Abstract: A transceiver includes a receive path including a low noise amplifier and a first switch coupled between the low noise amplifier and ground, a first transmit path including a low power amplifier and a second switch coupled between the low power amplifier and a main signal path, and a second transmit path including a high power amplifier and a third switch coupled between the main signal path and ground. The receive path is active when the first, second, and third switches are in an open position, the first transmit path is active when the first switch is in a closed position, the second switch is in the closed position, and the third switch is in the open position, and the second transmit path is active when the first switch and the third switch are in the closed position, and the second switch is in the open position.

Abstract: Techniques are described for power detection of an amplified signal. For example, power detection described herein can receive an amplified signal from a power amplifier, and can generate an output signal that can be fed back to help regulate an output level of the power amplifier. Embodiments receive the amplified signal can be received by a transistor. A first measurement can be obtained at the transistor's emitter corresponding to an average bias level of the amplified signal, and a second measurement can be obtained at the transistor's base. The output signal can be generated as a function of a difference between the two measurements. Some embodiments further compensate for a measured effective diode voltage corresponding to a base-emitter voltage. Such an approach can generate the power detector output signal to be independent of the ? of the transistor, and therefore less affected by variations in process corners and temperature.

Abstract: Techniques are described for power detection of an amplified signal. For example, power detection described herein can receive an amplified signal from a power amplifier, and can generate an output signal that can be fed back to help regulate an output level of the power amplifier. Embodiments receive the amplified signal can be received by a transistor. A first measurement can be obtained at the transistor's emitter corresponding to an average bias level of the amplified signal, and a second measurement can be obtained at the transistor's base. The output signal can be generated as a function of a difference between the two measurements. Some embodiments further compensate for a measured effective diode voltage corresponding to a base-emitter voltage. Such an approach can generate the power detector output signal to be independent of the ? of the transistor, and therefore less affected by variations in process corners and temperature.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing wireless communications are provided. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a transformer including a first winding, a second winding, and a third winding. The apparatus also includes a first transmitter circuit coupled with the first winding, and a second circuit coupled with the second winding. The third winding is coupled with an antenna. The first transmitter circuit is configured to transmit a first signal to the antenna via magnetic coupling between the first winding and the third winding. The second circuit is configured to tolerate without damage a second signal from the first transmitter circuit, wherein the second signal is generated from the first signal via magnetic coupling between the first winding and the second winding. A turn ratio between the first winding and the second winding can be configured to limit a voltage of the second signal to be within a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A power amplifier includes an input terminal configured to receive a low voltage input signal, an output terminal configured to output a high voltage output signal, and a plurality of amplifiers stacked in series between a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. Each of the amplifiers includes an input capacitor, an output capacitor, an input coupled to the input terminal through the input capacitor, an output coupled to the output terminal through the output capacitor, and a feedback element coupled between the input and the output of the amplifier.

Abstract: A switching-mode power amplifier includes a driver circuit having an input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal, an output for outputting a digital output signal, and a bias port for receiving a bias signal, and a bias circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the driver circuit for receiving the digital output signal, a second input coupled to the input of the driver circuit for receiving the RF signal, and an output coupled to the bias port of the driver circuit for providing the bias signal to the driver circuit.

Abstract: A power amplifier includes an input terminal configured to receive a low voltage input signal, an output terminal configured to output a high voltage output signal, and a plurality of amplifiers stacked in series between a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. Each of the amplifiers includes an input capacitor, an output capacitor, an input coupled to the input terminal through the input capacitor, an output coupled to the output terminal through the output capacitor, and a feedback element coupled between the input and the output of the amplifier.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing wireless communications are provided. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a transformer including a first winding, a second winding, and a third winding. The apparatus also includes a first transmitter circuit coupled with the first winding, and a second circuit coupled with the second winding. The third winding is coupled with an antenna. The first transmitter circuit is configured to transmit a first signal to the antenna via magnetic coupling between the first winding and the third winding. The second circuit is configured to tolerate without damage a second signal from the first transmitter circuit, wherein the second signal is generated from the first signal via magnetic coupling between the first winding and the second winding. A turn ratio between the first winding and the second winding can be configured to limit a voltage of the second signal to be within a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A transceiver includes a receive path including a low noise amplifier and a first switch coupled between the low noise amplifier and ground, a first transmit path including a low power amplifier and a second switch coupled between the low power amplifier and a main signal path, and a second transmit path including a high power amplifier and a third switch coupled between the main signal path and ground. The receive path is active when the first, second, and third switches are in an open position, the first transmit path is active when the first switch is in a closed position, the second switch is in the closed position, and the third switch is in the open position, and the second transmit path is active when the first switch and the third switch are in the closed position, and the second switch is in the open position.

Abstract: A switching-mode power amplifier includes a driver circuit having an input for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal, an output for outputting a digital output signal, and a bias port for receiving a bias signal, and a bias circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the driver circuit for receiving the digital output signal, a second input coupled to the input of the driver circuit for receiving the RF signal, and an output coupled to the bias port of the driver circuit for providing the bias signal to the driver circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing wireless communications are provided. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a transformer including a first winding, a second winding, and a third winding. The apparatus also includes a first transmitter circuit coupled with the first winding, and a second circuit coupled with the second winding. The third winding is coupled with an antenna. The first transmitter circuit is configured to transmit a first signal to the antenna via magnetic coupling between the first winding and the third winding. The second circuit is configured to tolerate without damage a second signal from the first transmitter circuit, wherein the second signal is generated from the first signal via magnetic coupling between the first winding and the second winding. A turn ratio between the first winding and the second winding can be configured to limit a voltage of the second signal to be within a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A wireless transceiver includes a receive path having a first switch and configured to receive an input signal when the first switch is in an open position, a first transmit path having a second switch and configured to provide a first output signal when the second switch is in a closed position and the first switch is in a closed position, and a second transmit path having a third switch and configured to provide a second output signal when the third switch is in a closed position, the first switch is in the closed position, and the second switch is in an open position. The first, second, and third switches are integrated together with the receive path, the first RF transmit path, and the second transmit path within a same integrated circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing wireless communications are provided. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a transformer including a first winding, a second winding, and a third winding. The apparatus also includes a first transmitter circuit coupled with the first winding, and a second circuit coupled with the second winding. The third winding is coupled with an antenna. The first transmitter circuit is configured to transmit a first signal to the antenna via magnetic coupling between the first winding and the third winding. The second circuit is configured to tolerate without damage a second signal from the first transmitter circuit, wherein the second signal is generated from the first signal via magnetic coupling between the first winding and the second winding. A turn ratio between the first winding and the second winding can be configured to limit a voltage of the second signal to be within a pre-determined threshold.