Abstract: Methods and apparatus for limiting the input voltage (swing) of a power amplifier, such as a power amplifier in a radio frequency (RF) front-end of a wireless device. One example radio frequency front-end circuit generally includes a power amplifier, a matching circuit having an output coupled to an input of the power amplifier, and an overvoltage protection circuit coupled to the matching circuit. With an overvoltage protection circuit coupled to the matching circuit in this manner, the power amplifier may have enhanced ruggedness performance.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit includes a driver amplifier implemented on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal, a bypass circuit implemented on the SOI substrate and configured to selectively bypass the driver amplifier, an output coupled to the driver amplifier and the bypass circuit, an interconnect configured to couple the output to a gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate, and a power amplifier implemented on the GaAs substrate and configured to amplify a signal received over the interconnect from the output.

Abstract: A circuit including a radio frequency (RF) amplifier including a transistor configured to receive an RF signal at its control terminal, a capacitor coupled to a first terminal of the transistor, an inductor coupled to a second terminal of the transistor, wherein the capacitor and inductor form a loop from the first terminal to the second terminal, wherein the loop bypasses a parasitic inductance between the second terminal and ground.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for operating a power amplifier. In one example, the apparatus includes a power amplifier configured to amplify an input signal having a frequency to produce a radio frequency (RF) output signal at an output and a harmonic tuning circuit coupled between a power supply and the power amplifier output, the harmonic tuning circuit configured to reduce a current or voltage provided to the power amplifier via a resonance at one or more harmonics of the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for operating a power amplifier. In one example, the apparatus includes a power amplifier configured to amplify an input signal having a frequency to produce a radio frequency (RF) output signal at an output and a harmonic tuning circuit coupled between a power supply and the power amplifier output, the harmonic tuning circuit configured to reduce a current or voltage provided to the power amplifier via a resonance at one or more harmonics of the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: A circuit including a radio frequency (RF) amplifier including a transistor configured to receive an RF signal at its control terminal, a capacitor coupled to a first terminal of the transistor, an inductor coupled to a second terminal of the transistor, wherein the capacitor and inductor form a loop from the first terminal to the second terminal, wherein the loop bypasses a parasitic inductance between the second terminal and ground.

Abstract: A device includes a first circuit path coupled to a first node and a second node, the first circuit path having at least one first varactor circuit configured to receive a first tuning voltage, the first circuit path having a resistor with a selectable value, and a second circuit path coupled to the first node and the second node, the second circuit path having at least one second varactor circuit configured to receive a second tuning voltage, the second circuit path having a capacitor with a selectable value.

Abstract: Techniques for improving the linearity of radio-frequency (RF) front-end switches. In an aspect, open-loop techniques are disclosed for superimposing the output voltage of one or more negative rectifiers on a negative substrate bias voltage to reduce the non-linearities associated with voltage-dependent substrate leakage current. In another aspect, closed-loop techniques are further disclosed for maintaining the substrate bias voltage close to a reference voltage. Exemplary embodiments of the circuit blocks are further described.

Abstract: A device includes a first circuit path coupled to a first node and a second node, the first circuit path having at least one first varactor circuit configured to receive a first tuning voltage, the first circuit path having a resistor with a selectable value, and a second circuit path coupled to the first node and the second node, the second circuit path having at least one second varactor circuit configured to receive a second tuning voltage, the second circuit path having a capacitor with a selectable value.

Abstract: Techniques for improving the linearity of radio-frequency (RF) front-end switches. In an aspect, open-loop techniques are disclosed for superimposing the output voltage of one or more negative rectifiers on a negative substrate bias voltage to reduce the non-linearities associated with voltage-dependent substrate leakage current. In another aspect, closed-loop techniques are further disclosed for maintaining the substrate bias voltage close to a reference voltage. Exemplary embodiments of the circuit blocks are further described.

Abstract: Techniques for efficiently integrating directional coupler circuitry with other circuit elements of an RF front end. In an aspect, one or more inductors of an RF front end filter is incorporated into a first inductor of the directional coupler, and a capacitor is further coupled in parallel with the first inductor. In another aspect, circuitry associated with matching components of the RF front end may further be incorporated into the directional coupler design. Further techniques are provided for coupling directivity tuning elements to a second inductor of the directional coupler to improve the linearity of the coupler over other tuning techniques.

Abstract: A low power BPSK demodulator having a simple architecture, compact design and reliable is provided. The BPSK demodulator includes a first branch (210) having a first mixer (212) and a first low pass filter (214), a second branch (220) coupled to the first branch at the output of the first low pass filter (214) and input of the first mixer (212) and having a second mixer (222), and a third branch (230) coupled to the second branch at the input and output of the second mixer (222) and having a third mixer (232) a second low pass filter (234) and a voltage control oscillator (236), wherein the third branch and the second branch form a charge pumped based phase lock loop that locks onto a carrier frequency of the BPSK demodulator.

Abstract: A low power BPSK demodulator having a simple architecture, compact design and reliable is provided. The BPSK demodulator includes a first branch (210) having a first mixer (212) and a first low pass filter (214), a second branch (220) coupled to the first branch at the output of the first low pass filter (214) and input of the first mixer (212) and having a second mixer (222), and a third branch (230) coupled to the second branch at the input and output of the second mixer (222) and having a third mixer (232) a second low pass filter (234) and a voltage control oscillator (236), wherein the third branch and the second branch form a charge pumped based phase lock loop that locks onto a carrier frequency of the BPSK demodulator.