Having Transformer Patents (Class 330/276)
  • Patent number: 8098095
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power amplifier. The power amplifier includes N power amplification means, a transformer, and a harmonic elimination unit. Each of the N power amplification means amplifies an input signal into a predetermined level. The transformer includes N/2 primary windings respectively connected to the output terminals of the power amplification means and a secondary winding configured such that coil elements are connected in series between an output terminal and a ground, and sums power transmitted from the primary windings. The harmonic elimination unit is disposed across both ends of the secondary winding of the transformer, and eliminates the output of the harmonic frequencies of a preset frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joong Jin Nam, Youn Suk Kim, Hyo Gun Bae, Jae Hyouck Choi, Jun Goo Won, Young Jean Song, Ki Joong Kim, Sang Hee Kim
  • Publication number: 20120001692
    Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Abbas Komijani, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott D. Kee, Ichiri Aoki
  • Publication number: 20110309884
    Abstract: An RF power amplifier includes a first amplifier module comprising a first push-pull amplifier including a first plurality of field effect transistors and a first output transformer. An output impedance of the first amplifier module is 25 ohms. A second amplifier module includes a second push-pull amplifier including a second plurality of field effect transistors and a second output transformer. An output impedance of the second amplifier module is 25 ohms. A combiner is connected to the first amplifier module and the second amplifier module. The combiner combines an output from the first amplifier module and an output from the second amplifier module into a combined signal. An output impedance of the combiner is 50 ohms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: Steven M. Dishop
  • Patent number: 8049564
    Abstract: A power amplifier formed by a plurality of pairs of transistors, each pair including a first transistor and a second transistor having each a respective input terminal and a respective output terminal. The output terminals of the first and second transistors of each pair are connected to an output distributed active transformer connected to a differential output of the power amplifier. The input terminals of the first and second transistors of each pair are connected to an input distributed active transformer connected to an input of the power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Andrea Pallotta
  • Patent number: 8049563
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a distributed power amplifier topology and device that efficiently and economically enhances the power output of an RF signal to be amplified. The power amplifier comprises a plurality of push-pull amplifiers interconnected in a novel circular geometry that preferably function as a first winding of an active transformer having signal inputs of adjacent amplification devices driven with an input signal of equal magnitude and opposite phase. The topology also discloses the use of a secondary winding that matches the geometry of primary winding and variations thereof that serve to efficiently combine the power of the individual power amplifiers. The novel architecture enables the design of low-cost, fully-integrated, high-power amplifiers in the RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ichiro Aoki, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, David B. Ruthledge, Scott D. Kee
  • Publication number: 20110248782
    Abstract: A reduction is achieved in the primary-side input impedance of a transformer (voltage transformer) as an output matching circuit without involving a reduction in Q-factor. An RF power amplifier includes transistors, and a transformer as the output matching circuit. The transformer has a primary coil and a secondary coil which are magnetically coupled to each other. To the input terminals of the transistors, respective input signals are supplied. The primary coil is coupled to each of the output terminals of the transistors. From the secondary coil, an output signal is generated. The primary coil includes a first coil and a second coil which are coupled in parallel between the respective output terminals of the transistors, and each magnetically coupled to the secondary coil. By the parallel coupling of the first and second coils of the primary coil, the input impedance of the primary coil is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Kondo, Yoshikuni Matsunaga, Kenta Seki, Satoshi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8031003
    Abstract: An RF power amplifier includes a push-pull amplifier having field effect transistors. Temperature compensating bias circuitry provides a temperature compensated bias voltage to the transistors for decreasing the bias voltage thereof as temperature increases. The temperature compensating bias circuitry includes a temperature sensor generating a temperature signal. A first amplifier provides a first temperature dependent voltage based on the temperature signal. A second amplifier provides a second temperature dependent voltage based on the temperature signal. The first and second temperature dependent voltages change at substantially the same rate in response to the temperature signal. A potentiometer receives the first and second temperature dependent voltages such that a voltage across the potentiometer remains substantially constant when the first and second temperature dependent voltages change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Steven M. Dishop
