High-frequency power amplifier circuit and high-frequency power amplifier module

• US 6,249,186 B1
• Filed: 04/09/1999
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Company Limited (Taiyo Yuden Co)
• Original Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Company Limited (Taiyo Yuden Co)
• Inventors: Kaneko, Masanobu, Iizuka, Fumitaka, Naganuma, Masaki, Ebihara, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Pascal, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHANH V
• Application Number:
  US09/288,558
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 330/277, 330/286, 330/302, 330/306, 330/307, 330/310, 330/311
• US Class Current: 330/277
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/05599 Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45015 being circular
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/45099 Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48227 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/85399 Material
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/66 High-frequency adaptations
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 24/48 of an individual wire connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01046 Palladium [Pd]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/01078 Platinum [Pt]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/1306 Field-effect transistor [FET]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/13063 Metal-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor [MESFET]
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/19041 being a capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/207 Diameter ranges
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/30107 Inductance
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3011 Impedance
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/3025 Electromagnetic shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/56 Modifications of input or output impedances, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/1935 : with junction-FET devices

Abstract

An input matching circuit is provided having the output impedance-frequency characteristics wherein the output impedance shows a value approximately equal to that of the gate input impedance of the FET at the frequency of the objective signal to be amplified, and the output impedance shows a value not more than twice the gate input impedance of the FET at least at the entire frequencies from the frequency of the objective signal to be amplified through twice the frequency of the objective signal to be amplified so that the matching between the input previous stage circuit and the gate of the FET can be secured. Thereby, a high-frequency power amplifier circuit and a high-frequency power amplifier module, which can suppress the occurrence of distortion, perform stably, and get miniaturized, are configured.

Claims

1. A high-frequency power amplifier adapted to be responsive to a source having a predetermined high-frequency and a predetermined output impedance comprising a first field effect transistor having (a) a gate electrode, (b) a source electrode and (c) an impedance between the gate and source electrodes, the impedance being substantially lower than the source output impedance so there is a substantial impedance mismatch between the source output impedance and the impedance between the gate and source electrodes, a first matching circuit for reducing the impedance mismatch between the source output impedance, and between the gate and source electrodes, the first matching circuit having (a) a first input terminal for connection to a first output terminal of the source, (b) a ground terminal for connection to a second output terminal of the source and connected to the source electrode, (c) a terminal connected to the gate electrode, and (d) an inductive impedance connected in a shunt branch having a terminal connected to the gate electrode, the first matching circuit having an output impedance value in a frequency band extending between the predetermined frequency and a frequency two times the predetermined frequency that does not exceed two times the impedance of the first field effect transistor between the gate and source electrodes thereof, and

the first field effect transistor including a source drain path, a bias circuit for the source drain path connected to power the source drain path, the source drain path having (a) an output terminal at the drain thereof and (b) an output impedance between the source and drain thereof equal approximately to the output impedance of the source, a second field effect transistor having a gate source impedance equal approximately to the gate source impedance of the first field effect transistor, and a second matching circuit connected between the output terminal of the first field effect transistor and the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor, the second matching circuit having an output impedance between the gate and source electrodes of the second field effect transistor, the value of the second matching circuit output impedance in a frequency band extending between the predetermined frequency and a frequency two times the predetermined frequency that does not exceed two times the impedance of the second field effect transistor between the gate and source electrodes thereof.

2. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 1 wherein the only impedance of the first matching circuit is the inductive impedance.

3. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 2 wherein the inductive impedance has a minimum impedance value between the predetermined frequency and the frequency that is two times the predetermined frequency.

4. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 1 wherein the first matching circuit includes a series branch connected between the first input terminal of the circuit and the terminal of the circuit connected to the gate electrode, the series branch including a reactance.

5. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 4 wherein the reactance includes a DC blocking capacitor.

6. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 5 wherein the reactance includes another inductive impedance.

7. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 6 wherein the first matching circuit includes another shunt branch having one terminal connected between the capacitor and the another inductive impedance, the another shunt branch including a second capacitor.

8. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 5 wherein the first matching circuit includes another shunt branch having one terminal connected to the circuit input terminal, the another shunt branch including another inductive impedance, the series branch including the DC blocking capacitor being connected between the circuit input terminal and the terminal of the circuit connected to the gate electrode.

9. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 4 wherein the reactance includes another inductive impedance.

10. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 9 wherein the first matching circuit includes another shunt branch having one terminal connected to the circuit input terminal, the another shunt branch including a second capacitor.

11. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 1 further including a capacitor connected in series with the inductive impedance.

12. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 1 further including a gate bias circuit having a terminal connected to the gate electrode.

13. The amplifier of claim 1 wherein the circuit and the gate and source electrodes are arranged so that the impedance shunting the gate electrode is dominated by the impedances of (a) the field effect transistor between the gate and source electrodes, and (b) the branch.

14. A high-frequency power amplifier adapted to be responsive to a source having a predetermined high-frequency and a predetermined output impedance comprising a first field effect transistor having (a) a gate electrode, (b) a source electrode and (c) an impedance between the gate and source electrodes, the impedance being substantially lower than the source output impedance so there is a substantial impedance mismatch between the source output impedance and the impedance between the gate and source electrodes, a first matching circuit for reducing the impedance mismatch between the source output impedance, and between the gate and source electrodes, the first matching circuit having (a) a first input terminal for connection to a first output terminal of the source, (b) a ground terminal for connection to a second output terminal of the source and connected to the source electrode, and (c) a terminal connected to the gate electrode, the first matching circuit having an output impedance value in a frequency band extending between the predetermined frequency and a frequency two times the predetermined frequency that does not exceed two times the impedance of the first field effect transistor between the gate and source electrodes thereof, the first field effect transistor including a source drain path, a bias circuit for the source drain path connected to power the source drain path, the source drain path having (a) an output terminal at the drain thereof and (b) an output impedance between the source and drain thereof equal approximately to the output impedance of the source,

a second field effect transistor having a gate source impedance equal approximately to the gate source impedance of the first field effect transistor, and

a second matching circuit connected between the output terminal of the first field effect transistor and the gate electrode of the second field effect transistor, the second matching circuit having an output impedance between the gate and source electrodes of the second field effect transistor, the second matching circuit having an output impedance value in a frequency band extending between the predetermined frequency and a frequency two times the predetermined frequency that does not exceed two times the impedance of the second field effect transistor between the gate and source electrodes thereof.

15. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 14 wherein the inductive impedance has a minimum impedance value between the predetermined frequency and the frequency that is two times the predetermined frequency.

16. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 14 wherein the circuit and the gate and source electrodes are arranged so that the impedance shunting the gate electrode is dominated by the impedances of (a) the field effect transistor between the gate and source electrodes, and (b) the branch.

17. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 14 wherein the circuit and the gate and source electrodes are arranged so that the impedance shunting the gate electrode is dominated by the impedances of (a) the field effect transistor between the gate and source electrodes and (b) the inductive impedance.

18. A high-frequency power amplifier adapted to be responsive to a source having a predetermined high-frequency and a predetermined output impedance comprising a first field effect transistor having (a) a first gate electrode, (b) a first drain electrode, (c) a first source electrode and (d) a first impedance between the first gate and first source electrodes, the first impedance being substantially lower than the source output impedance so there is a substantial impedance mismatch between the source output impedance and the first impedance between the first gate and first source electrodes, a first matching circuit having (a) a first input terminal for connection to a first output terminal of the source, (b) a ground terminal for connection to a second output terminal of the source and connected to the first source electrode, (c) a terminal connected to the first gate electrode, and (d) a first inductive impedance connected in a first shunt branch having a terminal connected to the first gate electrode, the first inductive impedance having a value to cause the impedance shunting the first gate electrode to extend from an impedance value (Z) at the predetermined frequency to an impedance value that is no more than 2Z at a frequency twice the predetermined frequency.

