Method and system for sharing low noise amplifier circuitry in a single chip bluetooth and wireless local area network

• US 8,923,780 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2007
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ojo, Adedayo, Marholev, Bojko, Khorram, Shahla
• Primary Examiner(s): Afshar, Kamran
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, MONG-THUY THI
• Application Number:
  US11/622,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20080139151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,909 Days
• Field of Search: 455/132, 455/133, 455/138, 455/234.1, 455/311, 455/552.1, 455/41.1, 455/39, 455/422.1, 455333-335, 455/323, 455/324, 455/553.1, 455/78, 455/73, 370/338, 370/339
• US Class Current: 455/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/406 with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Aspects of a method and system for sharing low noise amplifier (LNA) circuitry in a single chip Bluetooth and wireless local area network (WLAN) system are disclosed. Aspects of the system may comprise a chip with integrated WLAN and Bluetooth radios. RF signals may be received via a single antenna coupled to a shared LNA integrated in chip. When WLAN signals are received they are communicated from the shared LNA to a subsequent amplification stage integrated within the WLAN radio. When Bluetooth signals are received they are communicated from the shared LNA to a subsequent amplification stage that comprises a transconductance amplifier integrated within the WLAN radio and an LNA load integrated within the Bluetooth radio. Gains in the LNAs, the transconductance amplifier, and/or the subsequent WLAN amplification stage may be dynamically adjusted. Outputs from the subsequent amplification stages may be communicated to mixers for further processing.

Claims

1. A method for processing signals received via a communication medium, the method comprising:

receiving, via a shared low noise amplifier (LNA) integrated within a chip, a signal for a first wireless protocol and a signal for a second wireless protocol, wherein a transconductance amplifier within said chip is directly coupled to said shared LNA and is utilized to couple an output of said shared LNA to a first radio or first receiver in said chip used for processing said signal for said first wireless protocol, and wherein a gain of said transconductance amplifier is dynamically adjusted utilizing a reference current.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said shared LNA is integrated within a second radio or second receiver in said chip used for processing said signal for said second wireless protocol.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said second radio or second receiver is a wireless local area network (WLAN) radio or WLAN receiver.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said transconductance amplifier is integrated within said second radio or second receiver.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first wireless protocol is BLUETOOTH.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said second wireless protocol is WLAN.

7. The method according to claim 1, comprising dynamically adjusting a gain in said shared LNA.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first radio or first receiver is a Bluetooth radio or Bluetooth receiver.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising, when receiving said signal for said first wireless protocol, communicating said received signal from said shared LNA to a subsequent LNA load integrated within said first radio or first receiver via said transconductance amplifier.

10. The method according to claim 9, comprising dynamically adjusting a gain in said transconductance amplifier and subsequent LNA load.

11. The method according to claim 1, comprising, when receiving said signal for said second wireless protocol, communicating said received signal from said shared LNA to a subsequent LNA integrated within a second radio or second receiver in said chip used for processing said signal for said second wireless protocol.

12. The method according to claim 11, comprising dynamically adjusting a gain in said subsequent LNA integrated within said second radio or second receiver.

13. A system for processing signals received via a communication medium, the system comprising:

a chip comprising a first radio or first receiver used for processing a signal for a first wireless protocol; and

said chip comprises a shared LNA that enables receiving said signal for said first wireless protocol and a signal for a second wireless protocol, wherein a transconductance amplifier within said chip is directly coupled to said shared LNA and is utilized to couple an output of said shared LNA to said first radio or first receiver, and wherein a gain of said transconductance amplifier is dynamically adjusted utilizing a reference current.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said shared LNA is integrated within a second radio or second receiver in said chip used for processing said signal for said second wireless protocol.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said second radio or second receiver is a WLAN radio or WLAN receiver.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein said transconductance amplifier is integrated within said second radio or second receiver.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein said first wireless protocol is BLUETOOTH.

18. The system according to claim 13, wherein said second wireless protocol is WLAN.

19. The system according to claim 13, wherein said chip enables dynamic adjustment of a gain in said shared LNA.

20. The system according to claim 13, wherein said first radio or first receiver is a Bluetooth radio or Bluetooth receiver.

21. The system according to claim 13, wherein said chip enables, when receiving said signal for said first wireless protocol, communication of said received signal from said shared LNA to a subsequent LNA load integrated within said first radio or first receiver via said transconductance amplifier.

22. The system according to claim 21, wherein said chip enables dynamic adjustment a gain in said transconductance amplifier and subsequent LNA load.

23. The system according to claim 13, wherein said chip enables, when receiving said signal for said second wireless protocol, communication of said received signal from said shared LNA to a subsequent LNA integrated within a second radio or second receiver in said chip used for processing said signal for said second wireless protocol.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein said chip enables dynamic adjustment of a gain in said subsequent LNA integrated within said second radio or second receiver.

25. A system, comprising:

a single chip comprising a first receiver and a second receiver, wherein;

said first receiver comprises a first low noise amplifier (LNA), a second LNA, and a transconductance amplifier, said first LNA being operable to process radio frequency (RF) signals associated with a first wireless protocol and a second wireless protocol, said second LNA being coupled to an output of said first LNA and being operable to process said RF signals associated with said first wireless protocol, and said transconductance amplifier being directly coupled to said output of said first LNA and being operable to process said RF signals associated with said second wireless protocol; and

said second receiver comprises a third LNA, said third LNA being coupled to an output of said transconductance amplifier in said first receiver and being operable to process said RF signals associated with said second wireless protocol.