  • Patent number: 8022776
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to coupled circuits and methods of coupling circuits having a power supply wherein a plurality of transistors are inductively coupled directly to the power supply for providing a single DC supply voltage directly to each of the plurality of transistors, and wherein a plurality of transformers have primary and secondary windings, the primary and secondary windings providing, at least in part, inductive loads for inductively coupling the plurality of transistors to the power supply, the plurality of transformers also providing an AC signal path for coupling neighboring ones of the plurality of transistors together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mau-Chung Frank Chang, Daquan Huang, Tim Richard LaRocca
  • Patent number: 8022762
    Abstract: There is provided a multi-stage CMOS power amplifier including: a driver amplifier having differential output terminals, inverting differential signals input through first and second input terminals and outputting the respective inverted signals through the differential output terminals; a transformer for power matching having a primary coil connected between the differential output terminals of the driver amplifier and a secondary coil coupled with the primary coil using electromagnetic induction, having a predetermined turns ratio to the primary coil, and connected to a direct current (DC) tuning voltage terminal; and a power amplifier power-amplifying differential signals passing through one end and the other end of the secondary coil of the transformer and outputting the respective power-amplified differential signals through first and second output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youn Suk Kim, Hyo Gun Bae, Joong Jin Nam, Jun Goo Won, Ki Joong Kim
  • Patent number: 8018283
    Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Abbas Komijani, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7990220
    Abstract: A reduction is achieved in the primary-side input impedance of a transformer (voltage transformer) as an output matching circuit without involving a reduction in Q-factor. An RF power amplifier includes transistors, and a transformer as the output matching circuit. The transformer has a primary coil and a secondary coil which are magnetically coupled to each other. To the input terminals of the transistors, respective input signals are supplied. The primary coil is coupled to each of the output terminals of the transistors. From the secondary coil, an output signal is generated. The primary coil includes a first coil and a second coil which are coupled in parallel between the respective output terminals of the transistors, and each magnetically coupled to the secondary coil. By the parallel coupling of the first and second coils of the primary coil, the input impedance of the primary coil is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Kondo, Yoshikuni Matsunaga, Kenta Seki, Satoshi Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7915960
    Abstract: An integrated power combiner is disclosed. The power combiner includes a first circular geometry primary winding having one or more inductive elements, such as an active winding with one or more driver stages. A circular geometry secondary winding is disposed adjacent to the first primary winding, such as an active winding with one or more driver stages. A second circular geometry primary winding is disposed adjacent to the secondary winding and has one or more inductive elements. One or more connections are provided between one or more of the inductive elements of the first circular geometry primary winding and one or more of the inductive elements of the second circular geometry primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Axiom Microdevices, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki, Hui Wu, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Frank Carr, Rahul Magoon, Alexandre Kral, Afshin Mellati, Florian Bohn, Donald McClymont
  • Publication number: 20110050344
    Abstract: An output stage (1) for a digital RF transmitter is provided. The output stage comprises: an input adapted to receive an input signal (RFin, b7-b0) to be transmitted; a plurality N of power amplification sections (S1, S2, S3, S4); and an output (A, B) providing an output voltage signal. Each of the N power amplification sections (S1, S2, S3, S4) is arranged to receive the input signal (RFin, b7-b0) and comprises a transformer (T1, T2, T3, T4) adapted to provide a respective output signal. Each transformer comprises a primary stage and a secondary stage; the secondary stages of the transformers (T1, T2, T3, T4) of the N power amplification sections (S1, S2, S3, S4) are combined such that a combined output voltage signal of the output stage is provided. The N power amplification sections (S1, S2, S3, S4) are adapted such that the input signal (RFin, b7-b0) is latched by clock signals (clock1, clock2, clock3, clock4) comprising different phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Xin He, Manel Collados Asensio, Nenad Pavlovic, Jan Van Sinderen
