Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) that having a VCO core coupled to a filtered current source includes setting an oscillation frequency of the VCO core based on a tuning signal received at a tuning signal input; and setting a resonant frequency of the filtered current source based on the received tuning signal using a tuning circuit having an input directly connected to the tuning signal input.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) includes generating a first oscillating signal in a first VCO core and generating a second oscillating signal in a second VCO core, such that the first oscillating signal and the second oscillating signal have a same frequency and a fixed phase offset. The VCO includes the first VCO core and the second VCO core, and each VCO core includes a pair of transistors. The VCO also includes a transformer having a first winding coupled between control nodes of the pair of transistors of the first VCO core and a second winding coupled between control nodes of the pair of transistors of the second VCO core.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) that having a VCO core coupled to a filtered current source includes setting an oscillation frequency of the VCO core based on a tuning signal received at a tuning signal input; and setting a resonant frequency of the filtered current source based on the received tuning signal using a tuning circuit having an input directly connected to the tuning signal input

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes receiving a first differential logic signal using a first branch of a circuit that extends from a voltage supply of the circuit as far as an earth terminal of the circuit and has at least one first differential transistor pair, receiving a second differential logic signal using a second branch of the circuit that extends from the voltage supply to the earth terminal and has at least one second differential transistor pair, conducting a current flow between the first branch and the second branch, and outputting an output signal by the second branch.

Abstract: Coupling apparatuses, circuits having such coupling apparatuses and corresponding methods are provided that involve a first and a second signal being coupled out from an out-coupling circuit part and being separately coupled into first and second circuit pmts. The use of different coupling mechanisms effects signal separation in this case. In particular, one of the signals can be coupled as a differential signal and the other as a common mode signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for operating a radio frequency (RF) transceiver includes frequency-translating, using a local oscillator signal having a calibrated phase shift, a signal received at an antenna of an RF transceiver; filtering the frequency-translated signal using a programmable filter of the RF transceiver to produce a filtered frequency-translated signal; and changing a cutoff frequency of the programmable filter from a first cutoff frequency to a second cutoff frequency in response to the RF transceiver switching operation from a first mode to a second mode.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) includes generating a first oscillating signal in a first VCO core and generating a second oscillating signal in a second VCO core, such that the first oscillating signal and the second oscillating signal have a same frequency and a fixed phase offset. The VCO includes the first VCO core and the second VCO core, and each VCO core includes a pair of transistors. The VCO also includes a transformer having a first winding coupled between control nodes of the pair of transistors of the first VCO core and a second winding coupled between control nodes of the pair of transistors of the second VCO core.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for operating a radio frequency (RF) transceiver includes frequency-translating, using a local oscillator signal having a calibrated phase shift, a signal received at an antenna of an RF transceiver; filtering the frequency-translated signal using a programmable filter of the RF transceiver to produce a filtered frequency-translated signal; and changing a cutoff frequency of the programmable filter from a first cutoff frequency to a second cutoff frequency in response to the RF transceiver switching operation from a first mode to a second mode.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes receiving a first differential logic signal using a first branch of a circuit that extends from a voltage supply of the circuit as far as an earth terminal of the circuit and has at least one first differential transistor pair, receiving a second differential logic signal using a second branch of the circuit that extends from the voltage supply to the earth terminal and has at least one second differential transistor pair, conducting a current flow between the first branch and the second branch, and outputting an output signal by the second branch.

Abstract: Coupling apparatuses, circuits having such coupling apparatuses and corresponding methods are provided that involve a first and a second signal being coupled out from an out-coupling circuit part and being separately coupled into first and second circuit pmts. The use of different coupling mechanisms effects signal separation in this case. In particular, one of the signals can be coupled as a differential signal and the other as a common mode signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a differential directional coupler includes a first coupler having a first transformer comprising a first input coil and a first output coil, and a second coupler having a second transformer comprising a second input coil and a second output coil. The first input coil and the second input coil each include an input port, the first transformer at least partially covers the second transformer in a top view from a vertical direction onto the differential directional coupler, and the first input coil and the second input coil are configured to be mirror symmetric with respect to one another in the top view with respect to their input ports.

