Abstract: A concentric capacitor structure generally comprising concentric capacitors is disclosed. Each concentric capacitor comprises a first plurality of perimeter plates formed on a first layer of a substrate and a second plurality of perimeter plates formed on a second layer of the substrate. The first plurality of perimeter plates extend in a first direction and the second plurality of perimeter plates extend in a second direction different than the first direction. A first set of the first plurality of perimeter plates is electrically coupled to a first set of the second plurality of perimeter plates and a second set of the first plurality of perimeter plates is electrically coupled to a second set of the second plurality of perimeter plates. A plurality of capacitive cross-plates are formed in the first layer such that each cross-plate overlaps least two of the second plurality of perimeter plates.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that includes a first cross-coupled transistor pair, a second cross-coupled transistor pair, at least one capacitance unit, and an inductive unit. The first cross-coupled transistor pair and second cross-coupled transistor pair are coupled to a pair of first output nodes and a pair of second output nodes, respectively. The at least one capacitance unit is coupled to at least one of the pair of first output nodes and the pair of second output nodes. The inductive unit is coupled to the first cross-coupled transistor pair at the first output nodes and coupled to the second cross-coupled transistor pair at the second output nodes. The inductive unit generates mutual magnetic coupling between one of the first output nodes and one of the second output nodes and between the other of the first output nodes and the other of the second output nodes.

Abstract: A filter auto-calibration system comprises a multi-clock module that includes a multi-clock generator configured to generate a first variable frequency signal based on a channel setting, the multi-clock generator comprising a quadrature signal generator configured to generate an in-phase component and a quadrature component of the first variable frequency signal; and a mixer configured to generate an in-phase component and a quadrature component of a quadrature signal from a received signal other than the first variable frequency signal. The system also comprises at least one filter to be calibrated, and an auto-calibration control module coupled to the multi-clock module and the at least one filter, the auto-calibration control module configured to receive the in-phase component and quadrature component of the first variable frequency signal from the multi-clock module, and configured to control calibration of the at least one filter based on the channel setting.

Abstract: A varactor includes at least one semiconductor fin, a first gate, and a second gate physically disconnected from the first gate. The first gate and the second gate form a first FinFET and a second FinFET, respectively, with the at least one semiconductor fin. The source and drain regions of the first FinFET and the second FinFET are interconnected to form the varactor.

Abstract: A capacitor structure comprising semiconductor substrate and a matrix of capacitor units formed over the semiconductor substrate each capacitor unit. The matrix includes an interior structure comprised of one or more vertical plates, each vertical plate of the interior structure formed from a plurality of conductive portions connected vertically to each other, an exterior structure comprised of one or more vertical plates, each vertical plate of the exterior structure formed from a plurality of conductive portions connected vertically to each other, the exterior structure substantially encompassing the interior structure, and insulative material separating the interior and exterior structures. The structure also comprises a switching mechanism included in the capacitor structure to switch between ones of the plural capacitor units.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method to reduce voltage headroom within a voltage-controlled oscillator by utilizing trifilar coupling or transformer feedback with a capacitive coupling technique. In some embodiments of trifilar coupling, a VCO comprises cross-coupled single-ended oscillators, wherein the voltage of first gate within a first single-ended oscillator is separated from the voltage of a second drain within a second single-ended oscillator within the cross-coupled pair.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an inductive element, and variable capacitors. Each variable capacitor includes: first and third capacitors, both having a first terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of the inductive element; and second and fourth capacitors, both having a first terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the inductive element. A first switch circuit electrically connects or isolates a second terminal of the first capacitor to/from a second terminal of the second capacitor. A second switch circuit electrically connects or isolates a second terminal of the third capacitor to/from a second terminal of the fourth capacitor. A third switch circuit electrically connects or isolates the second terminal of the first capacitor to/from the second terminal of the fourth capacitor. A fourth switch circuit electrically connects or isolates the second terminal of the third capacitor to/from the second terminal of the second capacitor.

