Abstract: Amplifiers with new circuit topologies for gain shaping and gain control are described herein. An example amplifier circuit with gain control includes a differential transistor pair, a main transistor pair coupled to the differential transistor pair, an auxiliary transistor pair coupled to the differential transistor pair, and a resistive impedance coupled between base terminals of the auxiliary transistor pair. The resistive impedance can include a pair of matched resistors coupled between base terminals of the auxiliary transistor pair. The amplifier can also include a capacitor coupled from a virtual ground node between the pair of matched resistors to ground. The amplifier circuits described herein can present a preferred gain response as compared to other amplifiers, at both midband and peaking frequencies. The amplifier circuits also offer additional options for control of gain at midband frequencies, among other benefits.

Abstract: Amplifiers with bias control for DC coupled single-ended distributed amplifiers of multi-stage amplifiers are described herein. An example amplifier with input bias control includes a distributed amplifier cell having an input coupled to a first distributed transmission line and an output coupled to a second distributed transmission line, an input coupling network coupled between the first distributed transmission line and the input of the distributed amplifier cell, and a bias interface circuit coupled between the input coupling network and the input of the distributed amplifier cell. The amplifier can also include a bias control circuit configured to control an amplifier input bias generated by the bias interface circuit at the input of the distributed amplifier cell.

Abstract: Amplifiers with temperature-adaptive gain and peaking gain control are described. An example semiconductor device includes an amplifier, a temperature sense circuit to provide a temperature control signal based on an operating temperature of the amplifier, and a level shifter to bias shift an output of the amplifier based on the temperature control signal. The level shifter can be further configured to adjust a peaking gain of the amplifier based on the temperature control signal in some cases.

Abstract: An enhanced electrical circuit can employ conductive fill components that can facilitate providing desirable resistive stabilization of the electrical circuit and other desirable circuit qualities without having to use a physical resistor. The electrical circuit can comprise a transmission line, which can be a microstrip line, that can have defined dimensions. The electrical circuit can comprise respective conductive fill components that can be in proximity to desired sides of the transmission line, wherein the respective conductive fill components can provide the desired resistive stabilization for the electrical circuit. The respective conductive fill components can be separated from, and not in contact with, each other based on respective gaps of a defined size(s) between respective adjacent conductive fill components. The respective conductive fill components can be across a single layer or multiple layers of conductive fill components.

Abstract: A distributed amplifier system comprising an impedance matching network configured to match an input impedance to an output impedance of the signal source, and a DC block configured to block DC components in the input signal. A variable gain amplifier adjusts the gain applied to the input signal based on a gain control signal to generate a gain adjusted signal. An emitter follower circuit receives and processes the gain adjusted signal to introduce gain peaking to create a modified signal. A distributed amplifier receives and amplifies the modified signal from the emitter follower circuit, to create an amplified signal. The distributed amplifier includes a termination network and one or more impedance matching elements configured for gain shaping the amplified signal. The gain peaking introduced by the emitter follower circuit is controlled by a variable current source. The distributed amplifier may be an open collector distributed amplifier.

Abstract: Amplifiers with temperature-adaptive gain and peaking gain control are described. In one example, a temperature-adaptive amplifier includes an amplifier, a temperature sense circuit, and a peaking control level shifter to bias shift the output of the amplifier and adjust a peaking gain of the amplifier based on the temperature control signal. The peaking control level shifter can adjust a peaking gain of the amplifier based on the temperature control signal. The temperature-adaptive control can help to compensate for peaking gain in amplifiers based on the operating temperature of the amplifier. The control can help to compensate for unwanted changes in amplifier peaking gain, over time, resulting in more consistent peaking gain over the full operating frequency range of amplifiers.

Abstract: A distributed amplifier system comprising an impedance matching network configured to match an input impedance to an output impedance of the signal source, and a DC block configured to block DC components in the input signal. A variable gain amplifier adjusts the gain applied to the input signal based on a gain control signal to generate a gain adjusted signal. An emitter follower circuit receives and processes the gain adjusted signal to introduce gain peaking to create a modified signal. A distributed amplifier receives and amplifies the modified signal from the emitter follower circuit, to create an amplified signal. The distributed amplifier includes a termination network and one or more impedance matching elements configured for gain shaping the amplified signal. The gain peaking introduced by the emitter follower circuit is controlled by a variable current source. The distributed amplifier may be an open collector distributed amplifier.

