Patents by Inventor Ryan M Pratt
Ryan M Pratt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9014647Abstract: Methods for directional coupler termination impedance control are provided. In one embodiment, a method for termination impedance selection of a directional coupler in a power amplifier module is provided. The method includes determining at least one of a power mode or a frequency band of operation of the power amplifier module. The method further includes selecting a termination impedance of the directional coupler based on the determination using at least one switch.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Philip A Kitching, David K Homol, Gary W Sadowniczak, Ryan M Pratt
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Publication number: 20130293316Abstract: Methods for directional coupler termination impedance control are provided. In one embodiment, a method for termination impedance selection of a directional coupler in a power amplifier module is provided. The method includes determining at least one of a power mode or a frequency band of operation of the power amplifier module. The method further includes selecting a termination impedance of the directional coupler based on the determination using at least one switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Philip A. Kitching, David K. Homol, Gary W. Sadowniczak, Ryan M. Pratt
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Patent number: 8421438Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for diffusion sensing are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) switch and a switch sense block. The switch includes a gate, a drain, a source, and a well. The source and drain are formed in the well. The gate is formed adjacent the well between the source and drain, and the source is configured to receive a bias voltage from a power amplifier. The switch sense block is configured to measure a signal indicative of the voltage of at least one of the source or drain voltage of the switch and to generate an output signal based on the measurement.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Ryan M Pratt, Karl J Couglar, David K Homol
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Patent number: 8417196Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for directional coupling are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a directional coupler, a termination impedance, a switch, and a control block. The directional coupler includes a power input terminal, a power output terminal, a couple terminal and a terminate terminal. The power input terminal can receive a radio frequency signal from a power amplifier, and the power output terminal can be electrically connected to a load. The switch has an ON state and an OFF state, and includes an input electrically connected to the terminate terminal and an output electrically connected to the termination impedance. The switch is configured to provide a relatively low impedance path between the input and the output when in the ON state and to provide a relatively high impedance path between the input and the output when in the OFF state. The control block can set the state of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Philip A Kitching, David K Homol, Gary W Sadowniczak, Ryan M Pratt
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Patent number: 8368463Abstract: Disclosed are voltage distribution device and method for controlling CMOS-based devices for switching radio frequency (RF) signals. In certain RF devices such as mobile phones, providing different amplification modes can yield performance advantages. For example, a capability to transmit at low and high power modes typically results in an extended battery life, since the high power mode can be activated only when needed. Switching between such amplification modes can be facilitated by one or more switches formed in an integrated circuit and configured to route RF signal to different amplification paths. In certain embodiments, such RF switches can be formed as CMOS devices, and can be based on triple-well structures. In certain embodiments, various bias voltages applied to such a CMOS RF switch can be facilitated by a voltage distribution component.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David K. Homol, Ryan M. Pratt, Hua Wang
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Patent number: 8369805Abstract: Disclosed are high linearity CMOS-based devices capable of passing large signal and quiescent power amplifier current for switching radio frequency (RF) signals, and methods for biasing such devices. In certain RF devices such as mobile phones, providing different amplification modes can yield performance advantages. For example, a capability to transmit at low and high power modes typically results in an extended battery life, since the high power mode can be activated only when needed. Switching between such amplification modes can be facilitated by one or more switches formed in an integrated circuit and configured to route RF signal to different amplification paths. In certain embodiments, such RF switches can be formed as CMOS devices, and can be based on triple-well structures.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David K. Homol, Ryan M. Pratt
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Publication number: 20110298280Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing regulated voltages are disclosed. Using a single voltage regulator, a plurality of regulated voltages can be generated with a voltage distribution function. In addition, variable voltage control elements can be used to adjust a regulated voltage, thereby providing a variable regulated voltage. Together, voltage distribution and variable voltage control can create variable voltage distribution of regulated voltages. These regulated voltages can be used in a variety of applications, for example, as a bias voltage for a power amplifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, IncInventors: David K. Homol, Karl J. Couglar, Ryan M. Pratt
