Abstract: Systems and methods for improving radio frequency integrated circuits. Extended conducting plates having current forming elements are used to equalize return currents from an array of capacitance banks in radio frequency integrated circuits and to reduce crosstalk between crossing signal lines by providing isolation mechanisms for use as a shield between the signal carrying lines. Material encapsulated magneto-electric antennas are configured into antenna arrays on a PCB or a RFIC package. Antenna arrays may comprise antennas having different directivity levels and may have asymmetric arrangement of antenna elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving radio frequency integrated circuits. Extended conducting plates having current forming elements are used to equalize return currents from an array of capacitance banks in radio frequency integrated circuits and to reduce crosstalk between crossing signal lines by providing isolation mechanisms for use as a shield between the signal carrying lines. Material encapsulated magneto-electric antennas are configured into antenna arrays on a PCB or a RFIC package. Antenna arrays may comprise antennas having different directivity levels and may have asymmetric arrangement of antenna elements.

Abstract: A tapped transmission line for distributing an electrical signal, such as an RF signal, to multiple modules, and/or aggregating signals from multiple modules. Embodiments of the invention provide a tapped transmission line based on a transmission-line medium along which tap elements are dispersed, so that the tap elements have a predominantly capacitive loading of the transmission-line medium. Methods for compensating the loss of the transmission-line medium are presented as well. Applications for distribution of transmitted signals, of local oscillator signals, and to aggregation of signals from multiple oscillators are disclosed. The invention is particularly applicable to integrated circuits (IC, ASIC, RFIC), and to multichannel RF systems such as phased array and MIMO systems.

Abstract: A Q-enhanced radio-frequency filter featuring loss-compensating circuits with values that can be controlled to optimize loss compensation. Instabilities are avoided by temporarily introducing a reflection at a port (such as via short-circuiting the port) and testing for the beginning of oscillations. Certain embodiments provide negative-resistance circuits for loss compensation, including cross-coupled transistor pairs and adjustable capacitance. Further embodiments provide loss-compensating RF filters with planar inductors, including overlapping planar inductors.

Abstract: A tapped transmission line for distributing an electrical signal, such as an RF signal, to multiple modules, and/or aggregating signals from multiple modules. Embodiments of the invention provide a tapped transmission line based on a transmission-line medium along which tap elements are dispersed, so that the tap elements have a predominantly capacitive loading of the transmission-line medium. Methods for compensating the loss of the transmission-line medium are presented as well. Applications for distribution of transmitted signals, of local oscillator signals, and to aggregation of signals from multiple oscillators are disclosed. The invention is particularly applicable to integrated circuits (IC, ASIC, RFIC), and to multichannel RF systems such as phased array and MIMO systems.

Abstract: A self-contained radio-frequency device featuring multiple overlapping coupled coil inductors in a planar configuration with overlaps selected for desired coupling between different pairs of coils, wherein the electromagnetic energy of the coils arises substantially only from the coils themselves and affects only the coils themselves. Overlapping configurations provide a compact space-saving form-factor for such a device a variety of applications, including filters, baluns, transformers, matching networks, amplifier stages, distributed amplifiers, and frequency multipliers. Space-saving is achieved by overlapping the coils while controlling the mutual inductance. The planar arrangements are applicable to a variety of technologies, such as integrated circuits (IC, ASIC, RFIC), ceramic multilayer technologies such as low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC), and to printed circuit boards (PCB).

Abstract: A tapped transmission line for distributing an electrical signal, such as an RF signal, to multiple modules, and/or aggregating signals from multiple modules. Embodiments of the invention provide a tapped transmission line based on a transmission-line medium along which tap elements are dispersed, so that the tap elements have a predominantly capacitive loading of the transmission-line medium. Methods for compensating the loss of the transmission-line medium are presented as well. Applications for distribution of transmitted signals, of local oscillator signals, and to aggregation of signals from multiple oscillators are disclosed. The invention is particularly applicable to integrated circuits (IC, ASIC, RFIC), and to multichannel RF systems such as phased array and MIMO systems.

Abstract: A self-contained radio-frequency device featuring multiple overlapping coupled coil inductors in a planar configuration with overlaps selected for desired coupling between different pairs of coils, wherein the electromagnetic energy of the coils arises substantially only from the coils themselves and affects only the coils themselves. Overlapping configurations provide a compact space-saving form-factor for such a device a variety of applications, including filters, baluns, transformers, matching networks, amplifier stages, distributed amplifiers, and frequency multipliers. Space-saving is achieved by overlapping the coils while controlling the mutual inductance. The planar arrangements are applicable to a variety of technologies, such as integrated circuits (IC, ASIC, RFIC), ceramic multilayer technologies such as low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC), and to printed circuit boards (PCB).

Abstract: A system comprises a differential phase shifter based on a differential coupled line coupler that can include a ground metal layer, a bottom metal layer and a top metal layer. The differential line coupler can include differential input lines comprising two metal stack layers (top and bottom), which are arranged diagonally, and the differential output lines are arranged in a complementary diagonal configuration. This layout configuration overcomes the asymmetry caused by the difference in metal layer thickness and width difference, as well as a periphery effect such as the distance to a ground plane or substrate. The proposed diagonal layout configuration balances the characteristic impedance and phase accumulation on each coupled wire of the differential coupled line coupler, which improves the performance of the phase shifter, e.g. lower insertion loss and wider phase tuning range.

Abstract: A system comprises a differential phase shifter based on a differential coupled line coupler that can include a ground metal layer, a bottom metal layer and a top metal layer. The differential line coupler can include differential input lines comprising two metal stack layers (top and bottom), which are arranged diagonally, and the differential output lines are arranged in a complementary diagonal configuration. This layout configuration overcomes the asymmetry caused by the difference in metal layer thickness and width difference, as well as a periphery effect such as the distance to a ground plane or substrate. The proposed diagonal layout configuration balances the characteristic impedance and phase accumulation on each coupled wire of the differential coupled line coupler, which improves the performance of the phase shifter, e.g. lower insertion loss and wider phase tuning range.

Abstract: A system comprising: a frequency multiplier configured to receive an incoming RF signal having a fundamental frequency, and to output an outgoing RF signal having an output frequency that is an even multiple of the fundamental frequency; an input transformer comprising a multiplier-side inductor configured to provide the incoming RF signal, in a differential mode, to the frequency multiplier at the fundamental input frequency; a direct current bias source configured to bias the frequency multiplier, thereby producing the outgoing RF signal and multiple harmonic signals of the fundamental signal; and a reflector comprising a capacitor configured to resonate with the multiplier-side inductor at the output frequency, and reflect back a portion of the multiple harmonics signals having the output frequency back to the multiplier.