constructive sum of the IF output signals from each constituent stage. The number of mixer stages as well as the design architectures and topologies for each stage can be varied according to the needs of the application.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver includes a local oscillator generator (LOGEN) circuit configured to receive an adaptive supply voltage. The LOGEN circuit is coupled to a variable power supply for providing the adaptive supply voltage. A process monitor for the LOGEN circuit is in communication with the variable power supply through a power supply programming module. As a result, the adaptive supply voltage can be adjusted according to data supplied by the process monitor. A method for adaptively powering a LOGEN circuit comprises providing power to an RF device, monitoring a process corner of said LOGEN circuit, determining a supply voltage corresponding to the process corner, and adjusting the supply voltage to adaptively power the LOGEN circuit.

Abstract: An operational amplifier is provided. The operational amplifier includes a first transistor configured to receive a first input voltage, a second transistor configured to receive a second input voltage, and a current steering module coupled to first and second transistors and configured to receive a reference voltage. The first and second transistors form a differential pair. The first transistor, second transistor, and current steering module are configured such that a current is steered from the current steering module or to the current steering module based on common-mode voltages of the first and second input voltages and the reference voltage to set a common-mode output voltage of the operational amplifier.

Abstract: An operational amplifier is provided. The operational amplifier includes a first transistor configured to receive a first input voltage, a second transistor configured to receive a second input voltage, and a current steering module coupled to first and second transistors and configured to receive a reference voltage. The first and second transistors form a differential pair. The first transistor, second transistor, and current steering module are configured such that a current is steered from the current steering module or to the current steering module based on common-mode voltages of the first and second input voltages and the reference voltage to set a common-mode output voltage of the operational amplifier.

Abstract: Provided herein is a non-uniform multi-stage distributed circuit capable of operation with an improved gain-bandwidth product. The circuit can include an input port, an output port and a transmission line coupled therebetween. Two or more amplifier stages can be coupled successively to the transmission line. Each amplifier stage can include a transistor having a transistor parameter, which can be scaled to be less than the transistor parameter of any preceding amplifier stage. The inductance of each portion of the transmission line between adjacent stages can also be scaled to be less than the inductance of the portion of the transmission line between any preceding amplifier stages. The inductance can be scaled in addition to or instead of the transistor parameter.

Abstract: Provided herein is a non-uniform multi-stage distributed circuit capable of operation with an improved gain-bandwidth product. The circuit can include an input port, an output port and a transmission line coupled therebetween. Two or more amplifier stages can be coupled successively to the transmission line. Each amplifier stage can include a transistor having a transistor parameter, which can be scaled to be less than the transistor parameter of any preceding amplifier stage. The inductance of each portion of the transmission line between adjacent stages can also be scaled to be less than the inductance of the portion of the transmission line between any preceding amplifier stages. The inductance can be scaled in addition to or instead of the transistor parameter.

Abstract: Provided herein is a non-uniform multi-stage distributed circuit capable of operation with an improved gain-bandwidth product. The circuit can include an input port, an output port and a transmission line coupled therebetween. Two or more amplifier stages can be coupled successively to the transmission line. Each amplifier stage can include a transistor having a transistor parameter, which can be scaled to be less than the transistor parameter of any preceding amplifier stage. The inductance of each portion of the transmission line between adjacent stages can also be scaled to be less than the inductance of the portion of the transmission line between any preceding amplifier stages. The inductance can be scaled in addition to or instead of the transistor parameter.

Abstract: Provided herein is a non-uniform multi-stage distributed circuit capable of operation with an improved gain-bandwidth product. The circuit can include an input port, an output port and a transmission line coupled therebetween. Two or more amplifier stages can be coupled successively to the transmission line. Each amplifier stage can include a transistor having a transistor parameter, which can be scaled to be less than the transistor parameter of any preceding amplifier stage. The inductance of each portion of the transmission line between adjacent stages can also be scaled to be less than the inductance of the portion of the transmission line between any preceding amplifier stages. The inductance can be scaled in addition to or instead of the transistor parameter.

Abstract: A wideband distributed mixer capable of operation over a wide range of frequencies is provided. The mixer can include a plurality of N mixer stages and monolithic transmission lines integrated together on a common semiconductor substrate. The length of each transmission line between adjacent stages can be predetermined such that an IF signal output from each stage is in-phase with the IF signal output from any preceding stage, allowing the mixer to output a mixed IF signal that is a constructive sum of the IF output signals from each constituent stage. The number of mixer stages as well as the design architectures and topologies for each stage can be varied according to the needs of the application.