Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first radio frequency (RF) signal path and a second RF signal path. The first RF signal path can provide a first RF signal when active and the second RF signal path can provide a second RF signal when active. The second RF signal path can include a matching network with a load impedance configured to prevent a resonance in the second RF signal path due to coupling with the first RF signal path when the first RF signal path is active.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to linear load modulated power amplifiers. A power amplifier (PA) system can include a divider that splits a signal into two portions, a first portion directed to an attenuator that attenuates the first portion so that the first portion and the second portion have different powers and a second portion directed to a phase shift component that shifts a phase of the second portion so that the first portion and the second portion have different phases. The PA system can also include a Doherty amplifier circuit where a carrier amplifier amplifies the attenuated first portion and a peaking amplifier amplifies the phase-shifted second portion. The carrier amplifier includes a Class AB driver stage and a Class B output. The peaking amplifier includes a Class B driver stage a Class B output stage.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a power amplification system can include a common base amplifier configured to amplify an input signal received at an input node to generate an intermediate signal at an intermediate node. The power amplification system can further include a power amplifier configured to amplify the intermediate signal received at the intermediate node to generate an output signal at an output node.

Abstract: Impedance matching circuit for radio-frequency amplifier. In some embodiments, an impedance matching circuit can include a primary metal trace having a first end configured to be capable of being coupled to a voltage source for the power amplifier, and a second end configured to be capable of being coupled to an output of the power amplifier. The impedance matching circuit can further include a secondary metal trace having first end coupled to the second end of the primary metal trace, and a second end configured to be capable of being coupled to an output node. The impedance matching circuit can further include a capacitance implemented between the first and second ends of the secondary metal trace, and be configured to trap a harmonic associated with an amplified signal at the output of the power amplifier.

Abstract: A coupler is presented that has high-directivity and low coupling coefficient variation. The coupler includes a first trace with a first edge substantially parallel to a second edge and substantially equal in length to the second edge. The first trace includes a third edge substantially parallel to a fourth edge. The fourth edge is divided into three segments. The outer segments are a first distance from the third edge. The middle segment is a second distance from the third edge. Further, the coupler includes a second trace, which includes a first edge substantially parallel to a second edge and substantially equal in length to the second edge. The second trace includes a third edge substantially parallel to a fourth edge. The fourth edge is divided into three segments. The outer segments are a first distance from the third edge. The middle segment is a second distance from the third edge.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first radio frequency (RF) signal path and a second RF signal path. The first RF signal path can provide a first RF signal when active and the second RF signal path can provide a second RF signal when active. The second RF signal path can include a matching network with a load impedance configured to prevent a resonance in the second RF signal path due to coupling with the first RF signal path when the first RF signal path is active.

Abstract: Signal isolation for module with ball grid array. In some embodiments, a packaged module can include a packaging substrate having an underside, and an arrangement of conductive features implemented on the underside of the packaging substrate to allow the packaged module to be capable of being mounted on a circuit board. The arrangement of conductive features can include a signal feature implemented at a first region and configured for passing of a signal, and one or more shielding features placed at a selected location relative to the signal feature to provide an enhanced isolation between the signal feature and a second region of the underside of the packaging substrate.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a packaging substrate and a die on the packaging substrate. The die includes an integrated passive device and a contact providing an electrical connection to the integrated passive device. A conductive trace of the packaging substrate is in an electrical path between the contact of the die and a ground potential. Such an integrated passive device and conductive trace can be included in a matching network configured to receive an amplified radio frequency signal from a power amplifier, for example. The packaging substrate can be, for example, a laminate substrate.

Abstract: Power amplification system is disclosed. A power amplification system can include a Class-E push-pull amplifier including a transformer balun. The power amplification can further include a reactance compensation circuit coupled to the transformer balun. In some embodiments, the reactance compensation circuit is configured to reduce variation over frequency of a fundamental load impedance of the power amplification system.

Abstract: Power amplification system with common base pre-amplifier. A power amplification system can include a common base amplifier configured to amplify an input radio-frequency (RF) signal received at an input node to generate an intermediate RF signal at an intermediate node. The power amplification system can further include a power amplifier configured to amplify the intermediate RF signal received at the intermediate node to generate an output RF signal at an output node.

