Antenna switching scheme

Abstract

In some aspects, a device includes a transformer that includes a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor. The device also includes a power amplifier coupled to the first inductor, a first antenna coupled to a first terminal of the second inductor, a second antenna coupled to a second terminal of the second inductor, a first switch coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and ground, a second switch coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and ground, and a low noise amplifier coupled to the third inductor.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit and priority of pending non - provisional application Ser. No. 17 / 098,319, filed Nov. 13, 2020, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the entire content of which is incorporated herein as if fully set forth herein and for all applicable purposes. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication and, more particularly, to antenna switching. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] Wireless devices may include multiple antenna arrays to transmit and / or receive radio frequency (RF) signals in different directions and / or at different frequencies. For example, antenna arrays may be mounted on different sides of a wireless device to provide coverage in different directions. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] A simplified summary of one or more implementations is presented below to provide a basic understanding of such implementations. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated implementations and is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of all implementations nor to delineate the scope of any or all implementations. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more implementations in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description presented later.

[0006] A first aspect relates to an apparatus. The apparatus includes a transformer that includes a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor. The apparatus further includes a power amplifier coupled to the first inductor, a first antenna coupled to a first terminal of the second inductor, a second antenna coupled to a second terminal of the second inductor, a first switch coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and ground, a second switch coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and ground, and a low - noise amplifier coupled to the third inductor.

[0007] The second aspect relates to a wireless device. The wireless device includes: a first antenna array including a first plurality of antennas, a second antenna array including a second plurality of antennas, a plurality of power amplifiers, a plurality of low-noise amplifiers, and a plurality of switching circuits. Each of the plurality of switching circuits includes a transformer, and the transformer includes a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor, wherein the first inductor is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of power amplifiers, a first terminal of the second inductor is coupled to a corresponding one of the first plurality of antennas, a second terminal of the second inductor is coupled to a corresponding one of the second plurality of antennas, and the third inductor is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of low-noise amplifiers. Each of the plurality of switching circuits further includes a first switch coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and ground and a second switch coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and ground.

[0008] The third aspect relates to a device. The device includes a transformer, and the transformer includes a first inductor, a second inductor, a third inductor, and a fourth inductor. The device further includes a power amplifier coupled to the first inductor, a low-noise amplifier coupled to the second inductor, a first antenna coupled to a first terminal of the third inductor, a first switch coupled between a second terminal of the third inductor and ground, a second antenna coupled to a first terminal of the fourth inductor, and a second switch coupled between a second terminal of the fourth inductor and ground.

[0009] The fourth aspect relates to a wireless device. The wireless device includes: a first antenna array including a first plurality of antennas, a second antenna array including a second plurality of antennas, a plurality of power amplifiers, a plurality of low-noise amplifiers, and a plurality of switching circuits. Each of the plurality of switching circuits includes a transformer, and the transformer includes a first inductor, a second inductor, a third inductor, and a fourth inductor, wherein the first inductor is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of power amplifiers, the second inductor is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of low-noise amplifiers, a first terminal of the third inductor is coupled to a corresponding one of the first plurality of antennas, and a first terminal of the fourth inductor is coupled to a corresponding one of the second plurality of antennas. Each of the plurality of switching circuits further includes a first switch coupled between a second terminal of the third inductor and ground and a second switch coupled between a second terminal of the fourth inductor and ground. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1A An example of an antenna module including a patch antenna and a dipole antenna in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0011] Figure 1B An example of an L-shaped antenna module in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure is shown.

[0012] Figure 1CShows an example of a T-shaped antenna module in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 2 Shows an example of two antenna arrays including antennas coupled to an amplifier in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] Figure 3A Shows an example of a switching circuit configured to selectively couple antennas in two antenna arrays to an amplifier in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 3B Shows an example of two switches in a switching circuit configured to couple one of two antennas to an amplifier at a time in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 3C Shows power loss in one of two switches and leakage in the other of two switches during operation in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 4 Shows an example of a switching circuit including a three-coil transformer for switching between two antennas in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 5 Shows an example of a switching circuit including a switch coupled between the input of an LNA and ground in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 6 Shows an example of a switching circuit integrated on a chip in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 7 Shows an example of a shunt inductor, where each shunt inductor is coupled in parallel with a corresponding switch in a switching circuit to provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 8 Shows an example of a switching circuit including shunt inductors to provide ESD protection in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 9 Shows an example of a switching circuit including a four-coil transformer for switching between two antennas in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 10 Shows an example of a switching circuit including switches, where each switch is coupled between a corresponding antenna in an antenna and ground in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 11An example of a switching circuit including a switch coupled between an input of an LNA and ground is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 12 An example of a switching circuit integrated on a chip is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 13 An example of a switching circuit configured to selectively couple antennas in two antenna arrays to an amplifier is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 14 An exemplary layout of a four-coil transformer is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 15A An exemplary overpass structure is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 15B Another exemplary overpass structure is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 16A An exemplary underpass structure is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 16B Another exemplary underpass structure is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 17 An exemplary layout of a three-coil transformer is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 18 A diagram of an environment including an electronic device that includes a transceiver is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 19 An example of an operation method of a device is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 20 Another example of an operation method of a device is shown, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0036] The detailed description presented below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended to describe various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0037] A wireless device may include multiple antenna arrays to transmit and / or receive radio frequency (RF) signals in different directions and / or at different frequencies. In one example, the antenna arrays may be mounted on different sides of the wireless device to provide coverage in different directions. The wireless device may use beamforming to electronically steer the beam direction of the antenna arrays.

[0038] In some aspects, the antenna arrays may transmit and / or receive RF signals in the millimeter wave (mmWave) band, which supports high data rates. Operating in the mmWave band allows for the use of small antennas, which significantly reduces the size of the antenna arrays. This allows the antenna arrays to be incorporated into mobile wireless devices (e.g., cell phones). However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the mmWave band.

[0039] One or more antenna arrays may be integrated on an antenna module incorporated in the wireless device. In this regard, Figure 1A An example of an antenna module 110 according to some aspects is shown. In this example, the antenna module 110 includes an array of patch antennas 115-1 to 115-4 and an array of dipole antennas 120-1 to 120-4.

[0040] Figure 1B An example of an L-shaped antenna module 140 is shown, which includes a first array of antennas 150-1 to 150-4 facing different directions and a second array of antennas 160-1 to 160-4. The L-shaped antenna module 140 may be incorporated into the wireless device, e.g., to transmit and / or receive RF signals on different sides of the wireless device. In one example, the first array of antennas 150-1 to 150-4 is on a first surface 155 (e.g., a first plane) of the module 140, and the second array of antennas 160-1 to 160-4 is on a second surface 165 (e.g., a second plane) of the module 140. In Figure 1B the example of, the first surface 155 and the second surface 165 face different directions, where the direction of the first surface 155 is represented by a vector 157 perpendicular to the first surface 155, and the direction of the second surface 164 is represented by a second vector 167 perpendicular to the second surface 165. In one example, the first surface 155 and the second surface 165 are oriented to be generally perpendicular to each other (as shown in the example of Figure 1B ), but it should be understood that this need not be the case. Each of the antennas 150-1 to 150-4 and 160-1 to 160-4 may include a patch antenna or another type of antenna.

[0041] Figure 1CShows an example of a T-shaped antenna module 170, which includes a first array of antennas 180-1 to 180-4 facing different directions and a second array of antennas 190-1 to 190-4. In one example, the first array of antennas 180-1 to 180-4 is on the first surface 185 (e.g., the first plane) of the module 170, and the second array of antennas 190-1 to 190-4 is on the second surface 195 (e.g., the second plane) of the module 170. In Figure 1C the example, the first surface 185 and the second surface 195 face different directions, where the direction of the first surface 185 is represented by a vector 187 perpendicular to the first surface 185, and the direction of the second surface 195 is represented by a second vector 197 perpendicular to the second surface 195. In one example, the first surface 185 and the second surface 195 are oriented to be substantially perpendicular to each other, but it should be understood that this need not be the case. Each of the antennas 180-1 to 180-4 and 190-1 to 190-4 can include a patch antenna or another type of antenna.

[0042] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to Figures 1A to 1C the exemplary antenna modules 110, 140, and 170 shown. In this regard, it should be understood that the antenna module can have various shapes, and the antennas can be arranged on the antenna module in various arrangements.

[0043] The antennas in the antenna array can be coupled to a transmission chain for transmitting RF signals via the antennas and a receiving chain for receiving RF signals via the antennas. The transmission chain can include a mixer for upconversion and a power amplifier, and the receiving chain can include a low-noise amplifier (LNA) and a mixer for downconversion.

[0044] Figure 2 Shows an example of a first antenna array 210 and a second antenna array 220 according to certain aspects. The antenna arrays 210 and 220 can be on the same antenna module (e.g., antenna modules 110, 140, or 170) or on separate antenna modules. The first antenna array 210 includes antennas 212-1 to 212-4, and the second antenna array 220 includes antennas 222-1 to 222-4. Although in Figure 2 the example shown, each of the antenna arrays 210 and 220 includes four antennas, it should be understood that each of the antenna arrays 210 and 220 can include a different number of antennas.

[0045] In this example, each of antennas 212-1 to 212-4 in the first antenna array 210 is coupled to a corresponding power amplifier 240-1 to 240-4 and a corresponding LNA 245-1 to 245-4 in transceiver 230. Additionally, each of antennas 222-1 to 222-4 in the second antenna array 220 is coupled to a corresponding power amplifier 250-1 to 250-4 and a corresponding LNA 255-1 to 255-4 in transceiver 230. Thus, in this example, transceiver 230 includes separate power amplifiers 240-1 to 240-4 and 250-1 to 250-4 for each of antennas 212-1 to 212-4 and 222-1 to 222-4, and separate LNAs 245-1 to 245-4 and 255-1 to 255-4 for each of antennas 212-1 to 212-4 and 222-1 to 222-4. For an example where each of power amplifiers 240-1 to 240-4 and 250-1 to 250-4 is part of a corresponding transmit chain and each of LNAs 245-1 to 245-4 and 255-1 to 255 is part of a corresponding receive chain, transceiver 230 includes separate transmit chains for each of antennas 212-1 to 212-4 and 222-1 to 222-4, and separate receive chains for each of antennas 212-1 to 212-4 and 222-1 to 222-4. Thus, in this example, the transmit and receive circuitry is replicated for each of antennas 212-1 to 212-4 and 222-1 to 222-4 in antenna arrays 210 and 220, thereby increasing the cost and area of transceiver 230.