19. The amplifier of claim 18 further including a second field effect transistor having (a) second gate electrode, (b) a second source electrode and (c) a second impedance between the second gate and second source electrodes, the second impedance being substantially lower than an output impedance between the first source and first drain electrodes so there is a substantial impedance mismatch between the output impedance between the first source and first drain of the first field effect transistor and the impedance between the second gate and second source electrodes of the second field effect transistor, a second matching circuit having (a) a first input terminal connected to an output terminal of the first field effect transistor, (b) a ground terminal connected to the second output terminal of the source and connected to the second source electrode of the second field effect transistor, (c) a terminal connected to the second gate electrode of the second field effect transistor, and (d) a second inductive impedance connected in a second shunt branch having a terminal connected to the second gate electrode of the second field effect transistor, the second inductive impedance having a value to cause the impedance shunting the second gate electrode of the second field effect transistor to extend from an impedance value (Z) at the predetermined frequency to an impedance value that is no more than 2Z at a frequency twice the predetermined frequency.

20. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 19 wherein the first gate and first source electrodes have an impedance between them in the first field effect transistor substantially equal to Z, and the second gate and second source electrodes have an impedance between them in the second field effect transistor substantially equal to Z.

21. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 18 wherein the first gate and first source electrodes have an impedance between them in the first field effect transistor substantially equal to Z.

22. A high-frequency power amplifier adapted to be responsive to a source having a predetermined high-frequency and a predetermined output impedance comprising a first field effect transistor having (a) a first gate electrode, (b) a first source electrode and (c) a first impedance between the first gate and first source electrodes, the first impedance being substantially lower than the source output impedance so there is a substantial impedance mismatch between the source output impedance and an impedance between the first gate and first source electrodes, a first matching circuit for reducing the impedance mismatch between the source output impedance and the impedance between the first gate and first source electrodes, a second field effect transistor having (a) a second gate electrode, (b) a second source electrode and (c) a second impedance between the second gate and second source electrodes, the second impedance being substantially lower than an output impedance between the first source and first drain electrodes so there is a substantial impedance mismatch between an output impedance of the first field effect transistor and the second impedance between the second gate and second source electrodes, a second matching circuit for reducing the impedance mismatch between the output impedance of the first field effect transistor and the impedance of the second gate and second source electrodes, the second matching circuit having (a) a first input terminal connected to an output terminal of the first field effect transistor, (b) a ground terminal connected to the second source electrode, (c) a terminal connected to the second gate electrode, and (d) an inductive impedance connected in a shunt branch having a terminal connected to the second gate electrode, the second matching circuit having an output impedance value in a frequency band extending between the predetermined frequency and a frequency two times the predetermined frequency that does not exceed two times the impedance of the second field effect transistor between the gate and source electrodes thereof.

23. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 22 wherein the only impedance of the second matching circuit is the inductive impedance.

24. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 23 wherein the inductive impedance has a minimum impedance value between the predetermined frequency and the frequency that is two times the predetermined frequency.

25. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 22 wherein the second matching circuit includes a series branch connected between the first input terminal of the second matching circuit and the terminal of the circuit connected to the second gate electrode, the series branch including a reactance.

26. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 25 wherein the reactance includes a DC blocking capacitor.

27. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 26 wherein the reactance includes another inductive impedance.

28. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 27 wherein the second matching circuit includes another shunt branch having one terminal connected between the capacitor and the another inductive impedance, the another shunt branch including a second capacitor.

29. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 26 wherein the second matching circuit includes another shunt branch having one terminal connected to the second matching circuit input terminal, the another shunt branch including another inductive impedance, the series branch including the DC blocking capacitor, the DC blocking capacitor being connected between the second matching circuit input terminal and the terminal of the circuit connected to the second gate electrode.

30. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 29 wherein the reactance includes another inductive impedance.

31. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 30 wherein the second matching circuit includes another shunt branch having one terminal connected to the second matching circuit input terminal, the another shunt branch including a second capacitor.

32. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 22 further including a capacitor connected in series with the inductive impedance.

33. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 22 further including a gate bias circuit having a terminal connected to the second gate electrode.

34. The high-frequency power amplifier of claim 22 wherein the second matching circuit and the second gate and second source electrodes are arranged so that the impedance shunting the second gate electrode is dominated by the impedances of (a) the second field effect transistor between the second gate and second source electrodes, and (b) the branch.