  • Patent number: 7898340
    Abstract: A power amplifier includes a transistor, a transmission line transformer, and a capacitor. The transistor is operable to receive a signal and to generate an amplified signal. The transistor has a source, a drain, and a gate. The gate has a first impedance and is operable to receive the signal to be amplified. The transmission line transformer has a first, second, third, and fourth port, the first port being coupled to the gate of the transistor and the third port, and the fourth port being coupled to a source device having a second impedance. The capacitor has a first end and a second end. The first end of the capacitor is coupled to the second port of the transmission line transformer and the second end is coupled to a ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: John G. Heston, Jon Mooney
  • Patent number: 7889009
    Abstract: A distributed active transformer (DAT) based millimeter-wave (MMW) power amplifier circuit is designed for power amplification of MMW frequency signals. The proposed MMW power amplifier circuit is characterized by distributing the input frequency signals into two sets of differential signals and by the use of a distributed active transformer circuit unit to process these two sets of differential signals to thereby generate an amplified frequency signal as the end result of output. The invention provides higher and greater added values and power added efficiency (PAE) and is ideal for use in millimeter-wave communications systems with an operation frequency around 60 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Yung-Nien Jen, Jeng-Han Tsai, Tian-Wei Huang, Huei Wang, Che-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 7876162
    Abstract: An amplifier includes: a substrate; first to fourth amplifying units arranged on the substrate and each having first and second terminals, and each amplifying first and second signals to generate first and second amplified signals; a first inductive line arranged on the substrate, connecting the first terminal of the first amplifying unit and the first terminal of the second amplifying unit, and having a linear portion and a bending portion; a second inductive line arranged on the substrate, connecting the second terminal of the second amplifying unit and the first terminal of the third amplifying unit, and having a linear portion and a bending portion; a third inductive line arranged on the substrate, connecting the second terminal of the third amplifying unit and the first terminal of the fourth amplifying unit, and having a linear portion and a bending portion; a fourth inductive line arranged on the substrate, connecting the second terminal of the fourth amplifying unit and the second terminal of the firs
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kohei Onizuka, Masahiro Hosoya, Hiroaki Ishihara, Shoji Otaka, Osamu Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7863986
    Abstract: Techniques for improving the quality factor (“Q”) of a balun in the presence of loading stages are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the ground node of a balun secondary (single-ended) element is connected to a source node of an amplifier stage via a common ground node. The connection may be made physically short to minimize any parasitic elements. In another exemplary embodiment, the common ground node may be coupled to an off-chip ground voltage via a peaking inductor. The peaking inductor may be implemented on-chip, e.g., as a spiral inductor, or off-chip e.g., using bondwires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporation
    Inventors: Chiewcharn Narathong, Sankaran Aniruddhan
  • Publication number: 20100244962
    Abstract: A distributed active transformer (DAT) based millimeter-wave (MMW) power amplifier circuit is designed for power amplification of MMW frequency signals. The proposed MMW power amplifier circuit is characterized by distributing the input frequency signals into two sets of differential signals and by the use of a distributed active transformer circuit unit to process these two sets of differential signals to thereby generate an amplified frequency signal as the end result of output. The invention provides higher and greater added values and power added efficiency (PAE) and is ideal for use in millimeter-wave communications systems with an operation frequency around 60 GHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yung-Nien Jen, Jeng-Han Tsai, Tian-Wei Huang, Huei Wang, Che-Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 7777570
    Abstract: A transformer power combiner having a plurality of input ports and an output port is provided. The transformer power combiner includes a plurality of primary winding conductors and a plurality of secondary winding conductors. The primary winding conductors are electrically connected to the input ports, respectively; in addition, each of the primary winding conductors is electrically connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of a corresponding input port. The secondary winding conductors are magnetically coupled to the primary winding conductors, respectively. The secondary winding conductors are configured in a topology including series connection and parallel connection between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Mediatek Inc.