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Publication number: 20110298444Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for diffusion sensing are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) switch and a switch sense block. The switch includes a gate, a drain, a source, and a well. The source and drain are formed in the well. The gate is formed adjacent the well between the source and drain, and the source is configured to receive a bias voltage from a power amplifier. The switch sense block is configured to measure a signal indicative of the voltage of at least one of the source or drain voltage of the switch and to generate an output signal based on the measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Ryan M. Pratt, Karl J. Couglar, David K. Homol
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Publication number: 20110298435Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing regulated voltages are disclosed. Using a single voltage regulator, a plurality of regulated voltages can be generated with a voltage distribution function. These regulated voltages can be used in a variety of applications, for example, as a bias voltage for a power amplifier. In addition, the distributed regulated voltages can implement a variety of functions, such as selectively enabling or disabling power amplifiers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David K. Homol, Ryan M. Pratt
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Publication number: 20110298432Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing variable regulated voltages are disclosed. Variable voltage control elements can adjust a regulated voltage provided by a single voltage regulator, thereby providing a variable regulated voltage. The regulated voltage can be used in a variety of applications, for example, as a bias voltage for a power amplifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, IncInventors: Karl J. Couglar, Ryan M. Pratt
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Publication number: 20110300898Abstract: Disclosed are high linearity CMOS-based devices capable of passing large signal and quiescent power amplifier current for switching radio frequency (RF) signals, and methods for biasing such devices. In certain RF devices such as mobile phones, providing different amplification modes can yield performance advantages. For example, a capability to transmit at low and high power modes typically results in an extended battery life, since the high power mode can be activated only when needed. Switching between such amplification modes can be facilitated by one or more switches formed in an integrated circuit and configured to route RF signal to different amplification paths. In certain embodiments, such RF switches can be formed as CMOS devices, and can be based on triple-well structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: David K. Homol, Ryan M. Pratt
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Publication number: 20110298537Abstract: Disclosed are voltage distribution device and method for controlling CMOS-based devices for switching radio frequency (RF) signals. In certain RF devices such as mobile phones, providing different amplification modes can yield performance advantages. For example, a capability to transmit at low and high power modes typically results in an extended battery life, since the high power mode can be activated only when needed. Switching between such amplification modes can be facilitated by one or more switches formed in an integrated circuit and configured to route RF signal to different amplification paths. In certain embodiments, such RF switches can be formed as CMOS devices, and can be based on triple-well structures. In certain embodiments, various bias voltages applied to such a CMOS RF switch can be facilitated by a voltage distribution component.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: David K. Homol, Ryan M. Pratt, Hua Wang
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Publication number: 20110298559Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for directional coupling are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a directional coupler, a termination impedance, a switch, and a control block. The directional coupler includes a power input terminal, a power output terminal, a couple terminal and a terminate terminal. The power input terminal can receive a radio frequency signal from a power amplifier, and the power output terminal can be electrically connected to a load. The switch has an ON state and an OFF state, and includes an input electrically connected to the terminate terminal and an output electrically connected to the termination impedance. The switch is configured to provide a relatively low impedance path between the input and the output when in the ON state and to provide a relatively high impedance path between the input and the output when in the OFF state. The control block can set the state of the switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Philip A. Kitching, David K. Homol, Gary W. Sadowniczak, Ryan M. Pratt
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Patent number: 8008970Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for enabled switch detection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) switch having a gate, a drain, a source, and a well. The source and drain are formed in the well, and the gate is formed adjacent the well between the source and drain. The source is configured to receive a radio frequency signal from a first power amplifier. The apparatus further includes a switch enable detect block configured to compare a signal indicative of the gate voltage of the first switch to a first reference signal and to generate an output comparison signal based at least partly on the comparison. The apparatus further includes a power amplifier bias control block configured to enable the first power amplifier based at least partly on the output comparison signal from the switch sense block.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: David K. Homol, Karl J Couglar, Hua Wang, Ryan M Pratt