Self-biased cascode RF power amplifier in sub-micron technical field
First Claim
1. A method of increasing a maximum useable supply voltage in a power amplifier circuit, comprising:
- utilizing a cascode configuration; and
self-biasing said cascode configuration;
where the cascode configuration is self biased by;
coupling the gate of a common source transistor to a signal input, and coupling the gate of an other transistor to its own drain;
where the gate of said other transistor is also capacitively coupled to ground;
where a unidirectionally-conducting sub circuit is coupled between the drain of said other transistor and said gate of said other transistor; and
where said unidirectionally-conductive sub circuit is a series connection of a resistor and one of a diode and a diode connected transistor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for increasing the maximum useable supply voltage in an amplifier circuit is presented. A self-biased cascode amplifier circuit includes a first MOSFET and a second MOSFET connected in series and coupled between a DC voltage source terminal and a common terminal. An RF input signal terminal is coupled to a gate electrode of the first MOSFET, and the gate of the second MOSFET is connected between a resistor and a capacitor connected in series between the drain of the second MOSFET and the source of the first MOSFET. In preferred embodiments a unidirectionally-conducting boosting sub-circuit is coupled between a drain electrode and the gate electrode of the second MOSFET, which may comprise a diode-resistive sub-circuit, or a third MOSFET connected across a resistive voltage divider. The output of the amplifier circuit is taken from the drain electrode of the second MOSFET. These configuration permits the first and second MOSFETs to withstand a larger output voltage swing, thus permitting the use of a higher supply voltage and increased output power, without the necessity of complex biasing voltages.
66 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of increasing a maximum useable supply voltage in a power amplifier circuit, comprising:
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utilizing a cascode configuration; and
self-biasing said cascode configuration;
where the cascode configuration is self biased by;
coupling the gate of a common source transistor to a signal input, and coupling the gate of an other transistor to its own drain;
where the gate of said other transistor is also capacitively coupled to ground;
where a unidirectionally-conducting sub circuit is coupled between the drain of said other transistor and said gate of said other transistor; and
where said unidirectionally-conductive sub circuit is a series connection of a resistor and one of a diode and a diode connected transistor. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of facilitating maximum signal swing in a cascode configuration amplifier circuit comprising:
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connecting a signal input to the gate of a transistor of the cascode configuration amplifier circuit; and
self-biasing an other transistor such that its gate more closely follows the voltage of its drain on positive swing than on negative swing;
where the other transistor'"'"'s gate more closely follows the voltage of its drain on positive swing than on negative swing due to a resistor and a diode or a diode connected transistor being connected in series across the drain and gate of said other transistor.
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- 4. An amplifier circuit, comprising a first MOSFET and a second MOSFET connected in series and coupled between a DC voltage source terminal and a common terminal, an RF input signal terminal being coupled to a gate electrode of said first MOSFET, and the gate of said second MOSFET connected between a first resistor and a capacitor connected in series between the drain of said second MOSFET and the source of said first MOSFET, where a series connection of a second resistor and one of a diode and a diode connected transistor are connected from the drain of said second MOSFET to the gate of said second MOSFET.
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5. An amplifier circuit, comprising a first MOSFET and a second MOSFET connected in series and coupled between a DC voltage source terminal and a common terminal, an RF input signal terminal being coupled to a gate electrode of said first MOSFET, and the gate of said second MOSFET connected between the series connection of a first resistor and a second resistor, and a capacitor, all connected in series between the drain of said second MOSFET and the source of said first MOSFET, where a third MOSFET is connected such that the drain of said third MOSFET is connected to the drain of said second MOSFET, the source of said third MOSFET is connected to the gate of said second MOSFET, and the gate of said third MOSFET is connected between the series connection of said first resistor and said second resistor.
Specification