    Inventor: Jie-Wei Lai
  • Patent number: 7768350
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes multiple gain stages to receive and amplify a differential input signal at different common mode voltages. The stages each may include a pair of linear NMOS gain transistors coupled to a primary coil of a given output transformer. One of the stages may include commonly coupled terminals coupled to a center tap of the primary coil of an output transformer of another stage, and a supply current provided to one of the stages is re-used for the other stage(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Javelin Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Vishnu Srinivasan, David E. Bockelman
  • Patent number: 7760025
    Abstract: An integrated power combiner is disclosed. The power combiner includes a first circular geometry primary winding having one or more inductive elements, such as an active winding with one or more driver stages. A circular geometry secondary winding is disposed adjacent to the first primary winding, such as an active winding with one or more driver stages. A second circular geometry primary winding is disposed adjacent to the secondary winding and has one or more inductive elements. One or more connections are provided between one or more of the inductive elements of the first circular geometry primary winding and one or more of the inductive elements of the second circular geometry primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Axiom Microdevices, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Kee, Ichiro Aoki, Hui Wu, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Frank Carr, Rahul Magoon, Alexandre Kral, Afshin Mellati, Florian Bohn, Donald McGlymont
  • Publication number: 20100164628
    Abstract: A power amplifier formed by a plurality of pairs of transistors, each pair including a first transistor and a second transistor having each a respective input terminal and a respective output terminal. The output terminals of the first and second transistors of each pair are connected to an output distributed active transformer connected to a differential output of the power amplifier. The input terminals of the first and second transistors of each pair are connected to an input distributed active transformer connected to an input of the power amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.
    Inventor: Andrea Pallotta
  • Publication number: 20100156537
    Abstract: An RF power amplifier includes a push-pull amplifier having field effect transistors. Temperature compensating bias circuitry provides a temperature compensated bias voltage to the transistors for decreasing the bias voltage thereof as temperature increases. The temperature compensating bias circuitry includes a temperature sensor generating a temperature signal. A first amplifier provides a first temperature dependent voltage based on the temperature signal. A second amplifier provides a second temperature dependent voltage based on the temperature signal. The first and second temperature dependent voltages change at substantially the same rate in response to the temperature signal. A potentiometer receives the first and second temperature dependent voltages such that a voltage across the potentiometer remains substantially constant when the first and second temperature dependent voltages change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Steven M. Dishop
  • Publication number: 20100148872
    Abstract: A power amplifier amplifying and compositing differential signals and capable of suppressing harmonics is provided. The power amplifier includes first amplifiers amplifying a first input signal and a second input signal, which are differential signals, a first coil receiving the first input signal and the second input signal amplified by the first amplifiers, a second coil magnetically coupled with the first coil and outputting a composite signal of the amplified first input signal and second input signal, a third coil magnetically coupled with the second coil, and a first capacitor coupled between both ends of the third coil, wherein one end of the first capacitor is coupled to a ground node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Akihiko FURUKAWA, Tsuyoshi Kawakami, Yasuhiro Kagawa, Satoshi Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 7733183
    Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Abbas Komijani, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7724083
    Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a method and apparatus for providing high-speed, low signal power amplification. In an exemplary embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for providing a wideband amplification of a signal by forming a first transmission line in parallel with a second transmission line, each of the first transmission line and the second transmission line having a plurality of superconducting transmission elements, each transmission line having a transmission line delay; interposing a plurality of amplification stages between the first transmission line and the second transmission line, each amplification stage having an resonant circuit with a resonant circuit delay; and substantially matching the resonant circuit delay for at least one of the plurality of amplification stages with the transmission line delay of at least one of the superconducting transmission lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Quentin P. Herring, Donald Lynn Miller, John Xavier Przybysz
  • Publication number: 20100117737
    Abstract: A reduction is achieved in the primary-side input impedance of a transformer (voltage transformer) as an output matching circuit without involving a reduction in Q-factor. An RF power amplifier includes transistors, and a transformer as the output matching circuit. The transformer has a primary coil and a secondary coil which are magnetically coupled to each other. To the input terminals of the transistors, respective input signals are supplied. The primary coil is coupled to each of the output terminals of the transistors. From the secondary coil, an output signal is generated. The primary coil includes a first coil and a second coil which are coupled in parallel between the respective output terminals of the transistors, and each magnetically coupled to the secondary coil. By the parallel coupling of the first and second coils of the primary coil, the input impedance of the primary coil is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: RENESAS TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Masao KONDO, Yoshikuni MATSUNAGA, Kenta SEKI, Satoshi SAKURAI
  • Patent number: 7683718
    Abstract: An RF power amplifier includes first and second field effect transistors having a gate, a source, and a drain, having an output power rating of at least 200 watts, and operating with a drain-to-source voltage that is greater than 50 VDC. The transistors are configured as a push-pull amplifier. The amplifier further includes an RF signal input. A input transformer is connected to the RF signal input. The input transformer has respective balanced outputs connected to the gates of the transistors. A broadband output transformer has a first balanced input connected to the drain of one the transistors, and a second balanced input connected to the drain of the other transistor. The broadband output transformer has an input to output impedance ratio of 1:4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Steven M. Dishop
  • Patent number: 7508260
    Abstract: An amplifier is disclosed that contains a transistor (BJT), a switch (MOSFET), and a transformer. The collector of the BJT is connected to an end of the transformer while the base of the BJT is connected to a point between the ends of the transformer through the MOSFET. When the amplifier is in an active mode in which the amplifier has gain, signals supplied to the amplifier are provided to the transformer through the BJT. When the amplifier is in a bypass mode in which the amplifier does not have gain, signals supplied to the amplifier are provided to the transformer through the MOSFET and the BJT is turned off. The amplifier is designed such that the amplifier characteristics are optimized and then the MOSFET is connected to the transformer such that the input impedance of the amplifier is independent of the mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Amitava Das
  • Patent number: 7504883
    Abstract: An amplifier device including at least one operational amplifier, whereby a transformer is connected upstream from the input of the operational amplifier and the output signal of the operational amplifier or a signal generated from this output signal is fed back again to the input of the operational amplifier via a path with a predetermined resistance whereby the feedback signal is fed back before the input of the transformer whereby the transformer is designed or connected in a signal-inverting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Bollenbeck, Ralph Oppelt
  • Patent number: 7486141
    Abstract: A wide bandwidth, high power amplifier system for amplifying a signal in a radio frequency (RF) system in a specific bandwidth within the frequency range from 1 MHz to 100 GHz. The system includes a number of amplifier modules and an equal number of input transformers connected in series, with each input transformer providing an input signal to one amplifier module. It also includes an equal number of output transformers connected in series with each output transformer receiving an input signal from one amplifier module. The series of input transformers, the series of output transformers and the amplifier modules each provide an impedance matched approximately to the impedance of the RF system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Trex Enterprises Corp.
