Abstract: An impedance matching apparatus for providing impedance matching for an RF component. The apparatus includes a balun transformer circuit having a primary coil at an input side of the balun transformer circuit. The primary coil can be connected to a signal source to receive an input signal from the signal source.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a wireless device comprising a module input to receive an input signal, a module output to provide an amplified output signal, a low-noise amplifier including an input amplification stage coupled to the input, and a plurality of output amplification stages switchably coupled to the input amplification stage, and a plurality of impedance-matching circuits, each impedance-matching circuit of the plurality of impedance-matching circuits having an input coupled to a respective output amplification stage and an output coupled to the module output.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for amplifying radio-frequency signals using a variable-gain amplifier with a plurality of input nodes. The methods provide a plurality of gain modes with a low gain mode or bypass mode that follows a bypass path through the variable-gain amplifier and a plurality of higher gain modes that take advantage of tailored impedances for particular gain modes. The tailored impedances can be configured to improve linearity of the amplification process in targeted gain modes. The methods can selectively couple the bypass path to a reference potential node in the plurality of higher gain modes and can selectively decouple the input nodes from a degeneration switching block in the bypass mode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are signal amplifiers having a plurality of amplifier cores. Individual amplifier cores can be designed to enhance particular advantages while reducing other disadvantages. The signal amplifier can then switch between amplifier cores in a particular gain mode to achieve desired performance characteristics (e.g., improving noise figure or linearity). Examples of signal amplifiers disclosed herein include amplifier architectures with a low noise figure amplifier core that reduces the noise figure and a linearity boost amplifier core that increases linearity. The disclosed signal amplifiers can switch between a first active core and a second active core for a single or particular gain mode to achieve desired signal characteristics during different time periods.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are signal amplifier architectures that provide a plurality of gain modes. Different gain modes can use different paths through the amplifier architecture. Switches that are used to select the path through the amplifier architecture can be configured to also provide targeted impedance in a degeneration block or matrix. The switches that select the gain path are provided in the amplifier architecture and are thus not needed or used in the degeneration block, thereby reducing the size of the package for the amplifier architecture, improving the noise figure (NF), improving impedance matching, and eliminating the need for control logic associated with the degeneration block or matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are signal amplifiers that include a plurality of switchable amplifier architectures so that particular gain modes can use dedicated amplifier architectures to provide desired characteristics for those gain modes, such as low noise figure or high linearity. The disclosed signal amplifier architectures provide tailored impedances using a degeneration block or matrix without using switches in the degeneration switching block. The disclosed signal amplifier architectures provide a plurality of gain modes where different gain modes use different paths through the amplifier architecture. Switches that are used to select the path through the amplifier architecture also provide targeted impedances in a degeneration block or matrix. The switches that select the gain path are provided in the amplifier architecture and are thus not needed or used in the degeneration block, thereby reducing the size of the package for the amplifier architecture.

Abstract: Methods related to amplification of radio-frequency signals. In some embodiments, a method for amplifying a radio-frequency signal can include configuring a gain stage to be in a selected one of a plurality of gain settings, with at least some of the gain settings resulting in different phases for the radio-frequency signal. The method can further include adjusting the phase of the radio-frequency signal for the selected gain setting, such that the adjusted phase is part of desired phases adjusted from the different phases.

Abstract: Described herein are variable gain amplifiers and multiplexers that embed programmable attenuators into switchable paths to provide variable gain for individual amplifier inputs. The variable gain for an individual input is provided using an amplification stage that is common for each input of the amplifier. A variable attenuation is provided for individual inputs through a combination of a band selection switch and an attenuation selection branch. Individual inputs can be configured to bypass the variable attenuation in a high gain mode.

Abstract: Variable-phase amplifier circuits and devices. In some embodiments, an amplifier can include a variable-gain stage having a plurality of switchable amplification branches, with each being capable of being activated, such that a combination of one or more activated amplification branches provides respective gain level and phase shift. The plurality of switchable amplification branches can be configured such that the phase shift provided by each combination of one or more activated amplification branches compensates for a phase shift associated with the amplifier operating with the respective gain level of the variable-gain stage.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit is provided that includes an amplifier having a signal input and a signal output, the amplifier being configured to produce an amplified signal at the signal output, a feedback path coupled between the signal output and the signal input, and an amplifier linearity boost circuit positioned in the feedback path. The amplifier linearity boost circuit includes a non-linear current generator and a phase-shifting circuit, the non-linear current generator being configured to provide a non-linear current based on the amplified signal, and the phase-shifting circuit being configured to adjust a phase of the non-linear current to reduce an intermodulation distortion of the amplified signal.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for amplifying radio-frequency signals using a variable-gain amplifier with a plurality of input nodes. The methods provide a plurality of gain modes with a low gain mode or bypass mode that follows a bypass path through the variable-gain amplifier and a plurality of higher gain modes that take advantage of tailored impedances for particular gain modes. The tailored impedances can be configured to improve linearity of the amplification process in targeted gain modes. The methods can selectively couple the bypass path to a reference potential node in the plurality of higher gain modes and can selectively decouple the input nodes from a degeneration switching block in the bypass mode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are signal amplifiers having a plurality of amplifier cores. Individual amplifier cores can be designed to enhance particular advantages while reducing other disadvantages. The signal amplifier can then switch between amplifier cores in a particular gain mode to achieve desired performance characteristics (e.g., improving noise figure or linearity). Examples of signal amplifiers disclosed herein include amplifier architectures with a low noise figure amplifier core that reduces the noise figure and a linearity boost amplifier core that increases linearity. The disclosed signal amplifiers can switch between a first active core and a second active core for a single or particular gain mode to achieve desired signal characteristics during different time periods.

