Abstract: Integrated Doherty power amplifiers are provided herein. In certain implementations, a Doherty power amplifier includes a carrier amplification stage that generates a carrier signal, a peaking amplification stage that generates a peaking signal, and an antenna structure that combines the carrier signal and the peaking signal. The antenna structure radiates a transmit wave in which the carrier signal and the peaking signal are combined with a phase shift.

Abstract: Antenna systems with tunable frequency response circuits are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an antenna system includes an antenna element and a tuning conductor that is spaced apart from the antenna element and operable to load the antenna element. Thus, the tuning conductor is electromagnetically coupled to the antenna element, for instance, capacitively coupled to the antenna element. Furthermore, a tunable frequency response circuit is electrically connected to the tuning conductor. By implementing the antenna system in this manner, antenna characteristics of the antenna element can be controlled.

Abstract: Front end systems and related devices, integrated circuits, modules, and methods are disclosed. One such packaged module includes a multi-mode power amplifier circuit in an interior of a radio frequency shielding structure and an antenna external to the radio frequency shielding structure. The multi-mode power amplifier circuit includes a stacked output stage including a transistor stack of two or more transistors. The multi-mode power amplifier circuit also includes a bias circuit configured to control a bias of at least one transistor of the transistor stack based on a mode of the multi-mode power amplifier circuit. The radio frequency shielding structure can extend above a package substrate. The antenna can be on the package substrate. Other embodiments of front end systems are disclosed, along with related devices, integrated circuits, modules, methods, and components thereof.

Abstract: Reconfigurable antenna systems integrated with a metal case are provided herein. In certain embodiments, user equipment (UE) for a cellular network includes a metal case and an antenna system for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals. The antenna system includes a tuning conductor formed in the metal case, a patch antenna element that is spaced apart from the tuning conductor, and a switch electrically connected in series between the tuning conductor and a ground voltage. The switch electrically connects the tuning conductor to the ground voltage in an on state and electrically disconnects the tuning conductor from the ground voltage in an off state.

Abstract: Integrated Doherty power amplifiers are provided herein. In certain implementations, a Doherty power amplifier includes a carrier amplification stage that generates a carrier signal, a peaking amplification stage that generates a peaking signal, and an antenna structure that combines the carrier signal and the peaking signal. The antenna structure radiates a transmit wave in which the carrier signal and the peaking signal are combined with a phase shift.

Abstract: Reconfigurable antenna systems integrated with a metal case are provided herein. In certain embodiments, user equipment (UE) for a cellular network includes a metal case and an antenna system for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals. The antenna system includes a tuning conductor formed in the metal case, a patch antenna element that is spaced apart from the tuning conductor, and a switch electrically connected in series between the tuning conductor and a ground voltage. The switch electrically connects the tuning conductor to the ground voltage in an on state and electrically disconnects the tuning conductor from the ground voltage in an off state.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reconfigurable antenna systems are provided herein. In certain configurations, an antenna system includes an antenna element, a tuning conductor adjacent to and spaced apart from the antenna element, and a switch electrically connected between the tuning conductor and a reference voltage, such as ground. The tuning conductor is operable to load the antenna element, and the switch selectively connects the tuning conductor to the reference voltage to provide tuning to the antenna element.

Abstract: A power amplifier impedance adjustment circuit is disclosed. In one aspect, the impedance adjustment circuit includes an input node configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from a power amplifier, an output node configured to provide the RF signal to an antenna switch die, a plurality of electrical components arranged between the input node and the output node, and at least one switch configured to selectively electrically connect at least one of the electrical components to the input node and the output node. For each state of the at least one switch, the impedance adjustment circuit is configured to adjust an impedance of the power amplifier from a natural tune point in a direction towards a target tuned impedance point when viewed on a Smith chart.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an impedance of a power amplifier of a radio frequency system for matching with an antenna switch die is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes connecting the power amplifier to the antenna switch die via an impedance adjustment circuit, the impedance adjustment circuit including an input node, an output node, a plurality of electrical components arranged between the input node and the output node, and at least one switch configured to selectively electrically connect at least one of the electrical components to the input node and the output node. The method further includes determining an Error Vector Magnitude of the radio frequency system for each of a plurality of states of the at least one switch, and controlling the at least one switch to enter the state of the plurality of states that minimizes the Error Vector Magnitude of the radio frequency system.