[0046] In an application where one of antenna arrays 210 and 220 is active at a time, antennas 212-1 to 212-4 in the first antenna array 210 and antennas 222-1 to 222-4 in the second antenna array 220 can share the transmit and receive circuitry to reduce the cost and area of the transceiver. In this regard, Figure 3A An example is shown of a wireless device including a switch circuit 315 between antenna arrays 210 and 220 and transceiver 350. As discussed further below, switch circuit 315 allows antennas 212-1 to 212-4 in the first antenna array 210 and antennas 222-1 to 222-4 in the second antenna array 220 to share the transmit and receive circuitry in transceiver 350, thereby reducing the cost and area of transceiver 350 compared to Figure 2 transceiver 230 in

[0047] In this example, the transceiver 350 includes power amplifiers 340-1 to 340-4, where each of the power amplifiers 340-1 to 340-4 is shared by a corresponding antenna among antennas 212-1 to 212-4 in the first antenna array 210 and a corresponding antenna among antennas 222-1 to 222-4 in the second antenna array 220. The transceiver 350 also includes LNAs 345-1 to 345-4, where each of the LNAs 345-1 to 345-4 is shared by a corresponding antenna among antennas 212-1 to 212-4 in the first antenna array 210 and a corresponding antenna among antennas 222-1 to 222-4 in the second antenna array 220.

[0048] The switching circuit 315 includes first switches 325-1 to 325-4 and second switches 330-1 to 330-4. Each of the first switches 325-1 to 325-4 is coupled between a corresponding antenna among antennas 212-1 to 212-4 in the first antenna array 210 and a corresponding power amplifier among 340-1 to 340-4. Each of the first switches 325-1 to 325-4 is also coupled between a corresponding antenna among antennas 212-1 to 212-4 in the first antenna array 210 and a corresponding LNA among 345-1 to 345-4. Each of the second switches 330-1 to 330-4 is coupled between a corresponding antenna among antennas 222-1 to 222-4 in the second antenna array 220 and a corresponding power amplifier among 340-1 to 340-4. Each of the second switches 330-1 to 330-4 is also coupled between a corresponding antenna among antennas 222-1 to 222-4 in the second antenna array 220 and a corresponding LNA among 345-1 to 345-4.

[0049] In this example, when the first antenna array 210 is active and the second antenna array 220 is inactive, the first switches 325-1 to 325-4 are turned on (i.e., closed) and the second switches 330-1 to 330-4 are turned off (i.e., open). As a result, the antennas 212-1 to 212-4 in the first antenna array 210 are coupled to the corresponding power amplifiers 340-1 to 340-4 and LNAs 345-1 to 345-4. When the second antenna array 220 is active and the first antenna array 210 is inactive, the second switches 330-1 to 330-4 are turned on (i.e., closed) and the first switches 325-1 to 325-4 are turned off (i.e., open). As a result, the antennas 222-1 to 222-4 in the second antenna array 220 are coupled to the corresponding power amplifiers 340-1 to 340-4 and LNAs 345-1 to 345-4.

[0050] Accordingly, when the first antenna array 210 is active, the switch circuit 315 couples the antennas 212-1 to 212-4 in the first antenna array 210 to the corresponding power amplifiers 340-1 to 340-4 and LNAs 345-1 to 345-4, and when the second antenna array 220 is active, the switch circuit 315 couples the antennas 222-1 to 222-4 in the second antenna array 220 to the corresponding power amplifiers 340-1 to 340-4 and LNAs 345-1 to 345-4. In this way, the switch circuit 315 allows the antennas 212-1 to 212-4 in the first antenna array 210 and the antennas 222-1 to 222-4 in the second antenna array 220 to share the power amplifiers 340-1 to 340-4 and LNAs 345-1 to 345-4 in the transceiver 350, thereby Figure 2 reducing the cost and area of the transceiver 350 compared to the transceiver 230 in

[0051] However, the switch circuit 315 degrades the performance of the transceiver 350 as well as the antenna arrays 210 and 220. This can be illustrated with reference to Figure 3B and Figure 3C as follows. Figure 3B shows a close-up view of the switches 325-1 and 330-1 in the switch circuit 315, the antenna 212-1 in the first antenna array 210, and the antenna 222-1 in the second antenna array 220. In this example, when the first antenna array 210 is active, the switch 325-1 is turned on and the switch 330-1 is turned off, and when the second antenna array 220 is active, the switch 330-1 is turned on and the switch 325-1 is turned off.

[0052] Each of the switches 325-1 and 330-1 has a on-resistance (denoted as "R on ") when turned on, which results in a power loss on the switches 325-1 and 330-1 proportional to the on-resistance R on . The on-resistance R on of each of the switches 325-1 and 330-1 can be reduced by increasing the size of each of the switches 325-1 and 330-1. Accordingly, the power loss on each of the switches 325-2 and 330-1 can be reduced by increasing the size of each of the switches 325-1 and 330-1. Figure 3C shows an example of the resistance R on of the switch 325-1 when the switch 325-1 is turned on (i.e., the antenna 212-1 is active).

[0053] Each of the switches 325-1 and 330-1 also has an off-capacitance (denoted as "C off ") when turned off, which results in a capacitance C offProportional leakage through switches 325-1 and 330-1. Due to the leakage, the active antenna is not fully isolated from the inactive antenna, resulting in crosstalk between antennas 212-1 and 222-1. Figure 3C Shows the off-capacitance C of switch 330-1 when switch 330-1 is off (i.e., antenna 222-1 is inactive). off Example. Figure 3C Also shows the resistance of antenna 212-1 (denoted as "R ANT1 ") and the resistance of antenna 222-1 (denoted as "R ANT2 ").

[0054] For a given process, the product of the on-resistance R on and off-capacitance C off of each of switches 325-1 and 330-1 can be approximately constant. Thus, reducing the on-resistance R on of each of switches 325-1 and 330-1 to reduce power loss increases the off-capacitance C off of each of switches 325-1 and 330-1, which increases the leakage and thus reduces the isolation between antennas 212-1 and 222-1. In other words, in this example, there is a trade-off between power loss and antenna-to-antenna isolation. This trade-off makes it difficult for switch circuit 315 to achieve both low power loss and high antenna-to-antenna isolation simultaneously.

[0055] Figure 4 Shows an exemplary switch circuit 412 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. Switch circuit 412 allows a first antenna 410 and a second antenna 415 to share a power amplifier 420 and an LNA 470. Thus, compared to the transceiver 230 in Figure 2 where the transmit and receive circuitry is replicated for each antenna, switch circuit 412 reduces cost and area. In addition, switch circuit 412 is not subject to the trade-off between power loss and antenna-to-antenna isolation (which limits the Figure 3A performance of switch circuit 315 in

[0056] In Figure 4In the example, the switch circuit 412 is configured to switch between the first antenna 410 and the second antenna 415 based on which of the antennas 410 and 415 is active at a given time. The first antenna 410 may correspond to one of the antennas 212-1 to 212-4 in the first antenna array 210, and the second antenna 415 may correspond to one of the antennas 222-1 to 222-4 in the second antenna array 220. The antennas 410 and 415 may be on the same antenna module (e.g., antenna module 110, 140, or 170), or on separate antenna modules. The switch circuit 412 may be coupled to the antennas 410 and 415 via respective transmission lines.

[0057] In this example, the switch circuit 412 includes a three-coil transformer 430 that includes a first inductor 440, a second inductor 450, and a third inductor 460. The second inductor 450 is magnetically coupled to the first inductor 440 and the third inductor 460. Each of the inductors 440, 450, and 460 may be implemented with a coil inductor, a spiral inductor, a toroidal inductor, a planar inductor, or another type of inductor.

[0058] In Figure 4 the example, the power amplifier 420 is a differential power amplifier with differential inputs and differential outputs, where the differential inputs include a first input 422 and a second input 424, and the differential outputs include a first output 426 and a second output 428. In this example, the power amplifier 420 is configured to receive a differential RF signal, amplify the differential RF signal, and output the amplified differential RF signal at the differential outputs. However, it should be understood that the power amplifier 420 is not limited to a differential power amplifier. In some aspects, the power amplifier 420 may be implemented with two or more amplifiers.

[0059] In Figure 4 the example, the first inductor 440 of the transformer 430 is coupled between the first output 426 and the second output 428 of the power amplifier 420. More specifically, the first terminal 442 of the first inductor 440 is coupled to the first output 426 of the power amplifier 420, and the second terminal 444 of the first inductor 440 is coupled to the second output 428 of the power amplifier 420.

[0060] The second inductor 450 of the transformer 430 is coupled to the antennas 410 and 415. More specifically, the first terminal 452 of the second inductor 450 is coupled to the first antenna 410, and the second terminal 454 of the second inductor 450 is coupled to the second antenna 415.

[0061] The third inductor 460 of the transformer 430 is coupled to the LNA 470. More specifically, a first terminal 462 of the third inductor 460 is coupled to ground or a bias control circuit (not shown), and a second terminal 464 of the third inductor 460 is coupled to the input 472 of the LNA 470.

[0062] The switch circuit 412 also includes a first switch 475 and a second switch 480. The first switch 475 is coupled between the first terminal 452 of the second inductor 450 and ground, and the second switch 480 is coupled between the second terminal 454 of the second inductor 450 and ground. Each of the switches 475 and 480 can be implemented with one or more n-type field effect transistors (NFETs), one or more p-type field effect transistors (PFETs), transmission gates, or another type of switch. In some implementations, each of the switches 475 and 480 can be implemented with two or more stacked transistors, which allows the switch to tolerate higher voltages by shunting the voltage between the stacked transistors.

[0063] In operation, when the first antenna 410 is active, the controller 490 switches the switch circuit 412 to the first antenna mode, and when the second antenna 415 is active, the controller 490 switches the switch circuit 412 to the second antenna mode.

