Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switch arrangement that improves the voltage handling capacity of a stack of switching elements (e.g., field-effect transistors (FETs)). The RF switch arrangement can include a ground plane and a stack arranged in relation to the ground plane, the stack including a plurality of switching elements coupled in series with one another. The RF switch arrangement can also include a plurality of capacitive elements, each of the plurality of capacitive elements providing a capacitive path across respective terminals of a corresponding one of the plurality of switching elements.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switch arrangement that improves the voltage handling capacity of a stack of switching elements (e.g., field-effect transistors (FETs)). The RF switch arrangement can include a ground plane and a stack arranged in relation to the ground plane, the stack including a plurality of switching elements coupled in series with one another. The RF switch arrangement can also include a plurality of capacitive elements, each of the plurality of capacitive elements providing a capacitive path across respective terminals of a corresponding one of the plurality of switching elements.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switch arrangement that improves the voltage handling capacity of a stack of switching elements (e.g., field-effect transistors (FETs)). The RF switch arrangement can include a ground plane and a stack arranged in relation to the ground plane, the stack including a plurality of switching elements coupled in series with one another. The RF switch arrangement can also include a plurality of capacitive elements, each of the plurality of capacitive elements providing a capacitive path across respective terminals of a corresponding one of the plurality of switching elements.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing inductance are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing an inductor includes forming an electrical circuit on a substrate, forming a seal ring around the perimeter of the electrical circuit, providing a break in at least one layer of the seal ring, and electrically connecting the seal ring such that the seal ring operates as an inductor.

Abstract: pHEMT-based switch circuits, devices including same, and methods of improving the linearity thereof. In one example, an antenna switch module includes a pHEMT switching circuit connected in series between an input signal terminal and a load terminal, the pHEMT switching circuit including at least one pHEMT configured to produce a first harmonic signal at the load terminal responsive to being driven by an input signal of a fundamental frequency received at the input signal terminal, the first harmonic signal having a first phase, and a gate resistance circuit connected to a gate of the at least one pHEMT and having a resistance value selected to produce a second harmonic signal at the load terminal, the second harmonic signal having a second phase opposite to the first phase.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing inductance are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing an inductor includes forming an electrical circuit on a substrate, forming a seal ring around the perimeter of the electrical circuit, providing a break in at least one layer of the seal ring, and electrically connecting the seal ring such that the seal ring operates as an inductor.

Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) switch includes a field-effect transistor (FET) disposed between a first node and a second node, the FET having a source, a drain, a gate, and a body. The RF switch further includes a coupling circuit including a first path and a second path, the first path being connected between the gate and one of the source or the drain via a first resistor in series with a first capacitor, the second path being connected between the body and the one of the source or the drain via a second resistor in series with a second capacitor, the coupling circuit configured to allow discharge of interface charge from either or both of the gate and body.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing inductance are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for providing an inductor includes forming an electrical circuit on a substrate, forming a seal ring around the perimeter of the electrical circuit, providing a break in at least one layer of the seal ring, and electrically connecting the seal ring such that the seal ring operates as an inductor.

Abstract: pHEMT-based switch circuits, devices including same, and methods of improving the linearity thereof. In one example, an antenna switch module includes a pHEMT switching circuit connected in series between an input signal terminal and a load terminal, the pHEMT switching circuit including at least one pHEMT configured to produce a first harmonic signal at the load terminal responsive to being driven by an input signal of a fundamental frequency received at the input signal terminal, the first harmonic signal having a first phase, and a gate resistance circuit connected to a gate of the at least one pHEMT and having a resistance value selected to produce a second harmonic signal at the load terminal, the second harmonic signal having a second phase opposite to the first phase.

Abstract: pHEMT-based circuits and methods of improving the linearity thereof. One example pHEMT circuit includes a pHEMT connected between an input terminal and a load and a non-linear resistance connected to the pHEMT. The pHEMT produces a first harmonic signal at the load responsive to being driven by an input signal of a fundamental frequency received at the input terminal, the first harmonic signal having a first phase. The non-linear resistance has a resistance selected to produce a second harmonic signal at the load having a second phase opposite to the first phase. Methods can include determining a first amplitude and a first phase of a first harmonic signal produced at the load by a pHEMT in an ON state, and tuning the non-linear resistance to produce at the load a second harmonic signal having a second amplitude and a second phase that minimizes a net harmonic signal at the load.