Abstract: Systems, circuits, and methods for amplifying signals are provided. An illustrative circuit may include an amplifier that amplifies an input signal received at an input node of the amplifier and provides an amplified version of the input signal as an output signal at an output node of the amplifier. The circuit may further include at least one Continuous-Time Linear Equalizer (CTLE) circuit component connected with the amplifier, the CTLE circuit component providing an ultra-wide dynamic peaking control range for the amplifier.

Abstract: Systems, circuits, and methods for a cross-coupled differential transistor amplifier. The cross-coupled transistor amplifier can be used in a multi-section amplifier, such as a 6-section differential distributed amplifier. Each cross coupled transistor includes a first transistor and a second transistor, wherein a drain of the first transistor is connected via at least one capacitor and at least one resistor to a gate of the second transistor, and a drain of the second transistor is connected via at least one additional capacitor and at least one additional resistor to a gate of the first transistor.

Abstract: An amplifier system with high gain, compact size, and extended bandwidth is disclosed. The amplifier system includes one or more inputs configured to receive one or more input signals and a pre-driver configured to receive the one or more input signals. The pre-driver may comprise source connected FETs which create a virtual ground and may include inductors which cancel or counter parasitic capacitance of the FETs. The pre-driver amplifies the one or more input signals to create one or more pre-amplified signals, which are provided to a voltage divider network configured to reduce a DC bias voltage of the one or more pre-amplified signals, while maintaining a wide bandwidth range. An amplifier receives and amplifies the output of the voltage divider network to create amplified signals. The amplifier may comprise mirrored FET pairs in a common source configuration and a common gate arrangement.

Abstract: A dc coupled amplifier includes a pre-driver, and amplifier and a bias control circuit. The pre-driver is configured to receive one or more input signals and amplify the one or more input signals to create one or more pre-amplified signals. The amplifier has cascode configured transistors configured to receive and amplify the one or more pre-amplified signals to create one or more amplified signals, the amplifier further having an output driver termination element. The bias control circuit is connected between the pre-driver and the amplifier, the bias control circuit receiving at least one bias current from the output driver termination element of the amplifier, wherein the pre-driver, the amplifier and the bias control circuit are all formed on a same die.

Abstract: Amplifiers with temperature-adaptive gain and peaking gain control are described. In one example, a temperature-adaptive amplifier includes an amplifier, a temperature sense circuit, and a peaking control level shifter to bias shift the output of the amplifier and adjust a peaking gain of the amplifier based on the temperature control signal. The peaking control level shifter can adjust a peaking gain of the amplifier based on the temperature control signal. The temperature-adaptive control can help to compensate for peaking gain in amplifiers based on the operating temperature of the amplifier. The control can help to compensate for unwanted changes in amplifier peaking gain, over time, resulting in more consistent peaking gain over the full operating frequency range of amplifiers.

Abstract: A distributed amplifier system comprising an impedance matching network configured to match an input impedance to an output impedance of the signal source, and a DC block configured to block DC components in the input signal. A variable gain amplifier adjusts the gain applied to the input signal based on a gain control signal to generate a gain adjusted signal. An emitter follower circuit receives and processes the gain adjusted signal to introduce gain peaking to create a modified signal. A distributed amplifier receives and amplifies the modified signal from the emitter follower circuit, to create an amplified signal. The distributed amplifier includes a termination network and one or more impedance matching elements configured for gain shaping the amplified signal. The gain peaking introduced by the emitter follower circuit is controlled by a variable current source. The distributed amplifier may be an open collector distributed amplifier.

Abstract: A distributed amplifier system comprising an impedance matching network configured to match an input impedance to an output impedance of the signal source, and a DC block configured to block DC components in the input signal. A variable gain amplifier adjusts the gain applied to the input signal based on a gain control signal to generate a gain adjusted signal. An emitter follower circuit receives and processes the gain adjusted signal to introduce gain peaking to create a modified signal. A distributed amplifier receives and amplifies the modified signal from the emitter follower circuit, to create an amplified signal. The distributed amplifier includes a termination network and one or more impedance matching elements configured for gain shaping the amplified signal. The gain peaking introduced by the emitter follower circuit is controlled by a variable current source. The distributed amplifier may be an open collector distributed amplifier.