[0064] In the first antenna mode, the controller 490 turns on (i.e., closes) the second switch 480 and turns off (i.e., opens) the first switch 475. In this mode, the second switch 480 pulls the second antenna 415 to ground. By pulling the second antenna 415 to ground, the second switch 480 isolates the second antenna 415 (which is inactive in the first antenna mode) from the first antenna 410 (which is active in the first antenna mode). In this example, reducing the on-resistance R of the second switch 480 on reduces the power loss across the second switch 480. Additionally, reducing the on-resistance R of the second switch 480 on aids the second switch 480 in pulling the second antenna 415 to ground to better isolate the second antenna 415 from the first antenna 410.

[0065] In the second antenna mode, the controller 490 turns on (i.e., closes) the first switch 475 and turns off (i.e., opens) the second switch 480. In this mode, the first switch 475 pulls the first antenna 410 to ground. By pulling the first antenna 410 to ground, the first switch 475 isolates the first antenna 410 (which is inactive in the second antenna mode) from the second antenna 415 (which is active in the second antenna mode). In this example, reducing the on-resistance R of the first switch 475 on reduces the power loss across the first switch 475. Additionally, reducing the on-resistance R of the first switch 475on Helps the first switch 475 pull the first antenna 410 to ground to better isolate between the second antenna 415 and the first antenna 410.

[0066] Therefore, reducing the on-resistance R of each of the first switch 475 and the second switch 480 on can improve both power loss and antenna-to-antenna isolation simultaneously. This allows the switch circuit 412 to achieve both low power loss and high antenna-to-antenna isolation at the same time. In contrast, in Figure 3A the switch circuit 315 in, there is a trade-off between power loss and antenna-to-antenna isolation, which makes it difficult for the switch circuit 315 to achieve both low power loss and high antenna-to-antenna isolation at the same time.

[0067] The first antenna 410 can be used for transmission or reception in the first antenna mode. For transmission in the first antenna mode, the power amplifier 420 drives the first inductor 440 of the transformer 430 with an amplified differential RF signal. The transformer 430 transfers the power of the amplified RF differential signal from the first inductor 440 to the second inductor 450 via magnetic coupling. In addition, the transformer 430 converts the differential RF signal at the first inductor 440 into a single-ended RF signal at the second inductor 450. The single-ended RF signal is then transmitted via the first antenna 410 (which is active in the first antenna mode).

[0068] For reception in the first antenna mode, the first antenna 410 receives an RF signal. The transformer 430 transfers the power of the received RF signal from the second inductor 450 to the third inductor 460 via magnetic coupling. The RF signal then enters the input 472 of the LNA 470 from the third inductor 460. The LNA 470 amplifies the received RF signal and outputs the amplified RF signal at the output 474 of the LNA 470. The output 474 of the LNA 470 can be coupled to a mixer (not shown) or another component in the corresponding receive chain.

[0069] The second antenna 415 can be used for transmission or reception in the second antenna mode. For transmission in the second antenna mode, the power amplifier 420 drives the first inductor 440 of the transformer 430 with an amplified differential RF signal. The transformer 430 transfers the power of the amplified RF differential signal from the first inductor 440 to the second inductor 450 via magnetic coupling and converts the differential RF signal at the first inductor 440 into a single-ended RF signal at the second inductor 450. The single-ended RF signal is then transmitted via the second antenna 415 (which is active in the second antenna mode).

[0070] For reception in the second antenna mode, the second antenna 415 receives an RF signal. The transformer 430 transfers the power of the received RF signal from the second inductor 450 to the third inductor 460 via magnetic coupling. Then, the RF signal is input to the input 472 of the LNA 470, and the LNA 470 amplifies the received RF signal and outputs the amplified RF signal at the output 474 of the LNA 470.

[0071] The third inductor 460 in the transformer 430 advantageously allows the first antenna 410 and the second antenna 415 to share the LNA 470. In a method that does not include the third inductor 460, two LNAs are used for the antennas 410 and 415, where one of the LNAs is coupled to the first terminal 452 of the second inductor 450, and the other LNA is coupled to the second terminal 454 of the second inductor 450. In this method, the LNA coupled to the first terminal 452 is used to amplify the signal received by the second antenna 415, and the LNA coupled to the second terminal 454 is used to amplify the signal received by the first antenna 410. The disadvantage of this method is that the LNAs load the antennas 410 and 415 and the second inductor 450 with parasitic loads, which can degrade performance.

[0072] In contrast to the above method, the third inductor 460 in the transformer 430 allows the switching circuit 412 to use the common LNA 470 for the first antenna 410 and the second antenna 415 instead of using two LNAs, which reduces the area. In addition, the third inductor 460 avoids the parasitic loads from the two LNAs in the above method.

[0073] The transformer 430 can also provide impedance matching between the differential output of the power amplifier 420 and the active antenna, and impedance matching between the input 472 of the LNA 470 and the active antenna. This can be achieved, for example, by setting the inductances of the first inductor 440, the second inductor 450, and the third inductor 460 to inductance values that result in impedance matching between the differential output of the power amplifier 420 and the active antenna, and impedance matching between the input 472 of the LNA 470 and the active antenna. The inductance values can be determined by computer simulation and / or testing. As described above, the first antenna 410 is the active antenna in the first antenna mode, and the second antenna 415 is the active antenna in the second antenna mode.

[0074] Figure 5 An example is shown in which the switching circuit 412 according to certain aspects further includes a third switch 510 and a fourth switch 520. In this example, the third switch 510 is coupled between the input 472 of the LNA 470 and ground, and the fourth switch 520 is coupled between the first terminal 462 of the third inductor 460 and ground.

[0075] In this example, the controller 490 operates the switch circuit 412 in a receive mode or a transmit mode based on whether the active antenna is for transmission or reception. In the receive mode, the controller 490 turns on (i.e., closes) the fourth switch 520 and turns off (i.e., opens) the third switch 510. In the receive mode, the power of the RF signal received by the active antenna is transferred from the second inductor 450 to the third inductor 460 via magnetic coupling. The received RF signal is then input from the third inductor 460 to the input 472 of the LNA 470.

[0076] In the receive mode, the controller 490 can operate the switch circuit 412 in a first antenna mode or a second antenna mode depending on which of the antennas 410 and 415 is active during reception. If the first antenna 410 is active in the receive mode, the controller 490 turns on the second switch 480 and turns off the first switch 475. If the second antenna 415 is active in the receive mode, the controller 490 turns off the second switch 480 and turns on the first switch 475.

[0077] In the transmit mode, the controller 490 turns off (i.e., opens) the fourth switch 520 and turns on (i.e., closes) the third switch 510. The turning off of the fourth switch 520 results in a high impedance at the first terminal 462 of the third inductor 460 (assuming a high off-resistance of the fourth switch 520). The high impedance at the first terminal 462 causes the impedance at the third inductor 460 to be high in the transmit mode. The high impedance at the third inductor 460 in the transmit mode helps transfer the power of the amplified RF signal from the power amplifier 420 to the second inductor 450 (which has a low impedance), and thus helps transfer the power of the amplified RF signal to the active antenna. The high impedance also helps isolate the input 472 of the LNA 470 from the output of the power amplifier 420 so that the amplified RF signal is not coupled into the LNA 470 in the transmit mode.

[0078] In the transmit mode, the controller 490 can operate the switch circuit 412 in a first antenna mode or a second antenna mode depending on which of the antennas 410 and 415 is active during transmission. If the first antenna 410 is active in the transmit mode, the controller 490 turns on the second switch 480 and turns off the first switch 475. If the second antenna 415 is active in the transmit mode, the controller 490 turns off the second switch 480 and turns on the first switch 475.

[0079] It should be understood that in some implementations, the switch circuit 412 may include the third switch 510 and omit the fourth switch 520, and vice versa. For an example where the fourth switch 520 is omitted, the first terminal 462 of the third inductor 460 may be coupled to ground.

[0080] Figure 6 Shows an example in which a switch circuit 412 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure is integrated on a chip 610. In this example, a first antenna 410 and a second antenna 415 are external to the chip 610 (i.e., off-chip). For example, the first antenna 410 and the second antenna 415 may be integrated on an antenna module (e.g., antenna module 110, 140, or 170) separate from the chip 610.

[0081] In Figure 6 the example of, the chip 610 includes a first pad 620 (e.g., a first bump pad) and a second pad 630 (e.g., a second bump pad). A first terminal 452 of a second inductor 450 of the switch circuit 412 is coupled to the first pad 620 (e.g., via one or more metal lines on the chip 610). The first pad 620 is coupled to the first antenna 410 via a first transmission line 622 (e.g., a metal line, a cable, or another type of transmission line). Thus, in this example, the first terminal 452 of the second inductor 450 of the switch circuit 412 is coupled to the first antenna 410 via the first pad 620.

[0082] A second terminal 454 of the second inductor 450 of the switch circuit 412 is coupled to the second pad 630 (e.g., via one or more metal lines on the chip 610). The second pad 630 is coupled to the second antenna 415 via a second transmission line 632 (e.g., a metal line, a cable, or another type of transmission line). Thus, in this example, the second terminal 454 of the second inductor 450 of the switch circuit 412 is coupled to the second antenna 415 via the second pad 630.

[0083] A power amplifier 420 and an LNA 470 may also be integrated on the chip 610, as shown in the example of Figure 6 However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, in some implementations, the power amplifier 420 and / or the LNA 470 may be integrated on another chip.

[0084] In certain aspects, it may be necessary to provide electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for the switch circuit 412. For example, an ESD event may occur when charge is inadvertently deposited on at least one of the pads 620 and 630 (e.g., during chip 610 processing). Without ESD protection to release the charge, the charge can cause large potentials to appear at the switches 475 and 480, which may damage the switches 475 and 480. For example, an ESD event may also occur when the chip 610 acquires charge and then discharges it to an object in contact with at least one of the pads 620 and 630.

