Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Spencer Roberts

Jeffrey Spencer Roberts has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11705872
    Abstract: Embodiments of RF amplifiers and packaged RF amplifier devices each include an amplification path with a transistor die, and an output-side impedance matching circuit having a T-match circuit topology. The output-side impedance matching circuit includes a first inductive element (e.g., first wirebonds) connected between the transistor output terminal and a quasi RF cold point node, a second inductive element (e.g., second wirebonds) connected between the quasi RF cold point node and an output of the amplification path, and a first capacitance connected between the quasi RF cold point node and a ground reference node. The RF amplifiers and devices also include a baseband termination circuit connected to the quasi RF cold point node, which includes an envelope resistor, an envelope inductor, and an envelope capacitor coupled in series between the quasi RF cold point node and the ground reference node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Ning Zhu, Olivier Lembeye, Damon G. Holmes, Jeffrey Kevin Jones
  • Publication number: 20230079916
    Abstract: Embodiments of RF amplifiers and packaged RF amplifier devices each include an amplification path with a transistor die, and an output-side impedance matching circuit having a T-match circuit topology. The output-side impedance matching circuit includes a first inductive element connected between the transistor output terminal and a quasi RF cold point node, a second inductive element connected between the quasi RF cold point node and an output of the amplification path, and a first capacitance connected between the quasi RF cold point node and a ground reference node. The RF amplifiers and devices also include a baseband termination circuit connected to the quasi RF cold point node, which includes a third inductive element, a resistor, and a second capacitance in series between the quasi RF cold point node and the ground reference node and a third capacitance between a baseband termination circuit node and the ground reference node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Ning Zhu, Damon G. Holmes
  • Patent number: 11522497
    Abstract: An amplifier includes a package that includes a carrier amplifier having a carrier amplifier input and output, a peaking amplifier having a peaking amplifier input and output, and corresponding input and output leads. The package includes a first integrated passive device including a first capacitor structure. The first integrated passive device includes a first contact pad coupled to the peaking amplifier output and a second contact pad coupled to the peaking output lead. The package includes a second integrated passive device including a second capacitor structure. The second integrated passive device includes a third contact pad coupled to the carrier amplifier output and a fourth contact pad coupled to the carrier output lead. The amplifier includes input circuitry a combining node configured to combine a carrier output signal and a peaking output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramanujam Srinidhi Embar, Jeffrey Spencer Roberts
  • Patent number: 11515847
    Abstract: A packaged RF amplifier device includes input and output leads and a transistor die. The transistor die includes a transistor with a drain-source capacitance below 0.1 picofarads per watt. The device also includes a conductive connection between the transistor output terminal and the output lead, and a baseband termination circuit between the transistor output terminal and a ground reference node. The baseband termination circuit presents a low impedance to signal energy at envelope frequencies and a high impedance to signal energy at RF frequencies. The baseband termination circuit includes an inductive element, a resistor, and a capacitor connected in series between the transistor output terminal and the ground reference node. Except for a minimal impedance transformation associated with the conductive connection, the device is unmatched between the transistor output terminal and the output lead by being devoid of impedance matching circuitry between the transistor output terminal and the output lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Damon G. Holmes, Ning Zhu, Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Jeffrey Kevin Jones
  • Patent number: 11444586
    Abstract: A radio frequency amplifier includes a transistor, an input impedance matching circuit (e.g., a single-section T-match circuit or a multiple-section bandpass circuit), and a fractional harmonic resonator circuit. The input impedance matching circuit is coupled between an amplification path input and a transistor input terminal. An input of the fractional harmonic resonator circuit is coupled to the amplification path input, and an output of fractional harmonic resonator circuit is coupled to the transistor input terminal. The fractional harmonic resonator circuit is configured to resonate at a resonant frequency that is between a fundamental frequency of operation of the RF amplifier and a second harmonic of the fundamental frequency. According to a further embodiment, the fractional harmonic resonator circuit resonates at a fraction, x, of the fundamental frequency, wherein the fraction is between about 1.25 and about 1.9 (e.g., x?1.5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Ning Zhu, Damon g. Holmes, Jeffrey Kevin Jones
  • Publication number: 20220085772
    Abstract: A packaged RF amplifier device includes input and output leads and a transistor die. The transistor die includes a transistor with a drain-source capacitance below 0.1 picofarads per watt. The device also includes a conductive connection between the transistor output terminal and the output lead, and a baseband termination circuit between the transistor output terminal and a ground reference node. The baseband termination circuit presents a low impedance to signal energy at envelope frequencies and a high impedance to signal energy at RF frequencies. The baseband termination circuit includes an inductive element, a resistor, and a capacitor connected in series between the transistor output terminal and the ground reference node. Except for a minimal impedance transformation associated with the conductive connection, the device is unmatched between the transistor output terminal and the output lead by being devoid of impedance matching circuitry between the transistor output terminal and the output lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Damon G. Holmes, Ning Zhu, Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Jeffrey Kevin Jones