Abstract: A filter auto-calibration system includes a multi-clock module. The multi-clock module includes a multi-clock generator that is configured to generate a clock signal with a variable frequency based on a channel setting. There is at least one filter to be calibrated. An auto-calibration control module is configured to control calibration of the at least one filter based on the channel setting. The multi-clock module is configured to supply the variable frequency clock signal to the at least one filter and to the auto-calibration control module, and the at least one filter is coupled to the auto-calibration control module.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first inductor formed on a first substrate; a second inductor formed on a second substrate and conductively coupled with the first inductor as a transformer; and a plurality of micro-bump features configured between the first and second substrates. The plurality of micro-bump features include a magnetic material having a relative permeability substantially greater than one and are configured to enhance coupling between the first and second inductors.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a first resonator circuit, a second resonator circuit, a first current path and a second current path. A drain of the first transistor is coupled to a gate of the second transistor and to a first end of the first resonator circuit. A source of the first transistor is coupled to the first current path and to a first end of the second resonator circuit. A drain of the second transistor is coupled to a gate of the first transistor and to a second end of the first resonator circuit. A source of the second transistor is coupled to the second current path and a second end of the second resonator circuit.

Abstract: An up-conversion mixer includes a mixer cell having at least one output node configured to generate an output. The up-conversion mixer further includes a first cascaded transconductance input stage coupled to the mixer cell, the first cascaded transconductance input stage configured to receive an input signal and to reduce a third order harmonic of the output. The up-conversion mixer further includes a second cascaded transconductance input stage coupled to the mixer cell, the second cascaded transconductance input stage configured to receive the input signal and to reduce a third order harmonic of the output.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises first, second and third inductors connected in series and formed in a metal layer over a semiconductor substrate. The first and second inductors have a mutual inductance with each other. The second and third inductors having a mutual inductance with each other. A first capacitor has a first electrode connected to a first node. The first node is conductively coupled between the first and second inductors. A second capacitor has a second electrode connected to a second node. The second node is conductively coupled between the second and third inductors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first inductor formed on a first substrate; a second inductor formed on a second substrate and conductively coupled with the first inductor as a transformer; and a plurality of micro-bump features configured between the first and second substrates. The plurality of micro-bump features include a magnetic material having a relative permeability substantially greater than one and are configured to enhance coupling between the first and second inductors.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an up-conversion mixer includes a mixer cell having an output node arranged to provide an output. An input stage is coupled to the mixer cell and arranged to receive an input signal. The mixer cell is configured to generate the output with an up-converted frequency compared to an input frequency of the input signal. The input stage is configured to reduce a third order harmonic term of the output so that an output power plot of the third order harmonic term with respect to an input power has a notch with a local minimum.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises first, second and third inductors connected in series and formed in a metal layer over a semiconductor substrate. The first and second inductors have a mutual inductance with each other. The second and third inductors having a mutual inductance with each other. A first capacitor has a first electrode connected to a first node. The first node is conductively coupled between the first and second inductors. A second capacitor has a second electrode connected to a second node. The second node is conductively coupled between the second and third inductors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first inductor formed on a first substrate; a second inductor formed on a second substrate and conductively coupled with the first inductor as a transformer; and a plurality of micro-bump features configured between the first and second substrates. The plurality of micro-bump features include a magnetic material having a relative permeability substantially greater than one and are configured to enhance coupling between the first and second inductors.

Abstract: A voltage-controlled oscillator circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a first resonator circuit, a second resonator circuit, a first current path and a second current path. A drain of the first transistor is coupled to a gate of the second transistor and to a first end of the first resonator circuit. A source of the first transistor is coupled to the first current path and to a first end of the second resonator circuit. A drain of the second transistor is coupled to a gate of the first transistor and to a second end of the first resonator circuit. A source of the second transistor is coupled to the second current path and a second end of the second resonator circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for efficient time slicing including a phase lock loop circuit having a voltage controlled oscillator, an auto-frequency calibration circuit coupled with the phase lock loop circuit configured to output a value to select a range of the voltage controlled oscillator, and a burst mode detector connected with the auto-frequency calibration circuit. The burst mode detector having a register adapted to store the output of the auto-frequency calibration circuit.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an up-conversion mixer includes a mixer cell having an output node arranged to provide an output. An input stage is coupled to the mixer cell and arranged to receive an input signal. The mixer cell is configured to generate the output with an up-converted frequency compared to an input frequency of the input signal. The input stage is configured to reduce a third order harmonic term of the output so that an output power plot of the third order harmonic term with respect to an input power has a notch with a local minimum.

Abstract: A circuit includes an oscillator circuit including a first oscillator and a second oscillator. The first and the second oscillators are configured to generate signal having a same frequency and different phases. A transmission line is coupled between the first and the second oscillators.