[0085] Figure 7Shows an example where the switching circuit 412 includes a first shunt inductor 710 and a second shunt inductor 720 to provide ESD protection for the switching circuit 412. In this example, the first shunt inductor 710 is coupled in parallel with the first switch 475, and the second shunt inductor 720 is coupled in parallel with the second switch 480. The inductances of the shunt inductors 710 and 720 can be selected such that the shunt inductors 710 and 720 have a high impedance at the frequency of the RF signals transmitted and / or received via the antennas 410 and 415, and a low impedance for ESD events. Since the shunt inductors 710 and 720 have a low impedance for ESD events, the shunt inductors 710 and 720 provide a discharge path for the ESD event, and this discharge path can prevent ESD damage to the switches 475 and 480.

[0086] When the first switch 475 is turned off in the first antenna mode, the first shunt inductor 710 is coupled in parallel with the off-capacitance C of the first switch 475 off to form an LC network. In one example, the inductance of the first shunt inductor 710 can be selected such that the LC network resonates at the frequency (e.g., the center frequency) of the RF signals transmitted or received via the first antenna 410. As a result, the LC network appears as an open circuit to the RF signals to prevent leakage of the RF signals.

[0087] Similarly, when the second switch 480 is turned off in the second antenna mode, the shunt inductor 720 is coupled in parallel with the off-capacitance C of the second switch 480 off to form an LC network. In one example, the inductance of the second shunt inductor 720 can be selected such that the LC network resonates at the frequency (e.g., the center frequency) of the RF signals transmitted or received via the second antenna 415. As a result, the LC network appears as an open circuit to the RF signals to prevent leakage of the RF signals.

[0088] Figure 8 Shows another exemplary ESD protection scheme according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. In this example, the switching circuit 412 includes a shunt inductor 820 coupled between the center tap of the second inductor 450 and ground. During an ESD event, the shunt inductor 820 is configured to provide a discharge path from the second inductor 450 to ground.

[0089] Figure 9 Shows another exemplary switching circuit 912 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The switching circuit 912 allows the first antenna 410 and the second antenna 415 to share the power amplifier 420 and the LNA 470. The switching circuit 912 can be coupled to the antennas 410 and 415 via respective transmission lines.

[0090] In this example, the switching circuit 912 includes a four-coil transformer 930, which includes a first inductor 940, a second inductor 950, a third inductor 955, and a fourth inductor 960. The third inductor 955 is magnetically coupled to the first inductor 940 and the second inductor 950, and the fourth inductor 960 is magnetically coupled to the first inductor 940 and the second inductor 950. Each of the inductors 940, 950, 955, and 960 can be implemented with a coil inductor, a spiral inductor, a toroidal inductor, a planar inductor, or another type of inductor.

[0091] The switching circuit 912 also includes a first switch 970, a second switch 975, a first shunt inductor 972, and a second shunt inductor 977, each of which is discussed in more detail below in accordance with certain aspects.

[0092] In Figure 9 the example of, the first inductor 940 of the transformer 930 is coupled between the first output 426 and the second output 428 of the power amplifier 420. More specifically, the first terminal 942 of the first inductor 940 is coupled to the first output 426 of the power amplifier 420, and the second terminal 944 of the first inductor 940 is coupled to the second output 428 of the power amplifier 420.

[0093] The second inductor 950 of the transformer 930 is coupled to the LNA 470. More specifically, the first terminal 952 of the second inductor 950 is coupled to the input 472 of the LNA 470, and the second terminal 954 of the second inductor 950 is coupled to ground or a bias control circuit (not shown).

[0094] The third inductor 955 of the transformer 930 has a first terminal 956 and a second terminal 958. In this example, the first terminal 956 of the third inductor 955 is coupled to the first antenna 410, and the first switch 970 is coupled between the second terminal 958 of the third inductor 955 and ground. The first shunt inductor 972 can be coupled in parallel with the first switch 970 to provide ESD protection as described above.

[0095] The fourth inductor 960 of the transformer 930 has a first terminal 962 and a second terminal 964. In this example, the first terminal 962 of the fourth inductor 960 is coupled to the second antenna 415, and the second switch 975 is coupled between the second terminal 964 of the fourth inductor 960 and ground. The second shunt inductor 977 can be coupled in parallel with the second switch 975 to provide ESD protection as described above.

[0096] In operation, when the first antenna 410 is active, the controller 990 switches the switch circuit 912 to the first antenna mode, and when the second antenna 415 is active, the controller 990 switches the switch circuit 412 to the second antenna mode.

[0097] In the first antenna mode, the controller 990 turns on (i.e., closes) the first switch 970 and turns off (i.e., opens) the second switch 975. In the first antenna mode, the impedance at the third inductor 955 is low. This is because the first switch 970 is closed and thus couples the second terminal 958 of the third inductor 955 to ground. Additionally, in the first antenna mode, the impedance at the fourth inductor 960 is high. This is because the second switch 975 is open and is coupled in series with the fourth inductor 960. When the power amplifier 420 drives the first inductor 940 with an RF signal, the low impedance at the third inductor 955 and the high impedance at the fourth inductor 960 assist in the transfer of the power of the RF signal from the first inductor 940 to the third inductor 955, which is coupled to the active antenna (i.e., the first antenna 410) in the first antenna mode.

[0098] In the second antenna mode, the controller 990 turns on (i.e., closes) the second switch 975 and turns off (i.e., opens) the first switch 970. In the second antenna mode, the impedance at the fourth inductor 960 is low. This is because the second switch 975 is closed and thus couples the second terminal 964 of the fourth inductor 960 to ground. Additionally, in the second antenna mode, the impedance at the third inductor 955 is high. This is because the first switch 970 is open and is coupled in series with the third inductor 955. When the power amplifier 420 drives the first inductor 940 with an RF signal, the low impedance at the fourth inductor 960 and the high impedance at the third inductor 955 assist in the transfer of the power of the RF signal from the first inductor 940 to the fourth inductor 960, which is coupled to the active antenna (i.e., the second antenna 415) in the second antenna mode.

[0099] Figure 10 An example is shown in which the switch circuit 912 according to certain aspects further includes a third switch 1010 and a fourth switch 1020. In this example, the third switch 1010 is coupled between the first terminal 956 of the third inductor 955 and ground, and the fourth switch 1020 is coupled between the first terminal 962 of the fourth inductor 960 and ground.

[0100] In the first antenna mode, the controller 990 turns off the third switch 1010 and turns on the fourth switch 1020. The turning on of the fourth switch 1020 causes the fourth switch 1020 to pull the second antenna 415 to ground. This helps isolate the second antenna 415 (which is inactive in the first antenna mode) from the first antenna 410, and thus improves the antenna-to-antenna isolation in the first antenna mode.

[0101] In the second antenna mode, the controller 990 turns off the fourth switch 1020 and turns on the third switch 1010. The turning on of the third switch 1010 causes the third switch 1010 to pull the first antenna 410 to ground. This helps isolate the first antenna 410 (which is inactive in the second antenna mode) from the second antenna 415, and thus improves the antenna-to-antenna isolation in the second antenna module.

[0102] It should be understood that in some implementations, the switch circuit 912 may include the third switch 1010 and the fourth switch 1020 while omitting the first switch 970 and the second switch 975.

[0103] Figure 11 An example is shown where the switch circuit 912 according to certain aspects further includes a fifth switch 1110 and a sixth switch 1120. In this example, the fifth switch 1110 is coupled between the input 472 of the LNA 470 and ground, and the sixth switch 1120 is coupled between the second terminal 954 of the second inductor 950 and ground.

[0104] In this example, the controller 990 operates the switch circuit 912 in a receive mode or a transmit mode based on whether the active antenna is for transmission or for reception. In the receive mode, the controller 990 turns on (i.e., closes) the sixth switch 1120 and turns off (i.e., opens) the fifth switch 1110. In the receive mode, the power of the RF signal received by the active antenna is transmitted via magnetic coupling from the third inductor 955 or the fourth inductor 960 to the second inductor 950. The received RF signal then enters the input 472 of the LNA 470 from the second inductor 950. In the receive mode, the controller 990 may operate the switch circuit 912 in the first antenna mode or the second antenna mode according to which of the antennas 410 and 415 is active during reception.

[0105] In the transmit mode, the controller 990 turns off (i.e., disconnects) the sixth switch 1120 and turns on (i.e., closes) the fifth switch 1110. The turning on of the fifth switch 1110 causes the fifth switch 1120 to pull the input 472 of the LNA 470 to ground, which disables the LNA 470. The turning off of the sixth switch 1120 results in a high impedance at the second terminal 954 of the second inductor 950. The high impedance at the second terminal 954 causes the impedance at the second inductor 950 to be high in the transmit mode. The high impedance at the second inductor 950 in the transmit mode helps transfer the power of the amplified RF signal from the power amplifier 420 to the third inductor 955 in the first antenna mode and to the fourth inductor 960 in the second antenna mode. The high impedance also helps isolate the input 472 of the LNA 470 from the output of the power amplifier 420, such that the amplified RF signal is not coupled into the LNA 470 in the transmit mode. In the transmit mode, the controller 990 can operate the switch circuit 912 in the first antenna mode or the second antenna mode depending on which of the antennas 410 and 415 is active during transmission.

[0106] It should be understood that in some implementations, the switch circuit 912 may include the fifth switch 1110 and omit the sixth switch 1120, and vice versa. For an example of omitting the sixth switch 1120, the second terminal 954 of the second inductor 950 may be coupled to ground.

[0107] Figure 12 An example of the switch circuit 912 integrated on the chip 1210 is shown in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. In this example, the first antenna 410 and the second antenna 415 are external to the chip 1210 (i.e., off-chip). For example, the first antenna 410 and the second antenna 415 may be integrated on an antenna module (e.g., antenna module 110, 140, or 170) separate from the chip 1210.

[0108] In Figure 12 the example of, the chip 1210 includes a first pad 1220 (e.g., a first bump pad) and a second pad 1230 (e.g., a second bump pad). The first terminal 956 of the third inductor 955 of the switch circuit 912 is coupled to the first pad 1220 (e.g., via one or more metal lines on the chip 1210). The first pad 1220 is coupled to the first antenna 410 via a first transmission line 1222 (e.g., a metal line, a cable, or another type of transmission line). Thus, in this example, the first terminal 956 of the third inductor 955 of the switch circuit 912 is coupled to the first antenna 410 via the first pad 1220.