Abstract: A distributed amplifier system comprising an impedance matching network configured to match an input impedance to an output impedance of the signal source, and a DC block configured to block DC components in the input signal. A variable gain amplifier adjusts the gain applied to the input signal based on a gain control signal to generate a gain adjusted signal. An emitter follower circuit receives and processes the gain adjusted signal to introduce gain peaking to create a modified signal. A distributed amplifier receives and amplifies the modified signal from the emitter follower circuit, to create an amplified signal. The distributed amplifier includes a termination network and one or more impedance matching elements configured for gain shaping the amplified signal. The gain peaking introduced by the emitter follower circuit is controlled by a variable current source. The distributed amplifier may be an open collector distributed amplifier.

Abstract: A distributed amplifier system comprising an impedance matching network configured to match an input impedance to an output impedance of the signal source, and a DC block configured to block DC components in the input signal. A variable gain amplifier adjusts the gain applied to the input signal based on a gain control signal to generate a gain adjusted signal. An emitter follower circuit receives and processes the gain adjusted signal to introduce gain peaking to create a modified signal. A distributed amplifier receives and amplifies the modified signal from the emitter follower circuit, to create an amplified signal. The distributed amplifier includes a termination network and one or more impedance matching elements configured for gain shaping the amplified signal. The gain peaking introduced by the emitter follower circuit is controlled by a variable current source. The distributed amplifier may be an open collector distributed amplifier.

Abstract: An enhanced electrical circuit can employ conductive fill components that can facilitate providing desirable resistive stabilization of the electrical circuit and other desirable circuit qualities without having to use a physical resistor. The electrical circuit can comprise a transmission line, which can be a microstrip line, that can have defined dimensions. The electrical circuit can comprise respective conductive fill components that can be in proximity to desired sides of the transmission line, wherein the respective conductive fill components can provide the desired resistive stabilization for the electrical circuit. The respective conductive fill components can be separated from, and not in contact with, each other based on respective gaps of a defined size(s) between respective adjacent conductive fill components. The respective conductive fill components can be across a single layer or multiple layers of conductive fill components.

Abstract: Amplifiers with temperature-adaptive gain and peaking gain control are described. In one example, a temperature-adaptive amplifier includes an amplifier, a temperature sense circuit, and a peaking control level shifter to bias shift the output of the amplifier and adjust a peaking gain of the amplifier based on the temperature control signal. The peaking control level shifter can adjust a peaking gain of the amplifier based on the temperature control signal. The temperature-adaptive control can help to compensate for peaking gain in amplifiers based on the operating temperature of the amplifier. The control can help to compensate for unwanted changes in amplifier peaking gain, over time, resulting in more consistent peaking gain over the full operating frequency range of amplifiers.

Abstract: An amplifier system with high gain, compact size, and extended bandwidth is disclosed. The amplifier system includes one or more inputs configured to receive one or more input signals and a pre-driver configured to receive the one or more input signals. The pre-driver may comprise source connected FETs which create a virtual ground and may include inductors which cancel or counter parasitic capacitance of the FETs. The pre-driver amplifies the one or more input signals to create one or more pre-amplified signals, which are provided to a voltage divider network configured to reduce a DC bias voltage of the one or more pre-amplified signals, while maintaining a wide bandwidth range. An amplifier receives and amplifies the output of the voltage divider network to create amplified signals. The amplifier may comprise mirrored FET pairs in a common source configuration and a common gate arrangement.

Abstract: An amplifier system with high gain, compact size, and extended bandwidth is disclosed. The amplifier system includes one or more inputs configured to receive one or more input signals and a pre-driver configured to receive the one or more input signals. The pre-driver may comprise source connected FETs which create a virtual ground and may include inductors which cancel or counter parasitic capacitance of the FETs. The pre-driver amplifies the one or more input signals to create one or more pre-amplified signals, which are provided to a voltage divider network configured to reduce a DC bias voltage of the one or more pre-amplified signals, while maintaining a wide bandwidth range. An amplifier receives and amplifies the output of the voltage divider network to create amplified signals. The amplifier may comprise mirrored FET pairs in a common source configuration and a common gate arrangement.