    Inventors: Ky-Hein Do, James Schellenberg, Kevin Miyashiro
  • Publication number: 20090002071
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a distributed power amplifier topology and device that efficiently and economically enhances the power output of an RF signal to be amplified. The power amplifier comprises a plurality of push-pull amplifiers interconnected in a novel circular geometry that preferably function as a first winding of an active transformer having signal inputs of adjacent amplification devices driven with an input signal of equal magnitude and opposite phase. The topology also discloses the use of a secondary winding that matches the geometry of primary winding and variations thereof that serve to efficiently combine the power of the individual power amplifiers. The novel architecture enables the design of low-cost, fully-integrated, high-power amplifiers in the RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Ichiro Aoki, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, David B. Rutledge, Scott David Kee
  • Patent number: 7471153
    Abstract: An integrated power combiner is disclosed. The power combiner includes a first circular geometry primary winding having one or more inductive elements, such as an active winding with one or more driver stages. A circular geometry secondary winding is disposed adjacent to the first primary winding, such as an active winding with one or more driver stages. A second circular geometry primary winding is disposed adjacent to the secondary winding and has one or more inductive elements. One or more connections are provided between one or more of the inductive elements of the first circular geometry primary winding and one or more of the inductive elements of the second circular geometry primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Axiom Microdevices, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki, Hui Wu, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Frank Carr, Rabul Magoon, Alexandre Kral, Afshin Mellati, Florian Bohn, Donald McClymont
  • Patent number: 7471156
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for eliminating unwanted signal power dissipation in balanced amplifier circuits and for prohibiting unwanted signal power from appearing at the balanced amplifier load is presented. Load impedances to the amplifier power output transistors are maintained very low at unwanted frequencies, and are at an operational impedance level at the fundamental frequency. An impedance network control concept is presented, which may be either manually or automatically implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc
    Inventors: Bruce M. Thompson, Robert E. Stengel
  • Patent number: 7432793
    Abstract: An output filter for an audio amplifier includes a printed circuit board having at least one aperture extending through the printed circuit board. The output filter includes a first coil winding formed on a layer of the printed circuit board. The first coil winding substantially surrounds the first aperture. A magnetic core includes at least one leg. The at least one leg passes through the at least one aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Michael B. Nussbaum
  • Patent number: 7425869
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a distributed power amplifier topology and device that efficiently and economically enhances the power output of an RF signal to be amplified. The power amplifier comprises a plurality of push-pull amplifiers interconnected in a novel circular geometry that preferably function as a first winding of an active transformer having signal inputs of adjacent amplification devices driven with an input signal of equal magnitude and opposite phase. The topology also discloses the use of a secondary winding that matches the geometry of primary winding and variations thereof that serve to efficiently combine the power of the individual power amplifiers. The novel architecture enables the design of low-cost, fully-integrated, high-power amplifiers in the RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ichiro Aoki, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, David B. Ruthledge, Scott David Kee
  • Publication number: 20080204139
    Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Abbas Komijani, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7372336
    Abstract: A small-sized on-chip complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) Power Amplifier having improved efficiency is provided herein. The on-chip CMOS power amplifier is capable of improving efficiency and maximizing output thereof by enhancing a K factor, which may cause a problem in a power amplifier having a distributed active transformer structure. The on-chip CMOS power amplifier having an improved efficiency and being fabricated in a small size, the on-chip CMOS power amplifier includes a primary winding located at a first layer, secondary windings located at a second layer, which is an upper part of the first layer, the secondary windings being located corresponding to a position of the primary winding, and a cross section for coupling the second windings with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Sup Lee, Hyun-Il Kang, Seong-Soo Lee, Holger Lothar, Ju-Hyun Ko, Dong-Hyun Baek, Song-Cheol Hong
  • Patent number: 7358815
    Abstract: Monolithic transformer based amplifier for integrated circuits. The amplifier includes an input transformer with a first impedance transforming ratio. The input transformer includes a coupled line structure. An amplification circuit is coupled to the input transformer. The amplifier also includes an output transformer with a second impedance transforming ratio that is coupled to the amplification circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Kohei Fujii
  • Patent number: 7330076
    Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Abbas Komijani, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott D. Kee, Ichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7321752
    Abstract: A system and method to optimize the efficiency of an amplifier device is provided by the including a non-linear amplifier in a mobile radio device. A phase displaced signal in relation to the input signal is respectively produced in the amplifier device with a non-linear power amplifier and in a plurality of push-pull successive phase modifiers, and the outputs of the phase modifier are connected by a passive component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventor: Jörg Walbracht