[0109] The first terminal 962 of the fourth inductor 960 of the switching circuit 912 is coupled to the second pad 1230 (e.g., via one or more metal lines on the chip 1210). The second pad 1230 is coupled to the second antenna 415 via the second transmission line 1232 (e.g., a metal line, a cable, or another type of transmission line). Thus, in this example, the first terminal 962 of the fourth inductor 960 of the switching circuit 912 is coupled to the second antenna 415 via the second pad 1230.

[0110] The power amplifier 420 and the LNA 470 may also be integrated on the chip 1210, as shown in an example Figure 12 However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to this example. For example, in some implementations, the power amplifier 420 and / or the LNA 470 may be integrated on another chip.

[0111] Multiple instances of the switching circuit 412 or 912 may be used to switch between the first antenna array and the second antenna array in a wireless device. In this regard, Figure 13 An example of a wireless device including a first antenna array 1310, a second antenna array 1320, multiple switching circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4, multiple power amplifiers 420-1 to 420-4, and multiple LNAs 470-1 to 470-4 is shown. According to certain aspects, the first antenna array 1310 includes antennas 410-1 to 410-4, and the second antenna array 1320 includes antennas 415-1 to 415-4. The first antenna array 1310 and the second antenna array 1320 are located on the same antenna module (e.g., antenna module 110, 140, or 170), or on separate antenna modules. For the example of the antenna module 110, the antennas 410-1 to 410-4 in the first antenna array 1310 may correspond to the patch antennas 115-1 to 115-4, and the antennas 415-1 to 415-4 in the second antenna array 1320 may correspond to the dipole antennas 120-1 to 120-4. For the example of the L-shaped antenna module 140, the antennas 410-1 to 410-4 in the first antenna array 1310 may correspond to the antennas 150-1 to 150-4, and the antennas 415-1 to 415-4 in the second antenna array 1320 may correspond to the antennas 160-1 to 160-4. For the example of the T-shaped antenna module 170, the antennas 410-1 to 410-4 in the first antenna array 1310 may correspond to the antennas 180-1 to 180-4, and the antennas 415-1 to 415-4 in the second antenna array 1320 may correspond to the antennas 190-1 to 190-4. Although in Figure 13 the example shown, each antenna array 1310 and 1320 includes four antennas, it should be understood that each antenna array 1310 and 1310 may include a different number of antennas.

[0112] Each of switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 is coupled to a corresponding one of antennas 410-1 to 410-4 in the first antenna array 1310 and a corresponding one of antennas 415-1 to 415-4 in the second antenna array 1320. Additionally, each of switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 is coupled to the output of a corresponding one of power amplifiers 420-1 to 420-4 and the input 472-1 to 472-4 of a corresponding one of LNAs 470-1 to 470-4. In Figure 13 the example of, each of power amplifiers 420-1 to 420-4 has a differential output including a first output 426-1 to 426-4 and a second output 428-1 to 428-4.

[0113] Each of switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 can be implemented with an exemplary switch circuit 412 according to any one of the exemplary implementations shown in Figures 4 to 8 that is, each of switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 can be a separate instance of exemplary switch circuit 412. Thus, in this example, the description of switch circuit 412 given above applies to each of switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4.

[0114] In another example, each of switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 can be implemented with an exemplary switch circuit 912 according to any one of the exemplary implementations shown in Figures 9 to 12 that is, each of switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 can be a separate instance of exemplary switch circuit 912. Thus, in this example, the description of switch circuit 912 given above applies to each of switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4.

[0115] In operation, each of switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 is configured to couple corresponding power amplifiers 420-1 to 420-4 and LNAs 470-1 to 470-4 to corresponding antennas 410-1 to 410-4 in the first antenna array 1310 or corresponding antennas 415-1 to 415-4 in the second antenna array 1320 depending on which of the antenna arrays 1310 and 1320 is active at a given time. For example, when the first antenna array 1310 is active (e.g., first antenna mode), the controller 1390 controls the switches in switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 such that each of switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 couples the corresponding power amplifiers 420-1 to 420-4 to the corresponding antennas 410-1 to 410-4 in the first antenna array 1310 in a transmit mode and couples the corresponding LNAs 470-1 to 470-4 to the corresponding antennas 410-1 to 410-4 in the first antenna array 1310 in a receive mode. When the second antenna array 1320 is active (e.g., second antenna mode), the controller 1390 controls the switches in switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 such that each of switch circuits 1312-1 to 1314-4 couples the corresponding power amplifiers 420-1 to 420-4 to the corresponding antennas 415-1 to 415-4 in the second antenna array 1320 in a transmit mode and couples the corresponding LNAs 470-1 to 470-4 to the corresponding antennas 415-1 to 415-4 in the second antenna array 1320 in a receive mode. In this way, switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 allow antennas 410-1 to 410-4 in the first antenna array 1310 and antennas 415-1 to 415-4 in the second antenna array 1320 to share power amplifiers 420-1 to 420-4 and LNAs 470-1 to 4170-4, thereby reducing cost and area. Note that Figure 13 the individual connections between the controller 1390 and switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 are shown explicitly.

[0116] Figure 14 A top view of an exemplary layout of a four-coil transformer 930 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In this example, each of the first inductor 940, the third inductor 955, and the fourth inductor 960 is implemented with a corresponding toroidal inductor, and the second inductor 950 is implemented with a spiral inductor. However, it should be understood that the inductors 940, 950, 955, and 960 are not limited to Figure 14 the exemplary implementations shown and may be implemented with other types of inductors. In this example, the transformer 930 may be integrated on a chip (e.g., chip 1210).

[0117] The first inductor 940 may be formed of a first metal layer on the chip, and the third inductor 955 and the fourth inductor 960 may be formed of a second metal layer on the chip (e.g., using photolithography). In this example, the first metal layer may be located below or above the second metal layer relative to the substrate of the chip. The first metal layer and the second metal layer may be separated by an electrically insulating material (not shown).

[0118] In Figure 14 the example of, the third inductor 955 is substantially aligned with the first inductor 940 to magnetically couple the third inductor 955 and the first inductor 940. When the first antenna 410 is used for RF transmission, the magnetic coupling allows the transformer 930 to transfer power from the output of the power amplifier 420 to the first antenna 410. In Figure 14 the example of, the third inductor 955 is located above the first inductor 940 relative to the substrate. However, it should be understood that in other implementations, the third inductor 955 may be located below the first inductor 940.

[0119] In Figure 14 the example of, the fourth inductor 960 is approximately aligned with the first inductor 940 to magnetically couple the fourth inductor 960 and the first inductor 940. When the second antenna 415 is used for RF transmission, the magnetic coupling allows the transformer 930 to transfer power from the output of the power amplifier 420 to the second antenna 415. In Figure 14 the example of, the fourth inductor 960 is located above the first inductor 940 relative to the substrate. However, it should be understood that in other implementations, the fourth inductor 960 may be located below the first inductor 940.

[0120] In Figure 14 the example shown, the third inductor 955 crosses the fourth inductor 960 at the intersections 1410, 1420, and 1430. For an example in which the third inductor 955 and the fourth inductor 960 are formed of the same metal layer (e.g., the second metal layer), the third inductor 955 and the fourth inductor 960 may be electrically isolated from each other at each of the intersections 1410, 1420, and 1430 using an overpass structure or an underpass structure.

[0121] In this regard, Figure 15A a side view of an exemplary overpass structure 1510 according to certain aspects is shown, which may be used at each of the intersections 1410, 1420, and 1430. In Figure 15AIn the example shown, the overpass structure 1510 straddles the fourth inductor 960. In this example, there is a gap 1540 (i.e., an interruption) in the third inductor 955, and the fourth inductor 960 passes through this gap 1540. The overpass structure 1510 is configured to provide electrical interconnection for the third inductor 955 above the gap 1540. In this example, the overpass structure 1510 includes a first via 1520, a second via 1525, and a bridge 1530. The first via 1520 is coupled to the third inductor 955 on one side of the gap 1540, and the second via 1525 is coupled to the third inductor 955 on the other side of the gap 1540. The bridge 1530 extends above the gap 1540, where one end of the bridge 1530 is coupled to the first via 1520 and the other end of the bridge 1530 is coupled to the second via 1525. The bridge 1530 may be formed of a third metal layer on the chip, which is above the second metal layer relative to the substrate.

[0122] Figure 15B Another example is shown in which the overpass structure 1510 straddles the third inductor 955. In this example, there is a gap 1550 (i.e., an interruption) in the fourth inductor 960, and the third inductor 955 passes through this gap 1550. The overpass structure 1510 is configured to provide electrical interconnection for the fourth inductor 960 above the gap 1550. In this example, the first via 1520 is coupled to the fourth inductor 960 on one side of the gap 1550, and the second via 1525 is coupled to the fourth inductor 960 on the other side of the gap 1550. The bridge 1530 extends above the gap 1550, where one end of the bridge 1530 is coupled to the first via 1520 and the other end of the bridge 1530 is coupled to the second via 1525.

[0123] Figure 16A A side view of an exemplary underpass structure 1610 that can be used at each of the intersections 1410, 1420, and 1430 in accordance with certain aspects is shown. In Figure 16AIn the example shown, the underground passage structure 1610 passes under the fourth inductor 960. In this example, there is a gap 1640 (i.e., an interruption) in the third inductor 955, and the fourth inductor 960 passes through this gap 1640. The underground passage structure 1610 is configured to provide electrical interconnection for the third inductor 955 under the gap 1640. In this example, the underground passage structure 1610 includes a first via 1620, a second via 1625, and a bridge 1630. The first via 1620 is coupled to the third inductor 955 on one side of the gap 1640, and the second via 1625 is coupled to the third inductor 955 on the other side of the gap 1640. The bridge 1630 extends under the gap 1640, where one end of the bridge 1630 is coupled to the first via 1620 and the other end of the bridge 1630 is coupled to the second via 1625. The bridge 1630 may be formed of a third metal layer on the chip, which is located below the second metal layer relative to the substrate.