Abstract: Reconfigurable antenna systems integrated with a metal case are provided herein. In certain embodiments, user equipment (UE) for a cellular network includes a metal case and an antenna system for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals. The antenna system includes a tuning conductor formed in the metal case, a patch antenna element that is spaced apart from the tuning conductor, and a switch electrically connected in series between the tuning conductor and a ground voltage. The switch electrically connects the tuning conductor to the ground voltage in an on state and electrically disconnects the tuning conductor from the ground voltage in an off state.

Abstract: An antenna structure can include a printed circuit board module and a mold compound disposed on a side of the printed circuit board module. A planar antenna is defined by a conformal shield layer disposed on a first surface of the mold compound such that the mold compound is disposed between the printed circuit board module and the conformal shield layer. The thickness of the mold compound layer and the shape of the conformal shield layer can be varied to optimize a performance of the antenna.

Abstract: Reconfigurable antenna systems integrated with a metal case are provided herein. In certain embodiments, user equipment (UE) for a cellular network includes a metal case and an antenna system for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals. The antenna system includes an antenna element and a tuning conductor that is spaced apart from the antenna element and operable to load the antenna element. At least one of the antenna element or the tuning conductor is formed in the metal case. For example, a plasma process can be used to create transparent electromagnetic windows at a given frequency while shielding underlying components from spurious signals at other frequencies. Such plasma shielding processes can be used to turn conductive regions of the metal case into non-conductive metal oxide, thereby providing a mechanism for electrical isolation between various regions of the metal case.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a package with a conformal shield antenna includes forming a mold compound layer, attaching the mold compound layer to a printed circuit board, applying a conformal shield layer on a first surface of the mold compound layer, the mold compound layer disposed between the conformal shield layer and the printed circuit board module, and shaping the conformal shield layer to define a planar antenna structure. Optionally, the method includes forming a cavity in the mold compound layer, applying a cover layer over the cavity to enclose the cavity and hardening the cover layer.

Abstract: Front end systems and related devices, integrated circuits, modules, and methods are disclosed. One such packaged module includes a multi-mode power amplifier circuit in an interior of a radio frequency shielding structure and an antenna external to the radio frequency shielding structure. The multi-mode power amplifier circuit includes a stacked output stage including a transistor stack of two or more transistors. The multi-mode power amplifier circuit also includes a bias circuit configured to control a bias of at least one transistor of the transistor stack based on a mode of the multi-mode power amplifier circuit. The radio frequency shielding structure can extend above a package substrate. The antenna can be on the package substrate. Other embodiments of front end systems are disclosed, along with related devices, integrated circuits, modules, methods, and components thereof.

Abstract: Integrated Doherty power amplifiers are provided herein. In certain implementations, a Doherty power amplifier includes a carrier amplification stage that generates a carrier signal, a peaking amplification stage that generates a peaking signal, and an antenna structure that combines the carrier signal and the peaking signal. The antenna structure radiates a transmit wave in which the carrier signal and the peaking signal are combined with a phase shift.

Abstract: Reconfigurable antenna systems with ground tuning pads are provided herein. In certain configurations, an antenna system includes an antenna element, a first tuning conductor spaced apart from the antenna element on a first side of the antenna element, a second tuning conductor spaced apart from the antenna element on a second side of the antenna element, a first ground tuning pad configured to receive a ground voltage, and a first switch electrically connected between the first tuning conductor and the first ground tuning pad. The first switch is operable to selectively connect the first tuning conductor to the first ground tuning pad to thereby tune the antenna element.

Abstract: Front end systems and related devices, integrated circuits, modules, and methods are disclosed. One such packaged module includes a low noise amplifier in an interior of a radio frequency shielding structure and an antenna external to the radio frequency shielding structure. The low noise amplifier includes a first inductor, an amplification circuit, and a second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor to provide negative feedback to linearize the low noise amplifier. The radio frequency shielding structure can extend above a package substrate. The antenna can be on the package substrate. Other embodiments of front end systems are disclosed, along with related devices, integrated circuits, modules, methods, and components thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reconfigurable antenna systems are provided herein. In certain configurations, an antenna system includes an antenna element, a tuning conductor adjacent to and spaced apart from the antenna element, and a switch electrically connected between the tuning conductor and a reference voltage, such as ground. The tuning conductor is operable to load the antenna element, and the switch selectively connects the tuning conductor to the reference voltage to provide tuning to the antenna element.

Abstract: Integrated Doherty power amplifiers are provided herein. In certain implementations, a Doherty power amplifier includes a carrier amplification stage that generates a carrier signal, a peaking amplification stage that generates a peaking signal, and an antenna structure that combines the carrier signal and the peaking signal. The antenna structure radiates a transmit wave in which the carrier signal and the peaking signal are combined with a phase shift.