Abstract: Composite cascode power amplifiers for envelope tracking applications are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an envelope tracking system includes a composite cascode power amplifier that amplifies a radio frequency (RF) signal and that receives power from a power amplifier supply voltage, and an envelope tracker that generates the power amplifier supply voltage based on an envelope of the RF signal. The composite cascode power amplifier includes an enhancement mode (E-MODE) field-effect transistor (FET) for amplifying the RF signal and a depletion mode (D-MODE) FET in cascode with the E-MODE FET.

Abstract: Doherty power amplifier systems with envelope controlled state are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a Doherty power amplifier system includes a main amplifier, a first auxiliary amplifier, and a second auxiliary amplifier that operate in combination with one another to amplify an RF signal. The Doherty power amplifier system further includes a bias circuit that biases the first and second auxiliary amplifiers based on an envelope of the RF signal to control a state of the Doherty power amplifier system. For example, in certain implementations, the first and second auxiliary amplifiers are selectively activated based on a power level indicating by the envelope.

Abstract: Combiners for Doherty power amplifier systems are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a combiner structure includes a first balun combiner for combining an output of a first auxiliary amplifier and a second auxiliary amplifier, and a second balun combiner for combining the output of a main amplifier and an output of the first balun combiner. Each combiner can include a balun having a first conductor connected between a first input port and an output port, a second conductor connected between an isolated node and a second input port and magnetically coupled to the first conductor. An isolation capacitor is connected between the first input port and the isolated node, and an output capacitor is connected between the second input port and the output port. In certain implementations, the balun combiner further includes a termination capacitor between the isolated node and ground.

Abstract: Composite cascode power amplifiers for envelope tracking applications are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an envelope tracking system includes a composite cascode power amplifier that amplifies a radio frequency (RF) signal and that receives power from a power amplifier supply voltage, and an envelope tracker that generates the power amplifier supply voltage based on an envelope of the RF signal. The composite cascode power amplifier includes an enhancement mode (E-MODE) field-effect transistor (FET) for amplifying the RF signal and a depletion mode (D-MODE) FET in cascode with the E-MODE FET.

Abstract: The radio frequency front-end systems herein include modules having bandwidth controllable components, such as amplifier and filters. By implementing the modules with bandwidth control, the same module can be used for operation of multiple frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band. Thus, when implementing features such as carrier aggregation, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), and/or sounding resource signaling (SRS) for supporting the multiple frequency bands, the total number of modules used can be reduced and/or additional feature support can be provided compared to an implementation in which each module supports a single frequency band.

Abstract: The radio frequency front-end systems herein include modules having bandwidth controllable components, such as amplifier and filters. By implementing the modules with bandwidth control, the same module can be used for operation of multiple frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band. Thus, when implementing features such as carrier aggregation, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), and/or sounding resource signaling (SRS) for supporting the multiple frequency bands, the total number of modules used can be reduced and/or additional feature support can be provided compared to an implementation in which each module supports a single frequency band.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the disclosure, a front-end module is provided comprising an input configured to receive a radio-frequency signal, an output configured to be coupled to an antenna, a balun coupled to the output, one or more power amplifiers coupled to the input, and an inverter coupled between the one or more power amplifiers and the balun, the inverter being configured to provide output impedance matching to the one or more power amplifiers.

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: Apparatus and methods for power amplifier systems with balun and shunt capacitor are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a front-end system includes a shunt capacitor, a balun having an input side and an output side, and power amplifier stages that operate in parallel with one another to amplify a radio frequency input signal. The power amplifier stages include a first power amplifier stage having a first output coupled to the shunt capacitor and to a first input terminal on the input side of the balun, and a second power amplifier stage having a second output coupled to a second input terminal on the input side of the balun.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for power amplifiers with broadband matching networks are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a mobile device includes a transceiver that generates a radio frequency input signal, and a front-end system including a compound semiconductor die and a silicon switch die. The compound semiconductor die includes a power amplifier including one or more power amplifier stages that amplify the radio frequency input signal to generate a radio frequency output signal. The silicon switch die includes a band selection switch that receives the radio frequency output signal. The compound semiconductor die and the silicon switch die each include at least one controllable impedance for providing a bandwidth adjustment to the power amplifier.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a signal combiner for a Doherty power amplifier architecture, the signal combiner including a termination circuit on an isolation port, the termination circuit being tuned to improve performance of the Doherty power amplifier. The architecture includes a carrier amplifier and a peaking amplifier. The peaking amplifier modulates the load seen by the carrier amplifier, allowing the carrier amplifier to remain in high-efficiency, saturated operation even at back-off. This load modulation can be achieved using impedance matching networks having an impedance matched to a specific frequency. The architectures include tuned or tailored signal combiners with termination circuits on isolation ports. The termination circuits are tuned or tailored for particular operating frequencies to enhance operation.

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: 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: The radio frequency front-end systems herein include modules having bandwidth controllable components, such as amplifier and filters. By implementing the modules with bandwidth control, the same module can be used for operation of multiple frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band. Thus, when implementing features such as carrier aggregation, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), and/or sounding resource signaling (SRS) for supporting the multiple frequency bands, the total number of modules used can be reduced and/or additional feature support can be provided compared to an implementation in which each module supports a single frequency band.

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: A power amplifier system for amplifying a radio frequency signal can have a driver transistor coupled to a radio frequency signal input. The system can also have a transformer balun with a main primary coil connected between the driver transistor and a voltage supply node of the power amplifier system, a secondary coil magnetically coupled to the main primary coil, and an additional primary coil configured to generate a feedback signal related to a signal induced in the main primary coil. A neutralization diode can be configured to use the feedback signal to reduce a gain variation resulting from variations in a voltage supplied from the voltage supply node of the power amplifier system. The neutralization diode can be connected between the additional primary coil and the driver transistor. Through envelope tracking, voltage supplied through the voltage supply node can change in relation to an envelope of the radio frequency signal.

Abstract: A mobile device can have a transceiver configured to generate a radio frequency signal and a power management system with envelope tracking. The device can also have a power amplifier system having a driver transistor coupled to a radio frequency signal input, a transformer balun having a main primary coil connected between the driver transistor and a voltage supply node of the power amplifier system, a secondary coil magnetically coupled to the main primary coil and an additional primary coil configured to generate a feedback signal related to a signal of the main primary coil. The power amplifier system can also have a push-pull amplifier with a first transistor having a base connected to a first end of the secondary coil and a second transistor having a base connected to a second end of the secondary coil. Accordingly, push-pull stage neutralization can deploy two transistors cross-connected to opposite ends of an output coil in a transformer balun.

Abstract: The radio frequency front-end systems herein include modules having bandwidth controllable components, such as amplifier and filters. By implementing the modules with bandwidth control, the same module can be used for operation of multiple frequency bands including a first frequency band and a second frequency band. Thus, when implementing features such as carrier aggregation, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), and/or sounding resource signaling (SRS) for supporting the multiple frequency bands, the total number of modules used can be reduced and/or additional feature support can be provided compared to an implementation in which each module supports a single frequency band.

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: Wideband power combiners and splitters are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a power combiner/splitter is implemented with a first coil connecting a first port and a second port, and a second coil connecting a third port and a fourth port. The first coil and the second coil are inductively coupled to one another. For example, the first coil and the second coil can be formed using adjacent conductive layers of a semiconductor chip, an integrated passive device, or a laminate. The power combiner/splitter further includes a fifth port tapping a center of the first coil and a sixth port tapping a center of the second coil. The fifth port and the sixth port serve to connect capacitors and/or other impedance to the center of the coils to thereby provide wideband operation.