Abstract: Described herein are variable gain amplifiers and multiplexers that embed programmable attenuators into switchable paths to provide variable gain for individual amplifier inputs. The variable gain for an individual input is provided using an amplification stage that is common for each input of the amplifier. A variable attenuation is provided for individual inputs through a combination of a band selection switch and an attenuation selection branch. Individual inputs can be configured to bypass the variable attenuation in a high gain mode.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is related to a radio-frequency (RF) amplifier having a bypass circuit and a resonant structure to improve performance in a bypass mode (e.g., a low gain mode). The disclosed amplifiers have a resonant structure that effectively isolates an amplifier core from a bypass circuit. For example, in a bypass mode, the resonant structure is configured to create an open impedance looking into the amplifier core input. This effectively removes any loading from the amplifier core to the bypass circuit. The disclosed amplifiers with resonant structures improve linearity performance in bypass modes due at least in part to the open impedance to the amplifier core provided by the resonant structure.

Abstract: Described herein are variable-gain amplifier configurations that include a multi-input gain stage, a cascode buffer, and a bypass block. Degeneration switching blocks can be used for the entire multi-input gain stage or for individual input nodes of the multi-input gain stage. This advantageously reduces or eliminates performance penalties in one or more gain modes. The variable impedances can be configured to improve linearity of the amplification process in targeted gain modes. The variable gain amplifier can be configured to provide a low-loss bypass mode in a low gain mode to improve signal quality.

Abstract: Described herein are variable gain amplifiers and multiplexers that embed programmable attenuators into switchable paths to provide variable gain for individual amplifier inputs. The variable gain for an individual input is provided using a amplification stage that is common for each input of the amplifier. A variable attenuation is provided for individual inputs through a combination of a band selection switch and an attenuation selection branch. The attenuation can be tailored for individual inputs and can depend on a gain mode of the amplifier.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are signal amplifiers having a plurality of amplifier cores. Individual amplifier cores can be designed for particular gain modes to enhance particular advantages while reducing other disadvantages. The signal amplifier can then switch between amplifier cores when switching gain modes to achieve desired performance characteristics (e.g., improving noise figure or linearity). Examples of signal amplifiers disclosed herein include amplifier architectures with a high gain amplifier core that reduces the noise figure and a linearity boost amplifier core that increases linearity (e.g., for lower gain modes). The disclosed signal amplifiers have a first active core with amplification chains for each of a plurality of inputs and a second active core with a single amplification chain to amplify signals received at the plurality of inputs.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is related to a radio-frequency (RF) amplifier having a bypass circuit and a resonant structure to improve performance in a bypass mode (e.g., a low gain mode). The disclosed amplifiers have a resonant structure that effectively isolates an amplifier core from a bypass circuit. For example, in a bypass mode, the resonant structure is configured to create an open impedance looking into the amplifier core input. This effectively removes any loading from the amplifier core to the bypass circuit. The disclosed amplifiers with resonant structures improve linearity performance in bypass modes due at least in part to the open impedance to the amplifier core provided by the resonant structure.

Abstract: Variable-phase amplifier circuits and devices. In some embodiments, an amplifier can include a variable-gain stage having a plurality of switchable amplification branches, with each being capable of being activated, such that a combination of one or more activated amplification branches provides respective gain level and phase shift. The plurality of switchable amplification branches can be configured such that the phase shift provided by each combination of one or more activated amplification branches compensates for a phase shift associated with the amplifier operating with the respective gain level of the variable-gain stage.

Abstract: Described herein are variable-gain amplifier configurations that include a multi-input gain stage, a cascode buffer, and a bypass block. Degeneration switching blocks can be used for the entire multi-input gain stage or for individual input nodes of the multi-input gain stage. This advantageously reduces or eliminates performance penalties in one or more gain modes. The variable impedances can be configured to improve linearity of the amplification process in targeted gain modes. The variable gain amplifier can be configured to provide a low-loss bypass mode in a low gain mode to improve signal quality.