Abstract: A radio-frequency (RF) switch includes a field-effect transistor (FET) disposed between a first node and a second node, the FET having a source, a drain, a gate, and a body. The RF switch further includes a coupling circuit including a first path and a second path, the first path being connected between the gate and one of the source or the drain via a first resistor in series with a first capacitor, the second path being connected between the body and the one of the source or the drain via a second resistor in series with a second capacitor, the coupling circuit configured to allow discharge of interface charge from either or both of the gate and body.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switch arrangement that improves the voltage handling capacity of a stack of switching elements (e.g., field-effect transistors (FETs)). The RF switch arrangement can include a ground plane and a stack arranged in relation to the ground plane, the stack including a plurality of switching elements coupled in series with one another. The RF switch arrangement can also include a plurality of capacitive elements, each of the plurality of capacitive elements providing a capacitive path across respective terminals of a corresponding one of the plurality of switching elements.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switch arrangement that improves the voltage handling capacity of a stack of switching elements (e.g., field-effect transistors (FETs)). The RF switch arrangement can include a ground plane and a stack arranged in relation to the ground plane, the stack including a plurality of switching elements coupled in series with one another. The RF switch arrangement can also include a plurality of capacitive elements, each of the plurality of capacitive elements providing a capacitive path across respective terminals of a corresponding one of the plurality of switching elements.

Abstract: A method and structure, the structure having a substrate, an active device in an active device semiconductor region; of the substrate, a microwave transmission line, on the substrate, electrically connected to the active device, and microwave energy absorbing “dummy” fill elements on the substrate. The method includes providing a structure having a substrate, an active device region on a surface of the structure, an ohmic contact material on the active device region, and a plurality of “dummy” fill elements on the surface to provide uniform heating of the substrate during a rapid thermal anneal process, the ohmic contact material and the “dummy” fill elements having the same radiant energy reflectivity. The rapid thermal anneal processing forms an ohmic contact between an ohmic contact material and the active device region and simultaneously converts the “dummy” fill elements into microwave lossy “dummy” fill elements.

Abstract: Radio-frequency (RF) devices are disclosed having transistor gate voltage compensation to provide improved switching performance. RF devices, such as switches, include a plurality of field-effect transistors (FETs) connected in series between first and second nodes, each FET having a gate. A compensation network including a coupling circuit couples the gates of each pair of neighboring FETs.

Abstract: Radio-frequency (RF) switch circuits having switchable transistor coupling for improved switching performance. An RF switch system includes at least one field-effect transistor (FET) disposed between first and second nodes, each FET having a gate and body. A switchable resistive coupling circuit is connected to each of the respective gates. A switchable resistive grounding circuit is connected to each of the respective bodies. The RF switch system also includes a compensation circuit to compensate a non-linearity effect generated by at least one of the field-effect transistors.

Abstract: Fabricating a radio-frequency switching circuit involves providing a substrate, forming, on the substrate, one or more field-effect transistors connected in series to define a radio-frequency signal path between an input end and an output end, each field-effect transistor having a source, a drain, a gate node, and a body node, and forming an element coupled to a selected body node of the one or more field-effect transistors connected in series to thereby provide reduced voltage distribution variation across the switching circuit.

Abstract: A method and structure, the structure having a substrate, an active device in an active device semiconductor region; of the substrate, a microwave transmission line, on the substrate, electrically connected to the active device, and microwave energy absorbing “dummy” fill elements on the substrate. The method includes providing a structure having a substrate, an active device region on a surface of the structure, an ohmic contact material on the active device region, and a plurality of “dummy” fill elements on the surface to provide uniform heating of the substrate during a rapid thermal anneal process, the ohmic contact material and the “dummy” fill elements having the same radiant energy reflectivity. The rapid thermal anneal processing forms an ohmic contact between an ohmic contact material and the active device region and simultaneously converts the “dummy” fill elements into microwave lossy “dummy” fill elements.

Abstract: Radio-frequency (RF) switch circuits having switchable transistor coupling for improved switching performance. An RF switch system includes at least one field-effect transistor (FET) disposed between first and second nodes, each FET having a gate and body. A switchable resistive coupling circuit is connected to each of the respective gates. A switchable resistive grounding circuit is connected to each of the respective bodies. The RF switch system also includes a compensation circuit to compensate a non-linearity effect generated by at least one of the field-effect transistors.

Abstract: pHEMT-based circuits and methods of improving the linearity thereof. One example pHEMT circuit includes a pHEMT connected between an input terminal and a load and a non-linear resistance connected to the pHEMT. The pHEMT produces a first harmonic signal at the load responsive to being driven by an input signal of a fundamental frequency received at the input terminal, the first harmonic signal having a first phase. The non-linear resistance has a resistance selected to produce a second harmonic signal at the load having a second phase opposite to the first phase. Methods can include determining a first amplitude and a first phase of a first harmonic signal produced at the load by a pHEMT in an ON state, and tuning the non-linear resistance to produce at the load a second harmonic signal having a second amplitude and a second phase that minimizes a net harmonic signal at the load.