Multi-mode radio frequency front end module

• US 8,467,738 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2010
• Issued: 06/18/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skyworks Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RFaxis, Inc. (Skyworks Solutions Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gorbachov, Oleksandr
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TUAN HOANG
• Application Number:
  US12/772,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20100277252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 455/73, 455/82, 455/83, 455/103, 455/121, 455/127.3, 455/550.1, 455/553.1
• US Class Current: 455/73
• CPC Class Codes: H01P 1/213 combining or separating two or more different frequencies H01P1/215 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0261 with control of the polarisation voltage or current, e.g. gliding Class A
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/111 the amplifier being a dual or triple band amplifier, e.g. 900 and 1800 MHz, e.g. switched or not switched, simultaneously or not
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/294 the amplifier being a low noise amplifier [LNA]
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/451 the amplifier being a radio frequency amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/7209 the gated amplifier being switched from a first band to a second band
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/7221 the gated amplifier being switched on or off by a switch at the output of the amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/7227 the gated amplifier being switched on or off by a switch in the supply circuit of the amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/195 in integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/245 with semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/68 Combinations of amplifiers, e.g. multi-channel amplifiers for stereophonics power amplifiers using a combination of several semiconductor amplifiers H03F3/211; combinations of amplifiers using coupling networks with distributed constants H03F3/602
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/72 Gated amplifiers, i.e. amplifiers which are rendered operative or inoperative by means of a control signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/006 using switches for selecting the desired band H04B1/0057 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/52 Hybrid arrangements, i.e. arrangements for transition from single-path two-direction transmission to single-direction transmission on each of two paths or vice versa

Abstract

A radio frequency (RF) front end circuit for connecting an antenna to a transceiver having multiple operating modes is disclosed. The circuit has a first transmit input receptive to signals of a first operating mode and a second operating mode from the transceiver. There is also a second transmit input receptive to signals of a third operating mode from the transceiver. The circuit has a first power amplifier for the first and second operating modes, a second power amplifier for the first operating mode, and a third power amplifier for the second and third operating mode. A first switch network selectively interconnects the first transmit input to a one of the second and third power amplifiers.

Claims

1. A radio frequency (RF) front end circuit for connecting an antenna to a transceiver having a first operating mode, a second operating mode, and a third operating mode, comprising:

a first set of transmit ports receptive to signals of the first operating mode and the second operating mode from the transceiver;

a second set of transmit ports receptive to signals of the third operating mode from the transceiver;

a first set of power amplifiers for the first operating mode;

a second set of power amplifiers for the second and third operating modes;

a first switch selectively interconnecting a one of the first set of transmit ports to a one of the first set of power amplifiers and a one of the second set of power amplifiers;

a second switch selectively interconnecting a different one of the first set of transmit ports to a different one of the first set of power amplifiers and a different one of the second set of power amplifiers;

a multi-position switch selectively interconnecting the antenna to a single one of the first set of power amplifiers and the second set of power amplifiers;

a first set of receive ports relaying signals of the first operating mode and the second operating mode received from the antenna; and

a second set of receive ports relaying signals of the third operating mode received from the antenna.

2. The front end circuit of claim 1, wherein the multi-position switch further selectively interconnects the antenna to a single one of the first set of receive ports and the second set of receive ports.

3. The front end circuit of claim 1, further comprising:

diplexers coupling each output of the second set of power amplifiers and each of the second set of receive ports to the antenna.

4. The front end circuit of claim 3, further comprising:

a first diplexer switch selectively interconnecting one of the output of a first one of the second set of power amplifiers and a first one of the diplexers to the multi-position switch; and

a second diplexer switch selectively interconnecting the output of a second one of the second set of power amplifiers and a second one of the diplexers to the multi-position switch.

5. The front end circuit of claim 4, wherein the diplexer switches, the first switch, the second switch, and the second set of power amplifiers is fabricated on a single die.

6. The front end circuit of claim 3, further comprising:

a first output switch selectively interconnecting a first one of the second set of power amplifiers to one of the diplexers; and

a second output switch selectively interconnecting a second one of the second set of power amplifiers to an other one of the diplexers;

wherein the first set of power amplifiers are selectively interconnected to the antenna by a respective one of the first and second output switches.