Abstract: Power amplification system is disclosed. A power amplification system can include a Class-E push-pull amplifier including a transformer balun. The power amplification can further include a reactance compensation circuit coupled to the transformer balun. In some embodiments, the reactance compensation circuit is configured to reduce variation over frequency of a fundamental load impedance of the power amplification system.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to linear load modulated power amplifiers. A power amplifier (PA) system can include a divider that splits a signal into two portions, a first portion directed to an attenuator that attenuates the first portion so that the first portion and the second portion have different powers and a second portion directed to a phase shift component that shifts a phase of the second portion so that the first portion and the second portion have different phases. The PA system can also include a Doherty amplifier circuit where a carrier amplifier amplifies the attenuated first portion and a peaking amplifier amplifies the phase-shifted second portion. The carrier amplifier includes a Class AB driver stage and a Class B output. The peaking amplifier includes a Class B driver stage a Class B output stage.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods related to stacked band selection switch devices. In some embodiments, an RF module can include a packaging substrate and a power amplifier (PA) assembly implemented on a PA die mounted on the packaging substrate. The RF module can further include an output matching network (OMN) device mounted on the packaging substrate and a band selection switch device mounted on the OMN device. The OMN device can be configured to provide output matching functionality for at least a portion of the PA assembly.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a packaging substrate and a die on the packaging substrate. The die includes an integrated passive device and a contact providing an electrical connection to the integrated passive device. A conductive trace of the packaging substrate is in an electrical path between the contact of the die and a ground potential. Such an integrated passive device and conductive trace can be included in a matching network configured to receive an amplified radio frequency signal from a power amplifier, for example. The packaging substrate can be, for example, a laminate substrate.

Abstract: A coupler is presented that has high-directivity and low coupling coefficient variation. The coupler includes a first trace with a first edge substantially parallel to a second edge and substantially equal in length to the second edge. The first trace includes a third edge substantially parallel to a fourth edge. The fourth edge is divided into three segments. The outer segments are a first distance from the third edge. The middle segment is a second distance from the third edge. Further, the coupler includes a second trace, which includes a first edge substantially parallel to a second edge and substantially equal in length to the second edge. The second trace includes a third edge substantially parallel to a fourth edge. The fourth edge is divided into three segments. The outer segments are a first distance from the third edge. The middle segment is a second distance from the third edge.

Abstract: Circuits and methods related to radio-frequency (RF) power couplers. In some embodiments, an RF circuit can include a first circuit having a frequency response that includes a feature within a selected frequency range, and a second circuit coupled to the first circuit such that the feature of the frequency response is at least in part due to the coupling. The RF circuit can further include an adjustment circuit configured to move the feature away from the selected frequency range. In some embodiments, such an RF circuit can be implemented in a packaged module which in turn can be included in a wireless device.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to linear load modulated power amplifiers. A power amplifier (PA) system can include an input circuit configured to receive a radio-frequency (RF) signal and split the RF signal into a first portion and a second portion. The PA system can further include a Doherty amplifier circuit including a carrier amplifier coupled to the input circuit to receive the first portion and a peaking amplifier coupled to the input circuit to receive the second portion. The first portion and the second portion can have different phases and/or different powers. The PA system can further include an output circuit coupled to the Doherty amplifier circuit. The output circuit can be configured to combine outputs of the carrier amplifier and the peaking amplifier to yield an amplified RF signal.

Abstract: Impedance matching circuit for radio-frequency amplifier. In some embodiments, an impedance matching circuit can include a primary metal trace having a first end configured to be capable of being coupled to a voltage source for the power amplifier, and a second end configured to be capable of being coupled to an output of the power amplifier. The impedance matching circuit can further include a secondary metal trace having first end coupled to the second end of the primary metal trace, and a second end configured to be capable of being coupled to an output node. The impedance matching circuit can further include a capacitance implemented between the first and second ends of the secondary metal trace, and be configured to trap a harmonic associated with an amplified signal at the output of the power amplifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to linear and efficient broadband power amplifiers are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method for amplifying a radio-frequency signal includes providing a Doherty amplifier circuit having a carrier amplification path and a peaking amplification path. The method includes receiving an radio-frequency signal and splitting the radio-frequency signal into a first portion and a second portion, the first portion provided to the carrier amplification path, the second portion provided to the peaking amplification path. The method further includes combining, using a balance to unbalance circuit, outputs of the carrier amplification path and the peaking amplification path to yield an amplified radio-frequency signal.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods related to stacked band selection switch devices. In some embodiments, an RF module can include a packaging substrate and a power amplifier (PA) assembly implemented on a PA die mounted on the packaging substrate. The RF module can further include an output matching network (OMN) device mounted on the packaging substrate and a band selection switch device mounted on the OMN device. The OMN device can be configured to provide output matching functionality for at least a portion of the PA assembly.