  • Publication number: 20210376798
    Abstract: An amplifier includes a package that includes a carrier amplifier having a carrier amplifier input and output, a peaking amplifier having a peaking amplifier input and output, and corresponding input and output leads. The package includes a first integrated passive device including a first capacitor structure. The first integrated passive device includes a first contact pad coupled to the peaking amplifier output and a second contact pad coupled to the peaking output lead. The package includes a second integrated passive device including a second capacitor structure. The second integrated passive device includes a third contact pad coupled to the carrier amplifier output and a fourth contact pad coupled to the carrier output lead. The amplifier includes input circuitry a combining node configured to combine a carrier output signal and a peaking output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Ramanujam SRINIDHI EMBAR, Jeffrey Spencer ROBERTS
  • Publication number: 20210287983
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor die having top and bottom die surfaces, an electrically conductive structure, and input and output pads formed at the top die surface. An isolation structure is interposed between the input and output pads of the transistor die. The isolation structure extends above the top die surface, is coupled to the conductive structure, and is connected to a common return path of the transistor die. The isolation structure may be formed from one or more bondwires and is configured to reduce mutual coupling between input and output interconnects of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Ning Zhu, Ibrahim Khalil, Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Damon G. Holmes
  • Patent number: 11121072
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor die having top and bottom die surfaces, an electrically conductive structure, and input and output pads formed at the top die surface. An isolation structure is interposed between the input and output pads of the transistor die. The isolation structure extends above the top die surface, is coupled to the conductive structure, and is connected to a common return path of the transistor die. The isolation structure may be formed from one or more bondwires and is configured to reduce mutual coupling between input and output interconnects of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Zhu, Ibrahim Khalil, Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Damon G. Holmes
  • Publication number: 20210175860
    Abstract: Embodiments of RF amplifiers and packaged RF amplifier devices each include an amplification path with a transistor die, and an output-side impedance matching circuit having a T-match circuit topology. The output-side impedance matching circuit includes a first inductive element (e.g., first wirebonds) connected between the transistor output terminal and a quasi RF cold point node, a second inductive element (e.g., second wirebonds) connected between the quasi RF cold point node and an output of the amplification path, and a first capacitance connected between the quasi RF cold point node and a ground reference node. The RF amplifiers and devices also include a baseband termination circuit connected to the quasi RF cold point node, which includes an envelope resistor, an envelope inductor, and an envelope capacitor coupled in series between the quasi RF cold point node and the ground reference node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Ning Zhu, Olivier Lembeye, Damon G. Holmes, Jeffrey Kevin Jones
  • Publication number: 20210126593
    Abstract: A radio frequency amplifier includes a transistor, an input impedance matching circuit (e.g., a single-section T-match circuit or a multiple-section bandpass circuit), and a fractional harmonic resonator circuit. The input impedance matching circuit is coupled between an amplification path input and a transistor input terminal. An input of the fractional harmonic resonator circuit is coupled to the amplification path input, and an output of fractional harmonic resonator circuit is coupled to the transistor input terminal. The fractional harmonic resonator circuit is configured to resonate at a resonant frequency that is between a fundamental frequency of operation of the RF amplifier and a second harmonic of the fundamental frequency. According to a further embodiment, the fractional harmonic resonator circuit resonates at a fraction, x, of the fundamental frequency, wherein the fraction is between about 1.25 and about 1.9 (e.g., x?1.5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Ning Zhu, Damon g. Holmes, Jeffrey Kevin Jones
  • Patent number: 10784821
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide radio frequency (RF) amplifiers, and in some embodiments provide amplifiers that can be used in high power RF applications. Specifically, the amplifiers described herein may be implemented with multiple resonant circuits to provide class F and inverse class F amplifiers and methods of operation. In general, the resonant circuits are implemented inside a device package with a transistor die to provide high efficiency amplification for a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Zhu, Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Damon G. Holmes
  • Patent number: 10784822
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide radio frequency (RF) amplifiers, and in some embodiments provide amplifiers that can be used in high power RF applications. Specifically, the amplifiers described herein may be implemented with multiple resonant circuits to provide class F and inverse class F amplifiers and methods of operation. In general, the resonant circuits are implemented inside a device package with a transistor die to provide high efficiency amplification for a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Zhu, Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Damon G. Holmes
  • Patent number: 10742178
