摘要:
An amplifier with multiple stages and having improved reliability is described. The multiple amplifier stages are coupled in parallel and include at least one switchable amplifier stage. Each switchable amplifier stage may be operated in an on state or an off state and includes a gain transistor and a cascode transistor. The gain transistor amplifies an input signal and provides an amplified signal in the on state and is disabled in the off state. The cascode transistor buffers the amplified signal and provides an output signal in the on state and is disabled based on an off voltage in the off state. The off voltage may be greater than zero volts or may have one of multiple possible values. The off voltage may be generated based on an output signal level, e.g., may be set to different values for different ranges of output signal level.
摘要:
A receiver includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) and multiple pairs of mixers. The LNA receives and amplifies an LNA input signal and provides at least one LNA output signal. Each pair of mixers downconverts one of the at least one LNA output signal when enabled. Each pair of mixers may be selectively enabled or disabled, e.g., based on a mode selected from among multiple modes. In one design, the LNA includes multiple load sections coupled in parallel. Each load section may be selectively enabled or disabled, e.g., based on the selected mode. In one design, first and second pairs of mixers and first and second load sections may be enabled for a high linearity mode. The first pair of mixers and the first load section may be enabled and the second pair of mixers and the second load section may be disabled for a low linearity mode.
摘要:
An amplifier having a first transistor with an output coupled to a common output node and a switch for coupling a control electrode of the first transistor to a first bias source to bias such first transistor to a conducting state during a relatively high power operating mode or for removing such control electrode from the first bias source to place the first transistor in a non-conducting condition during a relatively low power operating mode selectively in accordance with a control signal. A second transistor has an output coupled to the common output node and a second bias source coupled to a control electrode to the second transistor to bias such second transistor to a conducting state during both the relatively high power operating mode and the relatively low power operating mode.
摘要:
Techniques for biasing an amplifier (200) using a replica circuit (220) are disclosed. In an embodiment, a replica circuit (220) having substantially the same topology and sizing as a push-pull amplifier circuit is coupled to a main push-pull amplifier circuit (200). A transistor (MPlR) in the replica circuit (220) may be biased using feedback to generate a predetermined DC output voltage level, and such bias level may be applied to a corresponding transistor (MPl) in the main push-pull amplifier circuit (200). In another embodiment, a transistorMnlB) in a current bias module (210) may be used to bias corresponding transistorsMnl, MnPR) in the main push-pull amplifier circuit (300) and the replica circuit (220). Further techniques are disclosed for configuring the amplifier to have a non-uniform step size with finer resolution at lower power levels and coarser resolution at higher power levels to reduce power consumption at lower power levels.
摘要:
A system and method of improving the power efficiency of a receiver for low duty cycle applications. In one aspect, the receiver includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) that is capable of being enabled in a relatively quick fashion so as to amplify an incoming signal when needed, and then being disabled to set the LNA in a low power consumption mode. In particular, the LNA includes a pair of complimentary devices, and an enable circuit adapted to quickly cause the complimentary devices to conduct substantially the same current. In another aspect, a bias voltage generating apparatus is provided that uses a residual voltage from a prior operation to establish the current bias voltage for the LNA. In particular, the apparatus includes a controller adapted to tune an adjustable capacitor to a capacitance based on a residual voltage applied to a fixed capacitor, and couple the capacitors together to establish the bias voltage.