[0124] Figure 16B Another example is shown where the underground passage structure 1610 passes under the third inductor 955. In this example, there is a gap 1650 (i.e., an interruption) in the fourth inductor 960, and the third inductor 955 passes through this gap 1650. The underground passage structure 1610 is configured to provide electrical interconnection for the fourth inductor 960 under the gap 1650. In this example, the first via 1620 is coupled to the fourth inductor 960 on one side of the gap 1650, and the second via 1625 is coupled to the fourth inductor 960 on the other side of the gap 1650. The bridge 1630 extends under the gap 1650, where one end of the bridge 1630 is coupled to the first via 1620 and the other end of the bridge 1630 is coupled to the second via 1625.

[0125] In Figure 14 the example shown, the second inductor 950 is located within the inner loop of the third inductor 955, which magnetically couples the second inductor 950 to the third inductor 955. When the first antenna 410 is used for RF reception, the magnetic coupling allows the transformer 930 to transfer power from the first antenna 410 to the LNA 470. Additionally, the second inductor 950 is located within the inner loop of the fourth inductor 960, which magnetically couples the second inductor 950 to the fourth inductor 960. When the first antenna 410 is used for RF reception, the magnetic coupling allows the transformer 930 to transfer power from the second antenna 415 to the LNA 470.

[0126] In Figure 14In the example shown, the second inductor 950 crosses itself at the intersection point 1440. In this example, the second inductor 950 can cross itself using an overpass structure (e.g., overpass structure 1510) or an underpass structure (e.g., underpass structure 1610). The second inductor 950 can also cross the third inductor 955 and the fourth inductor 960, as Figure 14 shown in the example in. For an example where the second inductor 950 is formed of the same metal layer (e.g., the second metal layer) as the third inductor 955 and the fourth inductor 960, the second inductor 950 can cross the third inductor 955 and the fourth inductor 960 using one or more overpass structures and / or one or more underpass structures.

[0127] Figure 17 A top view of an exemplary layout of a three - coil transformer 430 in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure is shown. In this example, each of the first inductor 440 and the second inductor 450 is implemented with a corresponding toroidal inductor, and the third inductor 460 is implemented with a spiral inductor. However, it should be understood that the inductors 440, 450, and 460 are not limited to Figure 17 the exemplary implementations shown and can be implemented with other types of inductors. In this example, the transformer 430 can be integrated on a chip (e.g., chip 610).

[0128] The first inductor 440 can be formed of a first metal layer on the chip, and the second inductor 450 and the third inductor 460 can be formed of a second metal layer on the chip (e.g., using lithography). In this example, relative to the substrate of the chip, the first metal layer can be located below or above the second metal layer. The first metal layer and the second metal layer can be separated by an electrically insulating material (not shown).

[0129] In Figure 17 the example in, the second inductor 450 is substantially aligned with the first inductor 440 to magnetically couple the second inductor 450 and the first inductor 440. Magnetic coupling allows the transformer 430 to transfer power from the output of the power amplifier 420 to the first antenna 410 in a first antenna mode or to the second antenna 415 in a second antenna mode. In Figure 17 the example in, the second inductor 450 is located above the first inductor 440 relative to the substrate. However, it should be understood that in other implementations, the second inductor 450 can be located below the first inductor 440.

[0130] In Figure 17In the example shown, the third inductor 460 is located within the inner loop of the second inductor 450, which magnetically couples the third inductor 460 to the second inductor 450. The magnetic coupling allows the transformer 430 to transfer power from the first antenna 410 to the LNA 470 in the first antenna mode or from the second antenna 415 to the LNA 470 in the second antenna mode.

[0131] In Figure 14 the example shown, the third inductor 460 crosses itself at the intersection 1740. In this example, the third inductor 460 can cross itself using an overpass structure (e.g., overpass structure 1510) or an underpass structure (e.g., underpass structure 1610). The third inductor 460 can also cross the second inductor 450, as shown in the example of Figure 17 . For an example where the third inductor 460 is formed of the same metal layer (e.g., the second metal layer) as the second inductor 450, the third inductor 460 can cross the second inductor 450 using one or more overpass structures and / or one or more underpass structures.

[0132] Figure 18 FIG. is a diagram of an environment 1800 that includes an electronic device 1802 that includes a wireless transceiver 1896. The transceiver 1896 can include the power amplifier 420, the plurality of power amplifiers 420-1 to 420-4, the LNA 470, the plurality of LNAs 470-1 to 470-4, the switch circuit 412, the switch circuit 912, and / or the switch circuits 1312-1 to 1312-4 discussed above. In the environment 1800, the electronic device 1802 communicates with a base station 1804 via a wireless link 1806. As shown, the electronic device 1802 is depicted as a smart phone. However, the electronic device 1802 can be implemented as any suitable computing or other electronic device, such as a cellular base station, a broadband router, an access point, a cellular or mobile phone, a gaming device, a navigation device, a media device, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a server computer, a network attached storage (NAS) device, a smart device, a vehicle-based communication system, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a sensor or security device, an asset tracker, etc.

[0133] Base station 1804 communicates with electronic device 1802 via wireless link 1806, which can be implemented as any suitable type of wireless link. Although base station 1804 is depicted as a base station tower of a cellular radio network, base station 1804 can represent or be implemented as another device, such as a satellite, a terrestrial broadcast tower, an access point, a peer device, a mesh network node, an optical fiber line, another electronic device as generally described above, etc. Thus, electronic device 1802 can communicate with base station 1804 or another device via a wired connection, a wireless connection, or a combination thereof. Wireless link 1806 can include a downlink for data or control information transmitted from base station 1804 to electronic device 1802, and an uplink for other data or control information transmitted from electronic device 1802 to base station 1804. Wireless link 1806 can be implemented using any suitable communication protocol or standard, such as 3rd Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE, 3GPP NR 5G), IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, Bluetooth TM and so on.

[0134] Electronic device 1802 includes a processor 1880 and a memory 1882. Memory 1882 can be a computer-readable storage medium or form part of a computer-readable storage medium. Processor 1880 can include any type of processor configured to execute processor-executable instructions (e.g., code) stored by memory 1882, such as an application processor or a multi-core processor. Memory 1882 can include any suitable type of data storage medium, such as volatile memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory), optical media, magnetic media (e.g., disks or tapes), etc. In the context of the present disclosure, memory 1882 is implemented to store instructions 1884, data 1886, and other information of electronic device 1802, and thus when configured as a computer-readable storage medium or a part thereof, memory 1881 does not include transient propagated signals or carriers.

[0135] Electronic device 1802 may also include an input / output port 1890. The I / O port 1890 enables data exchange or interaction with other devices, networks, or users, or between components of the device.

[0136] Electronic device 1802 may also include a signal processor (SP) 1892 (e.g., such as a digital signal processor (DSP)). The function of signal processor 1892 can be similar to that of a processor, and signal processor 1892 is capable of executing instructions and / or processing information in conjunction with memory 1882.

[0137] For communication purposes, electronic device 1802 also includes a modem 1894, a wireless transceiver 1896, and one or more antennas (e.g., first antenna 410, second antenna 415, first antenna array 1310, and / or second antenna array 1320). The wireless transceiver 1896 provides connections to corresponding networks and other electronic devices connected thereto using RF wireless signals. The wireless transceiver 1896 can facilitate communication over any suitable type of wireless network, such as a wireless local area network (LAN) (WLAN), a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, a mesh network, a cellular network, a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a navigation network (e.g., the Global Positioning System (GPS) in North America or another Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)), and / or a wireless personal area network (WPAN).

[0138] Controller 490, controller 990, and controller 1390 each can be implemented using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete hardware components (e.g., logic gates), or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. The processor can perform these functions by executing software that includes code for performing the functions described herein. The software can be stored on a computer-readable storage medium, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, an optical disc, and / or a magnetic disk.

[0139] Figure 19 is a flowchart showing an operating method 1900 of a device according to certain aspects. The device can be included in an electronic device (e.g., device 1802). The device includes a transformer (e.g., transformer 430), which includes a first inductor (e.g., first inductor 440), a second inductor (e.g., second inductor 450), and a third inductor (e.g., third inductor 460). The device also includes a first antenna (e.g., first antenna 410) coupled to a first terminal of the second inductor, a second antenna (e.g., second antenna 415) coupled to a second terminal of the second inductor, a first switch (e.g., first switch 475) coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and ground, and a second switch (e.g., second switch 480) coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and ground.

[0140] At block 1910, in the first antenna mode, the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on. For example, the first switch can be turned off and the second switch can be turned on by controller 490.

[0141] At block 1920, in the second antenna mode, the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off. For example, the first switch can be turned on and the second switch can be turned off by controller 490.

[0142] At block 1930, in the transmit mode, the first inductor is driven with a transmit radio frequency (RF) signal. For example, the first inductor can be driven with a transmit RF signal by a power amplifier 420. In this example, the transformer can transfer the power of the RF signal to the first antenna in a first antenna mode, or transfer the power of the RF signal to the second antenna in a second antenna mode.

[0143] At block 1940, in the receive mode, the received RF signal from the third inductor is amplified. For example, the received RF signal can be amplified by a low noise amplifier 470. In this example, the transformer can transfer the power of the RF signal received by the first antenna in the first antenna mode to the third inductor, or transfer the power of the RF signal received by the second antenna in the second antenna mode to the third inductor.

[0144] It should be understood that Figure 19 the exemplary blocks 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940 shown can be executed in any order, and multiple blocks can be executed simultaneously.

[0145] In some aspects, the apparatus further includes a low noise amplifier (e.g., low noise amplifier 470) coupled to the third inductor and a third switch (e.g., switch 510) coupled between the input of the low noise inductor and ground. In this example, method 1900 can further include turning off the third switch in the receive mode and turning on the third switch in the transmit mode. The third switch can be turned on and off by a controller 490.

[0146] In some aspects, the apparatus further includes a third switch (e.g., switch 520) coupled between the first terminal (e.g., terminal 452) of the third inductor and ground, where the second terminal (e.g., second terminal 454) of the third inductor is coupled to the input (e.g., input 472) of a low noise amplifier (e.g., low noise amplifier 470). In this example, method 1900 can further include turning on the third switch in the receive mode and turning off the third switch in the transmit mode. The third switch can be turned on and off by a controller 490.

