Electronic switch and communication device including such a switch

• US 8,981,882 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Issued: 03/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: STMicroelectronics SA (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: Martineau, Baudouin
• Primary Examiner(s): Ismail, Shawki S
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOMZA, LISA NHUNG
• Application Number:
  US13/243,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20120157011A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,271 Days
• Field of Search: 335/78
• US Class Current: 335/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/44 Transmit/receive switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/48 in circuits for connecting transmitter and receiver to a common transmission path, e.g. by energy of transmitter H04B1/46 takes precedence

Abstract

Switch including a terminal of a first type and at least two terminals of a second type, and a number of circuits capable of ensuring exclusive connection of one of the terminals of the second type to the terminal of the first type as a function of a set of control orders wherein the terminal of the first type is connected to a common point by a first circuit; each terminal of the second type is connected to the common point by a second circuit, with each second circuit including a portion that is magnetically coupled to the first circuit, a static switch mounted in parallel with the portion and capable of being controlled in the “off” state in order to connect the terminal of the first type to the terminal of the second type associated with the second circuit in question.

Claims

1. A switch comprising:

a terminal of a first type and at least two terminals of a second type, and a number of circuits capable of ensuring exclusive connection of one of the terminals of the second type to the terminal of the first type as a function of a set of control signals wherein

the terminal of the first type is connected to a common point by a first circuit;

each terminal of the second type is connected to said common point by a second circuit, with each second circuit comprising

a portion that is magnetically coupled to said first circuit, and

a static switch mounted in parallel with said portion and capable of being controlled in an off state in order to connect the terminal of the first type to the terminal of the second type associated with the second circuit in question.

2. The switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein a coupling coefficient between the first circuit and the magnetically coupled portion of each second circuit exceeds 0.5.

3. The switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein the coupling coefficient between the first circuit and the magnetically coupled portion of each second circuit exceeds 0.7.

4. The switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first circuit and the magnetically coupled portions of the second circuits form substantially coaxial loops.

5. The switch as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first circuit and the magnetically coupled portions of the second circuits form substantially superposed loops.

6. The switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first circuit and the magnetically coupled portions of the second circuits form substantially concentric loops that are located in a same plane.

7. The switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first circuit and the magnetically coupled portions of the second circuits form substantially straight, parallel lines.

8. The switch as claimed in claim 1 wherein a pair of back-to-back diodes connect the terminal of the first type and the common point.

9. A communication device comprising:

an antenna, at least one receive chain and at least one transmit chain; and

a switch comprising

a first inductive element coupled between a first terminal and a reference terminal,

a second inductive element coupled between a second terminal and the reference terminal and magnetically coupled to the first inductive element,

a first switching element coupled in parallel with the second inductive element,

a third inductive element coupled between a third terminal and the reference terminal and magnetically coupled to the first inductive element, and

a second switching element coupled in parallel with the third inductive element;

wherein the antenna is coupled to the terminal of the first type and said receive and transmit chains are each connected to one of the terminals of the second type.

10. A switch comprising:

a first inductive element coupled between a first terminal and a reference terminal;

a second inductive element coupled between a second terminal and the reference terminal and magnetically coupled to the first inductive element;

a first switching element coupled in parallel with the second inductive element;

a third inductive element coupled between a third terminal and the reference terminal and magnetically coupled to the first inductive element; and

a second switching element coupled in parallel with the third inductive element.

11. A switch as defined in claim 10, wherein the second terminal is coupled to the first terminal in response to the first switching element being in an off state and the second switching element being in an on state.

12. A switch as defined in claim 10, wherein the third terminal is coupled to the first terminal in response to the first switching element being in an on state and the second switching element being in an off state.

13. A switch as defined in claim 10, wherein the first and second switching elements comprise transistors.

14. A switch as defined in claim 10, wherein the first, second and third inductive elements comprise coaxial conductive loops formed on a substrate.

15. A switch as defined in claim 14, wherein the coaxial conductive loops are formed on one level and have different diameters.

16. A switch as defined in claim 14, wherein the coaxial conductive loops are formed on different levels and have equal diameters.

17. A switch as defined in claim 10, wherein the first, second and third inductive elements comprise parallel conductive lines formed on a substrate.

18. A switch as defined in claim 10, wherein a coupling coefficient between the first inductive element and each of the second and third inductive elements exceeds 0.5.

19. A switch as defined in claim 10, wherein a coupling coefficient between the first inductive element and each of the second and third inductive elements exceeds 0.7.

20. A method for switching electronic signals comprising:

providing a switch including a first inductive element coupled between a first terminal and a reference terminal, a second inductive element coupled between a second terminal and the reference terminal and magnetically coupled to the first inductive element, a first switching element coupled in parallel with the second inductive element, a third inductive element coupled between a third terminal and the reference terminal and magnetically coupled to the first inductive element, and a second switching element coupled in parallel with the third inductive element;

connecting the second terminal to the first terminal in response to controlling the first switching element in an off state and controlling the second switching element in an on state; and

connecting the third terminal to the first terminal in response to controlling the first switching element in the on state and controlling the second switching element in the off state.