    Abstract: Embodiments of RF amplifiers and packaged RF amplifier devices each include a transistor with a drain-source capacitance that is relatively low, an output impedance matching circuit, and a harmonic termination circuit. The impedance matching circuit includes a harmonic termination circuit, which includes a first inductance (a first plurality of bondwires) and a first capacitance coupled in series between the transistor output and a ground reference node. An equivalent capacitance from a combination of the first inductive element and the first capacitance in series effectively increases the drain-source capacitance by at least 10 percent. The impedance matching circuit also includes a second inductance (a second plurality of bondwires) and a second capacitance coupled in series between the transistor output and the ground reference node, where the second inductance and the second capacitance are directly connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Zhu, Damon G. Holmes, Jeffrey Spencer Roberts
  • Patent number: 10742174
    Abstract: Embodiments of RF amplifiers and RF amplifier devices include a transistor, a multiple-section bandpass filter circuit, and a harmonic termination circuit. The bandpass filter circuit includes a first connection node coupled to the amplifier input, a first inductive element coupled between the first connection node and a ground reference node, a first capacitance coupled between the first connection node and a second connection node, a second capacitance coupled between the second connection node and the ground reference node, and a second inductive element coupled between the second connection node and the transistor input. The harmonic termination circuit includes a third inductive element and a third capacitance connected in series between the transistor input and the ground reference node. The harmonic termination circuit resonates at a harmonic frequency of a fundamental frequency of operation of the RF amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Ning Zhu, Damon G. Holmes, Jeffrey Kevin Jones
  • Publication number: 20200204119
    Abstract: Embodiments of RF amplifiers and RF amplifier devices include a transistor, a multiple-section bandpass filter circuit, and a harmonic termination circuit. The bandpass filter circuit includes a first connection node coupled to the amplifier input, a first inductive element coupled between the first connection node and a ground reference node, a first capacitance coupled between the first connection node and a second connection node, a second capacitance coupled between the second connection node and the ground reference node, and a second inductive element coupled between the second connection node and the transistor input. The harmonic termination circuit includes a third inductive element and a third capacitance connected in series between the transistor input and the ground reference node. The harmonic termination circuit resonates at a harmonic frequency of a fundamental frequency of operation of the RF amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Ning Zhu, Damon G. Holmes, Jeffrey Kevin Jones
  • Publication number: 20200204122
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide radio frequency (RF) amplifiers, and in some embodiments provide amplifiers that can be used in high power RF applications. Specifically, the amplifiers described herein may be implemented with multiple resonant circuits to provide class F and inverse class F amplifiers and methods of operation. In general, the resonant circuits are implemented inside a device package with a transistor die to provide high efficiency amplification for a variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: NING ZHU, JEFFREY SPENCER ROBERTS, DAMON G. HOLMES
  • Publication number: 20200204121
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide radio frequency (RF) amplifiers, and in some embodiments provide amplifiers that can be used in high power RF applications. Specifically, the amplifiers described herein may be implemented with multiple resonant circuits to provide class F and inverse class F amplifiers and methods of operation. In general, the resonant circuits are implemented inside a device package with a transistor die to provide high efficiency amplification for a variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: NING ZHU, JEFFREY SPENCER ROBERTS, DAMON G. HOLMES
  • Patent number: 10594276
    Abstract: Power amplifiers such as multi-path power amplifiers, systems employing such amplifiers, and methods of implementing amplifiers and amplifier systems are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, a multi-path power amplifier includes a first semiconductor die with an integrated first transistor having a first source-to-drain pitch, and a second semiconductor die with an integrated second transistor having a second source-to-drain pitch, where the second source-to-drain pitch is smaller than the first source-to-drain pitch by at least 30 percent. In another example embodiment, a Doherty amplifier system includes a first semiconductor die with a first physical die area to total gate periphery ratio, and a second semiconductor die with a second physical die area to total gate periphery ratio, where the second physical die area to total gate periphery ratio is smaller than the first physical die area to total gate periphery ratio by at least 30 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kevin Jones, Damon G Holmes, Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Darrell Glenn Hill
  • Patent number: 10541653
    Abstract: Embodiments of RF amplifiers and packaged RF amplifier devices each include a transistor with a drain-source capacitance that is relatively low, an input impedance matching circuit, and an input-side harmonic termination circuit. The input impedance matching circuit includes a harmonic termination circuit, which in turn includes a first inductance (a first plurality of bondwires) and a first capacitance coupled in series between the transistor output and a ground reference node. The input impedance matching circuit also includes a second inductance (a second plurality of bondwires), a third inductance (a third plurality of bondwires), and a second capacitance coupled in a T-match configuration between the input lead and the transistor input. The first and second capacitances may be metal-insulator-metal capacitors in an integrated passive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Ning Zhu, Jeffrey Spencer Roberts, Damon G. Holmes, Jeffrey Kevin Jones