[0147] Figure 20FIG. 2000 is a flowchart showing an operating method of a device according to some aspects. The device may be included in an electronic device (e.g., device 1802). The device includes: a transformer (e.g., transformer 930) including a first inductor (e.g., first inductor 940), a second inductor (e.g., second inductor 950), a third inductor (e.g., third inductor 955), and a fourth inductor (e.g., third inductor 960); a first antenna (e.g., first antenna 410) coupled to a first terminal of the third inductor; a first switch (first switch 970) coupled between a second terminal of the third inductor and ground; a second antenna (e.g., second antenna 415) coupled to a first terminal of the fourth inductor; and a second switch (e.g., second switch 975) coupled between a second terminal of the fourth inductor and ground.

[0148] At block 2010, in a first antenna mode, the first switch is turned on and the second switch is turned off. For example, the first switch can be turned on and the second switch can be turned off by a controller 990.

[0149] At block 2020, in a second antenna mode, the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on. For example, the first switch can be turned off and the second switch can be turned on by a controller 990.

[0150] At block 2030, in a transmission mode, the first inductor is driven with a transmission radio frequency (RF) signal. For example, the first inductor can be driven with a transmission RF signal by a power amplifier 420. In this example, the transformer can transfer the power of the RF signal to the first antenna in the first antenna mode or to the second antenna in the second antenna mode.

[0151] At block 2040, in a reception mode, a received RF signal from the second inductor is amplified. For example, the received RF signal can be amplified by a low noise amplifier 470. In this example, the transformer can transfer the power of the RF signal received by the first antenna in the first antenna mode or the power of the RF signal received by the second antenna in the second antenna mode to the second inductor.

[0152] It should be understood that Figure 20 the exemplary blocks 2010, 2020, 2030, and 2040 shown can be executed in any order, and multiple blocks can be executed simultaneously.

[0153] In some aspects, the apparatus includes a third switch (e.g., switch 1010) coupled between a first terminal of a third inductor and ground, and a fourth switch (e.g., switch 1020) coupled between a first terminal of a fourth inductor and ground. In this example, method 2000 may further include turning off the third switch and turning on the fourth switch in a first antenna mode, and turning on the third switch and turning off the fourth switch in a second antenna mode. The third switch and the fourth switch may be turned on and off by a controller 990.

[0154] In some aspects, the apparatus includes a low noise amplifier coupled to a first terminal of a second inductor and a third switch (e.g., switch 1120) coupled between a second terminal of the second inductor and ground. In this example, method 2000 may further include turning on the third switch in a receive mode and turning off the third switch in a transmit mode. The third switch may be turned on and off by a controller 990.

[0155] In some aspects, the apparatus includes a low noise amplifier coupled to a second inductor and a third switch (e.g., switch 1110) coupled between an input of the low noise amplifier and ground. In this example, method 2000 may further include turning off the third switch in a receive mode and turning on the third switch in a transmit mode. The third switch may be turned on and off by a controller 990.

[0156] Implementation examples are described in the following numbered clauses:

[0157] 1. An apparatus, comprising:

[0158] A transformer, comprising a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor;

[0159] A power amplifier, coupled to the first inductor;

[0160] A first antenna, coupled to a first terminal of the second inductor;

[0161] A second antenna, coupled to a second terminal of the second inductor;

[0162] A first switch, coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and ground;

[0163] A second switch, coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and ground; and

[0164] A low noise amplifier, coupled to the third inductor.

[0165] 2. The apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the first antenna comprises a patch antenna and the second antenna comprises a dipole antenna.

[0166] 3. The device according to clause 1, wherein the first antenna is on the first surface, the second antenna is on the second surface, and the first surface and the second surface face different directions.

[0167] 4. The device according to clause 3, wherein the first surface and the second surface are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0168] 5. The device according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the power amplifier is a differential power amplifier having a first output and a second output, the first output being coupled to the first terminal of the first inductor, and the second output being coupled to the second terminal of the first inductor.

[0169] 6. The device according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, further comprising a shunt inductor coupled between the second inductor and ground.

[0170] 7. The device according to clause 6, wherein the shunt inductor is coupled to the center tap of the second inductor.

[0171] 8. The device according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, further comprising:

[0172] a first shunt inductor coupled in parallel with the first switch; and

[0173] a second shunt inductor coupled in parallel with the second switch.

[0174] 9. The device according to any one of clauses 1 to 8, further comprising a controller configured to:

[0175] in a first antenna mode, turn off the first switch and turn on the second switch; and

[0176] in a second antenna mode, turn on the first switch and turn off the second switch.

[0177] 10. The device according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, further comprising a third switch coupled between the input of the low-noise amplifier and ground.

[0178] 11. The device according to any one of clauses 1 to 9, further comprising a third switch coupled between the first terminal of the third inductor and ground, wherein the input of the low-noise amplifier is coupled to the second terminal of the third inductor.

[0179] 12. The device according to clause 11, further comprising a fourth switch coupled between the input of the low-noise amplifier and ground.

[0180] 13. The device according to clause 12, further comprising a controller configured to:

[0181] In the transmission mode, turn off the third switch and turn on the fourth switch; and

[0182] In the reception mode, turn on the third switch and turn off the fourth switch.

[0183] 14. A wireless device, comprising:

[0184] A first antenna array including a first plurality of antennas;

[0185] A second antenna array including a second plurality of antennas;

[0186] A plurality of power amplifiers;

[0187] A plurality of low-noise amplifiers; and

[0188] A plurality of switch circuits, wherein each switch circuit of the plurality of switch circuits comprises:

[0189] A transformer including a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor, wherein the first inductor is coupled to a corresponding power amplifier of the plurality of power amplifiers, a first terminal of the second inductor is coupled to a corresponding antenna of the first plurality of antennas, a second terminal of the second inductor is coupled to a corresponding antenna of the second plurality of antennas, and the third inductor is coupled to a corresponding low-noise amplifier of the plurality of low-noise amplifiers;

[0190] A first switch coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and ground; and

[0191] A second switch coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and ground.

[0192] 15. The wireless device according to clause 14, wherein each antenna of the first plurality of antennas comprises a patch antenna, and each antenna of the second plurality of antennas comprises a dipole antenna.

[0193] 16. The wireless device according to clause 14, wherein the first plurality of antennas are on a first surface, the second plurality of antennas are on a second surface, and the first surface and the second surface face different directions.

[0194] 17. A device, comprising:

[0195] A transformer including a first inductor, a second inductor, a third inductor, and a fourth inductor;

[0196] A power amplifier coupled to the first inductor;

[0197] A low-noise amplifier coupled to the second inductor;

[0198] A first antenna, coupled to a first terminal of the third inductor;

[0199] A first switch, coupled between a second terminal of the third inductor and ground;

[0200] A second antenna, coupled to a first terminal of the fourth inductor; and

[0201] A second switch, coupled between a second terminal of the fourth inductor and ground.

[0202] 18. The apparatus according to clause 17, wherein the first antenna comprises a patch antenna, and the second antenna comprises a dipole antenna.

[0203] 19. The apparatus according to clause 17, wherein the first antenna is on a first surface, the second antenna is on a second surface, and the first surface and the second surface face different directions.

[0204] 20. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 17 to 19, further comprising:

[0205] A first shunt inductor coupled in parallel with the first switch; and

[0206] A second shunt inductor coupled in parallel with the second switch.

[0207] 21. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 17 to 20, further comprising a controller configured to:

[0208] In a first antenna mode, turn on the first switch and turn off the second switch; and

[0209] In a second antenna mode, turn off the first switch and turn on the second switch.

[0210] 22. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 17 to 21, further comprising a third switch coupled between an input of the low-noise amplifier and ground.

[0211] 23. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 17 to 21, further comprising:

[0212] A third switch, coupled between a first terminal of the third inductor and ground; and

[0213] A fourth switch, coupled between a first terminal of the fourth inductor and ground.

[0214] 24. The apparatus according to clause 23, further comprising a controller configured to:

[0215] In the first antenna mode, turn on the first switch, turn off the second switch, turn off the third switch, and turn on the fourth switch; and

[0216] In the second antenna mode, turn off the first switch, turn on the second switch, turn on the third switch, and turn off the fourth switch.

[0217] 25. The apparatus according to any one of clauses 17 to 21, wherein a first terminal of the second inductor is coupled to an input of the low-noise amplifier, and the apparatus further includes a third switch coupled between a second terminal of the second inductor and ground.

[0218] 26. The apparatus according to clause 25, further including a fourth switch coupled between the input of the low-noise amplifier and ground.

[0219] 27. The apparatus according to clause 26, further including a controller configured to:

[0220] In a receive mode, turn on the third switch and turn off the fourth switch; and

[0221] In a transmit mode, turn off the third switch and turn on the fourth switch.

[0222] 28. A wireless device, comprising:

[0223] A first antenna array including a first plurality of antennas;

[0224] A second antenna array including a second plurality of antennas;

[0225] A plurality of power amplifiers;

[0226] A plurality of low-noise amplifiers; and

[0227] A plurality of switch circuits, wherein each switch circuit of the plurality of switch circuits includes:

[0228] A transformer including a first inductor, a second inductor, a third inductor, and a fourth inductor, wherein the first inductor is coupled to a corresponding power amplifier of the plurality of power amplifiers, the second inductor is coupled to a corresponding low-noise amplifier of the plurality of low-noise amplifiers, a first terminal of the third inductor is coupled to a corresponding antenna of the first plurality of antennas, and a first terminal of the fourth inductor is coupled to a corresponding antenna of the second plurality of antennas;

[0229] A first switch coupled between a second terminal of the third inductor and ground; and

[0230] A second switch coupled between a second terminal of the fourth inductor and ground.

[0231] 29. The wireless device according to clause 28, wherein each antenna of the first plurality of antennas comprises a patch antenna, and each antenna of the second plurality of antennas comprises a dipole antenna.