Abstract: A device and method for testing a mixer. For testing, signals having essentially the same frequency are applied to local oscillator (LO) and radio frequency (RF) inputs of the mixer. The signals phase-shifted with respect to each other and an output of the mixer is measured to provide a result.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit, comprises a first amplifier stage contributing to a power of an amplified signal and a second amplifier stage contributing to the power of the amplified signal. The first amplifier stage and the second amplifier stage share a transistor.

Abstract: An amplifier operates to provide a high output impedance at an output through a push stage having a first transistor of a first transistor type and a pull stage having a second transistor of a second transistor type that is different from the first transistor type. The first transistor and the second transistor are coupled in a common-gate configuration. The first transistor and the second transistor are shorted together via a capacitor coupled to an input and share a common current path as a push-pull current-reusing common-gate low noise amplifier with a broadband input matching.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for crosstalk reduction in a coupled transmission line on a multilayer structure. The coupled transmission line provides a high frequency signal such as from a local oscillator to an electronic component such as a mixer. The signal carried by the coupled transmission line may be buffered and asymmetrically tapped. The coupled transmission line may have individual parallel lines extending in the direction of current flow. The lines may carry current in opposite directions. Each line contains strips and/or is disposed on a different metallization layer. Strips on each metallization layer (before being routed to another metallization layer) may carry current in opposite directions and overlying strips on different metallization layers may carry current in opposite directions. Multiple strips of an individual line present on a single metallization layer may be disposed symmetrically around a centerline of the coupled transmission line.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for crosstalk reduction in a coupled transmission line on a multilayer structure. The coupled transmission line provides a high frequency signal such as from a local oscillator to an electronic component such as a mixer. The signal carried by the coupled transmission line may be buffered and asymmetrically tapped. The coupled transmission line may have individual parallel lines extending in the direction of current flow. The lines may carry current in opposite directions. Each line contains strips and/or is disposed on a different metallization layer. Strips on each metallization layer (before being routed to another metallization layer) may carry current in opposite directions and overlying strips on different metallization layers may carry current in opposite directions. Multiple strips of an individual line present on a single metallization layer may be disposed symmetrically around a centerline of the coupled transmission line.

Abstract: An amplifier operates to provide a high output impedance at an output through a push stage having a first transistor of a first transistor type and a pull stage having a second transistor of a second transistor type that is different from the first transistor type. The first transistor and the second transistor are coupled in a common-gate configuration. The first transistor and the second transistor are shorted together via a capacitor coupled to an input and share a common current path as a push-pull current-reusing common-gate low noise amplifier with a broadband input matching.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit, comprises a first amplifier stage contributing to a power of an amplified signal and a second amplifier stage contributing to the power of the amplified signal. The first amplifier stage and the second amplifier stage share a transistor.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a low-noise amplifier (LNA) having a balun configuration. The LNA includes a DC current path coupling a first DC supply node to a second DC supply node. First and second output nodes and first and second input nodes are spaced apart along a length of the DC current path. A single-ended radio frequency (RF) input terminal is configured to deliver a single-ended RF signal to the first and second input nodes. A differential RF output terminal is made up of the first and second output nodes. The first and second output nodes are configured to cooperatively establish a differential output signal based on the single-ended RF signal. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present disclosure relate to a low-noise amplifier (LNA) having a balun configuration. The LNA includes a DC current path coupling a first DC supply node to a second DC supply node. First and second output nodes and first and second input nodes are spaced apart along a length of the DC current path. A single-ended radio frequency (RF) input terminal is configured to deliver a single-ended RF signal to the first and second input nodes. A differential RF output terminal is made up of the first and second output nodes. The first and second output nodes are configured to cooperatively establish a differential output signal based on the single-ended RF signal. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.