  • Patent number: 7301400
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including a multi-phase DC-DC converter for controlling a supply voltage provided to a power amplifier in the transmit chain. In general, the multi-phase DC-DC converter includes a multi-phase converter control system and a multi-phase power train. The multi-phase converter control system generates a plurality of control signals based on a set-point voltage and a supply voltage at the output of the multi-phase DC-DC converter. The plurality of control signals are provided to the multi-phase control system which generates a plurality of currents each based on a corresponding one of the plurality of control signals. The plurality of currents charge an output capacitor such that an average voltage across the output capacitor is the desired supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: David Dening
  • Patent number: 7260377
    Abstract: A multi-stage amplifier assembly configured to receive a terrestrial digital television (“DTV”) input signal including multiple frequency channels. The amplifier assembly optionally includes a PIN diode coupled across differential inputs to a first stage of the multi-stage amplifier assembly. The PIN diode is controlled to attenuate the input when an exceptionally large signal is present in a channel adjacent to a desired channel. The PIN diode, essentially a variable resistor, permits the multi-stage amplifier assembly to maintain dynamic range in such situations for reasonable tradeoffs. The amplifier assembly further optionally includes an out-of-band second stage LNA. The amplifier assembly further optionally includes a multi-band input filter. The multi-band filer insures that the AGC operates on the TV band of interest, thus improving the linearity of the system. The invention can be implemented in CMOS and/or SiGe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Burns, Charles Brooks, Leonard Dauphinee
  • Patent number: 7230488
    Abstract: An amplifying circuit, which generates a compensation current based on a detection result of a leakage current flowing between an AC power source for supplying power and a power converting circuit section, includes a main amplifier having transistors and a correction amplifier connected in parallel to the main amplifier. Capacitors are connected between each base of transistors, forming the main amplifier and the correction amplifier, and a ground line, and between an output terminal of the correction amplifier and the ground line, respectively, and an impedance ratio of these capacitors is adjusted, thereby adjusting an amplification ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mamoru Tsuruya
  • Patent number: 7173488
    Abstract: A vacuum tube power amplifier with a user-operable switch and a single output transformer which selectively provides push-pull or single ended configurations for driving a loudspeaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Mesa Boogie
    Inventor: Randall C. Smith
  • Patent number: 7119619
    Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Abbas Komijani, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott D. Kee, Ichiri Aoki
  • Patent number: 7075371
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a distributed power amplifier topology and device that efficiently and economically enhances the power output of an RF signal to be amplified. The power amplifier comprises a plurality of push-pull amplifiers interconnected in a novel circular geometry that preferably function as a first winding of an active transformer having signal inputs of adjacent amplification devices driven with an input signal of equal magnitude and opposite phase. The topology also discloses the use of a secondary winding that matches the geometry of primary winding and variations thereof that serve to efficiently combine the power of the individual power amplifiers. The novel architecture enables the design of low-cost, fully-integrated, high-power amplifiers in the RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ichiro Aoki, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, David B. Rutledge, Scott David Kee
  • Patent number: 7053714
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus contemplate: an output transformer having at least first and second separate primary windings and at least one secondary winding, each winding including a first (in phase) end and a second (out of phase) end; at least first and second active elements, each having at least a pair of power terminals and a control terminal, one power terminal of each active element being coupled to a common node; and a switching circuit operable to change a circuit configuration of the first and second primary windings and the active elements between a class A mode and a class A/B mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Peavey Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: John Calvin Fields, Hartley D. Peavey
  • Patent number: 7053713
    Abstract: A switching multi-phase DC-DC converter is provided that includes a current feedback loop for each phase of the multi-phase converter and a voltage feedback loop providing a set-point to each of the current feedback loops. The combination of the current feedback loops and the voltage feedback loop operates to balance the currents in each of the phases of the multi-phase DC-DC converter such that the currents have substantially the same magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: David Dening
  • Patent number: 6856199
    Abstract: Reconfigurable distributed active transformers are provided. The exemplary embodiments provided allow changing of the effective number and configuration of the primary and secondary windings, where the distributed active transformer structures can be reconfigured dynamically to control the output power levels, allow operation at multiple frequency bands, maintain a high performance across multiple channels, and sustain desired characteristics across process, temperature and other environmental variations. Integration of the distributed active transformer power amplifiers and a low noise amplifier on a semiconductor substrate can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Abbas Komijani, Seyed-Ali Hajimiri, Scott D. Kee, Ichiri Aoki