[0232] 30. The wireless device according to clause 28, wherein the first plurality of antennas are on a first surface, the second plurality of antennas are on a second surface, and the first surface and the second surface face different directions.

[0233] 31. A method of operating a device, wherein the device comprises: a transformer including a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor; a first antenna coupled to a first terminal of the second inductor; a second antenna coupled to a second terminal of the second inductor; a first switch coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and ground; and a second switch coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and ground, the method comprising:

[0234] In a first antenna mode, turning off the first switch and turning on the second switch;

[0235] In a second antenna mode, turning on the first switch and turning off the second switch;

[0236] In a transmission mode, driving the first inductor with a transmission radio frequency (RF) signal; and

[0237] In a reception mode, amplifying a received RF signal from the third inductor.

[0238] 32. The method according to clause 31, wherein the device further comprises a low noise amplifier coupled to the third inductor, and a third switch coupled between an input of the low noise inductor and ground, and the method further comprises:

[0239] In the reception mode, turning off the third switch; and

[0240] In the transmission mode, turning on the third switch.

[0241] 33. The method according to clause 31, wherein the device further comprises a third switch coupled between a first terminal of the third inductor and ground, and a low noise amplifier coupled to a second terminal of the third inductor, and the method further comprises:

[0242] In the reception mode, turning on the third switch; and

[0243] In the transmission mode, turning off the third switch.

[0244] 34. A method of operating a device, wherein the device includes: a transformer including a first inductor, a second inductor, a third inductor, and a fourth inductor; a first antenna coupled to a first terminal of the third inductor; a first switch coupled between a second terminal of the third inductor and ground; a second antenna coupled to a first terminal of the fourth inductor; and a second switch coupled between a second terminal of the fourth inductor and ground, the method comprising:

[0245] In a first antenna mode, turning on the first switch and turning off the second switch;

[0246] In a second antenna mode, turning off the first switch and turning on the second switch;

[0247] In a transmission mode, driving the first inductor with a transmission radio frequency (RF) signal; and

[0248] In a reception mode, amplifying a received RF signal from the second inductor.

[0249] 35. The method according to clause 34, wherein the device includes a third switch coupled between the first terminal of the third inductor and ground, and a fourth switch coupled between the first terminal of the fourth inductor and ground, and the method further includes:

[0250] In the first antenna mode, turning off the third switch and turning on the fourth switch; and

[0251] In the second antenna mode, turning on the third switch and turning off the fourth switch.

[0252] 36. The method according to clause 34, wherein the device includes a low noise amplifier coupled to a first terminal of the second inductor, and a third switch coupled between a second terminal of the second inductor and ground, and the method further includes:

[0253] In the reception mode, turning on the third switch; and

[0254] In the transmission mode, turning off the third switch.

[0255] 37. The method according to clause 34, wherein the device includes a low noise amplifier coupled to the second inductor, and a third switch coupled between an input of the low noise amplifier and ground, and wherein the method further includes:

[0256] In the reception mode, turning off the third switch; and

[0257] In the transmission mode, turning on the third switch.

[0258] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary terms used above to describe aspects of the present disclosure. For example, the inductor of a transformer may also be referred to as a winding or another term. In addition, it should be understood that even if the inductor is not physically implemented with a coil, the inductor may still be referred to as a coil. It should also be understood that magnetic coupling may also be referred to as inductive coupling or another term. It should further be understood that the antennas in an antenna array may also be referred to as antenna elements or another term.

[0259] It should be understood that any switch discussed above may be implemented with one or more n-type field effect transistors (NFETs), one or more p-type field effect transistors (PFETs), transmission gates, or another type of switch. For an example of a switch implemented with an NFET, the switch is turned on by applying a high voltage (e.g., the supply voltage) to the gate of the NFET and turned off by applying a low voltage (e.g., ground) to the gate of the NFET. For an example of a switch implemented with a PFET, the switch is turned off by applying a high voltage (e.g., the supply voltage) to the gate of the PFET and turned on by applying a low voltage (e.g., ground) to the gate of the PFET.

[0260] In the present disclosure, the term "exemplary" is used to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any implementation or aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as superior to other aspects of the present disclosure. Similarly, the term "aspect" does not require that all aspects of the present disclosure include the discussed features, advantages, or modes of operation. The term "coupled" is used herein to refer to a direct or indirect electrical coupling between two structures. It should also be understood that the term "ground" may refer to DC ground or AC ground, and thus the term "ground" encompasses both possibilities.

[0261] The foregoing description of the present disclosure has been provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A device, comprising: A transformer, including a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor; A power amplifier, coupled to the first inductor; A first antenna, coupled to a first terminal of the second inductor; A second antenna, coupled to a second terminal of the second inductor; A first switch, coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and ground; A second switch, coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and the ground; And A low-noise amplifier, coupled to the third inductor.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna includes a patch antenna, and the second antenna includes a dipole antenna.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna is on a first surface, the second antenna is on a second surface, and the first surface and the second surface face different directions.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first surface and the second surface are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the power amplifier is a differential power amplifier having a first output and a second output, the first output is coupled to a first terminal of the first inductor, and the second output is coupled to a second terminal of the first inductor.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a shunt inductor, the shunt inductor being coupled between the second inductor and ground.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the shunt inductor is coupled to a center tap of the second inductor.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: A first shunt inductor, coupled in parallel with the first switch; And A second shunt inductor, coupled in parallel with the second switch.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a controller, the controller being configured to: In the first antenna mode, turn off the first switch and turn on the second switch; and In the second antenna mode, turn on the first switch and turn off the second switch.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a third switch, the third switch being coupled between an input of the low-noise amplifier and the ground.

11. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a third switch, the third switch being coupled between a first terminal of the third inductor and the ground, wherein an input of the low-noise amplifier is coupled to a second terminal of the third inductor.

12. The device according to claim 11, further comprising a fourth switch, the fourth switch being coupled between the input of the low-noise amplifier and the ground.

13. The device according to claim 12, further comprising a controller, the controller being configured to: In the transmission mode, turn off the third switch and turn on the fourth switch; and In the reception mode, turn on the third switch and turn off the fourth switch.

14. A wireless device, comprising: A first antenna array, including a first plurality of antennas; A second antenna array, including a second plurality of antennas; A plurality of power amplifiers; A plurality of low-noise amplifiers; And Multiple switching circuits, where each of the multiple switching circuits includes: A transformer including a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor, where the first inductor is coupled to a corresponding power amplifier among the multiple power amplifiers, a first terminal of the second inductor is coupled to a corresponding antenna among the first plurality of antennas, a second terminal of the second inductor is coupled to a corresponding antenna among the second plurality of antennas, and the third inductor is coupled to a corresponding low-noise amplifier among the multiple low-noise amplifiers; A first switch coupled between the first terminal of the second inductor and the ground; and A second switch coupled between the second terminal of the second inductor and the ground.

15. The wireless device according to claim 14, where each antenna among the first plurality of antennas includes a patch antenna, and each antenna among the second plurality of antennas includes a dipole antenna.

16. The wireless device according to claim 14, where the first plurality of antennas are on a first surface, the second plurality of antennas are on a second surface, and the first surface and the second surface face different directions.

17. A device includes: A transformer including a first inductor, a second inductor, a third inductor, and a fourth inductor; A power amplifier coupled to the first inductor; A low-noise amplifier coupled to the second inductor; A first antenna coupled to a first terminal of the third inductor; A first switch coupled between a second terminal of the third inductor and the ground; A second antenna coupled to a first terminal of the fourth inductor; And A second switch coupled between a second terminal of the fourth inductor and the ground.

18. The device according to claim 17, where the first antenna includes a patch antenna, and the second antenna includes a dipole antenna.

19. The device according to claim 17, where the first antenna is on a first surface, the second antenna is on a second surface, and the first surface and the second surface face different directions.

20. The device according to claim 17, further includes: A first shunt inductor coupled in parallel with the first switch; And A second shunt inductor coupled in parallel with the second switch.

21. The device according to claim 17, further includes a controller configured to: In a first antenna mode, turn on the first switch and turn off the second switch; and In a second antenna mode, turn off the first switch and turn on the second switch.

22. The device according to claim 17, further includes a third switch coupled between an input of the low-noise amplifier and the ground.

23. The device according to claim 17, further includes: A third switch coupled between the first terminal of the third inductor and the ground; And A fourth switch coupled between the first terminal of the fourth inductor and the ground.

24. The device according to claim 23, further includes a controller configured to: In the first antenna mode, turn on the first switch, turn off the second switch, turn off the third switch, and turn on the fourth switch; and In the second antenna mode, turn off the first switch, turn on the second switch, turn on the third switch, and turn off the fourth switch.

25. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a first terminal of the second inductor is coupled to an input of the low-noise amplifier, and the apparatus further includes a third switch coupled between a second terminal of the second inductor and ground.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, further including a fourth switch coupled between the input of the low-noise amplifier and ground.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, further including a controller configured to: In a receive mode, turn on the third switch and turn off the fourth switch; and In a transmit mode, turn off the third switch and turn on the fourth switch.

28. A wireless device, comprising: A first antenna array including a first plurality of antennas; A second antenna array including a second plurality of antennas; A plurality of power amplifiers; A plurality of low-noise amplifiers; And A plurality of switch circuits, wherein each switch circuit of the plurality of switch circuits includes: A transformer including a first inductor, a second inductor, a third inductor, and a fourth inductor, wherein the first inductor is coupled to a corresponding power amplifier of the plurality of power amplifiers, the second inductor is coupled to a corresponding low-noise amplifier of the plurality of low-noise amplifiers, a first terminal of the third inductor is coupled to a corresponding antenna of the first plurality of antennas, and a first terminal of the fourth inductor is coupled to a corresponding antenna of the second plurality of antennas; A first switch coupled between a second terminal of the third inductor and ground; and A second switch coupled between a second terminal of the fourth inductor and ground.

29. The wireless device according to claim 28, wherein each antenna of the first plurality of antennas includes a patch antenna, and each antenna of the second plurality of antennas includes a dipole antenna.

30. The wireless device according to claim 28, wherein the first plurality of antennas are on a first surface, the second plurality of antennas are on a second surface, and the first surface and the second surface face different directions.

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