Radio frequency amplifiers with an injection-locked oscillator driver stage and a stacked output stage
First Claim
1. A radio frequency amplifier comprising:
- an input terminal configured to receive a radio frequency input signal;
an output terminal configured to provide a radio frequency output signal;
a driver stage including an injection-locked oscillator configured to generate an injection-locked radio frequency signal based on the radio frequency input signal; and
a stacked output stage configured to amplify the injection-locked radio frequency signal to generate the radio frequency output signal, the stacked output stage including a transistor stack of at least a first transistor and a second transistor in series with one another, the stacked output stage having an adjustable supply voltage that changes with a mode of the radio frequency amplifier.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Radio frequency (RF) amplifiers, such as power amplifiers, are provided herein. In certain configurations, an RF amplifier includes an input terminal that receives an RF input signal, an output terminal that provides an RF output signal, an injection-locked oscillator driver stage that amplifies the RF input signal to generate an injection-locked RF signal, and a stacked output stage that further amplifies the injection-locked RF signal to generate the RF output signal. The stacked output stage includes a stack of at least a first transistor and a second transistor in series with one another. Thus, the stacked output stage is operable over a wide range of supply voltage to overcome the relatively low breakdown voltages of scaled transistors. Moreover, the injection-locked oscillator driver stage provides the RF amplifier with excellent power efficiency, including in applications in which the stacked output stage operates with a supply voltage that is variable.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A radio frequency amplifier comprising:
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an input terminal configured to receive a radio frequency input signal; an output terminal configured to provide a radio frequency output signal; a driver stage including an injection-locked oscillator configured to generate an injection-locked radio frequency signal based on the radio frequency input signal; and a stacked output stage configured to amplify the injection-locked radio frequency signal to generate the radio frequency output signal, the stacked output stage including a transistor stack of at least a first transistor and a second transistor in series with one another, the stacked output stage having an adjustable supply voltage that changes with a mode of the radio frequency amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of radio frequency signal amplification, the method comprising:
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receiving a radio frequency input signal as an input to a radio frequency amplifier having a driver stage and a stacked output stage; generating an injection-locked radio frequency signal based on the radio frequency input signal using an injection-locked oscillator of the driver stage; amplifying the injection-locked radio frequency signal using a transistor stack of the stacked output stage, the transistor stack including at least a first transistor and a second transistor in series with one another; operating the stacked output stage in a selected mode chosen from at least a first mode and a second mode; and providing the stacked output stage with an adjustable supply voltage having a lower voltage level in the second mode relative to the first mode. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A wireless communication device comprising:
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a transmitter configured to generate a radio frequency input signal; a power amplifier including a driver stage and a stacked output stage, the driver stage including an injection-locked oscillator configured to generate an injection-locked radio frequency signal based on the radio frequency input signal, and the stacked output stage configured to amplify the injection-locked radio frequency signal to generate an output radio frequency signal, the stacked output stage including a transistor stack of at least a first transistor and a second transistor in series with one another and powered by a second supply voltage; and a supply control circuit configured to generate the second supply voltage, the supply control circuit configured to receive a mode control signal from the transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification