Standby voltage condition for fast RF amplifier bias recovery
First Claim
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1. A circuital arrangement comprising:
- a transistor stack configured to operate as an amplifier, the transistor stack comprising a plurality of stacked transistors comprising an input transistor and an output transistor, the transistor stack configured to operate between a first supply voltage coupled to the output transistor and a reference voltage coupled to the input transistor; and
a biasing circuit comprising a replica circuit of the transistor stack, the biasing circuit configured to provide an input gate biasing voltage to the input transistor and to a corresponding first transistor of the replica circuit, the replica circuit configured to operate between a second supply voltage coupled to a last transistor of the replica circuit in correspondence of the output transistor, and the reference voltage coupled to the first transistor;
wherein the circuital arrangement is configured to operate in at least a first mode and a second mode,wherein during operation in the first mode, the biasing circuit;
couples the last transistor of the replica circuit to the second supply voltage through a reference current source that generates a reference current, andregulates the input gate biasing voltage so as the reference current is conducted through the replica circuit, andwherein during operation in the second mode, the biasing circuit;
sets the input gate biasing voltage to a voltage so as essentially no current is conducted though the replica circuit,deactivates the reference current source, andcouples the last transistor of the replica circuit to the second supply voltage.
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Abstract
Various methods and circuital arrangements for biasing one or more gates of stacked transistors of an amplifier are possible where the amplifier is configured to operate in at least an active mode and a standby mode. Circuital arrangements can reduce bias circuit standby current during operation in the standby mode while allowing a quick recovery to normal operating conditions of the amplifier. Biasing an input transistor of the stacked transistors can be obtained by using a replica stack circuit.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A circuital arrangement comprising:
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a transistor stack configured to operate as an amplifier, the transistor stack comprising a plurality of stacked transistors comprising an input transistor and an output transistor, the transistor stack configured to operate between a first supply voltage coupled to the output transistor and a reference voltage coupled to the input transistor; and a biasing circuit comprising a replica circuit of the transistor stack, the biasing circuit configured to provide an input gate biasing voltage to the input transistor and to a corresponding first transistor of the replica circuit, the replica circuit configured to operate between a second supply voltage coupled to a last transistor of the replica circuit in correspondence of the output transistor, and the reference voltage coupled to the first transistor; wherein the circuital arrangement is configured to operate in at least a first mode and a second mode, wherein during operation in the first mode, the biasing circuit; couples the last transistor of the replica circuit to the second supply voltage through a reference current source that generates a reference current, and regulates the input gate biasing voltage so as the reference current is conducted through the replica circuit, and wherein during operation in the second mode, the biasing circuit; sets the input gate biasing voltage to a voltage so as essentially no current is conducted though the replica circuit, deactivates the reference current source, and couples the last transistor of the replica circuit to the second supply voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20)
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16. A method for biasing a transistor stack configured to operate as an amplifier using a replica circuit of the transistor stack, the method comprising:
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during a first mode of operation of the amplifier; generating a reference current through a current source; coupling, through the current source, a supply voltage to the replica circuit; regulating a biasing voltage of an input transistor of the transistor stack; based on the regulating, conducting the reference current though the replica circuit; and during a second mode of operation of the amplifier; setting the biasing voltage to a fixed value so as essentially no current is conducted through the replica circuit; deactivating the current source; and coupling the supply voltage to the replica circuit. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification