Parallel TX / RX parallel impedance matching with RX mutual inductance matching

Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a transmitter output impedance matching circuit including an inductive element; a low noise amplifier (LNA) including a first field effect transistor (FET); a receiver input impedance matching circuit, the receiver input impedance matching circuit comprising: a converter comprising a first winding and a second winding; and a capacitor coupled in series with the first winding between the first end of the inductive element and the gate of the first FET, where the second winding is coupled to the second end of the inductive element; and a radio frequency (RF) port coupled between the first end of the inductive element and the capacitor.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This patent application claims priority to pending U.S. nonprovisional application No. 18 / 458,910, filed August 30, 2023, which has been assigned to the assignee of this application and is expressly incorporated herein by reference, as fully set forth below and for all applicable purposes. Technical Field

[0002] All aspects of this disclosure relate generally to radio frequency (RF) front ends, and more specifically to parallel impedance matching of parallel transmitter / receiver (Tx / Rx) using Rx mutual inductance matching. Background Technology

[0003] A transceiver may include a transmitter and a receiver sharing a radio frequency (RF) port connected to an antenna. In a time-division duplex (TDD) communication scheme, it may be desirable for the transmitter to send RF signals via the RF port and antenna, while the receiver presents a high impedance relative to the transmitter to prevent damage to the receiver components and to prevent leakage of the transmitter's RF signals into the receiver. It may also be desirable for the receiver to receive RF signals via the antenna and RF port, while the transmitter presents a high impedance relative to the receiver to prevent leakage of the received RF signals into the transmitter. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The following is a simplified overview of one or more specific implementations to provide a basic understanding of such implementations. This overview is not an exhaustive summary of all envisioned implementations, nor is it intended to identify key or essential elements of all implementations, nor to depict 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 descriptions that follow.

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure relates to an apparatus. The apparatus includes: a transmitter output impedance matching circuit including an inductor; a low-noise amplifier (LNA) including a first field-effect transistor (FET); and a receiver input impedance matching circuit including: a converter including a first winding and a second winding; and a capacitor coupled in series with the first winding between a first end of the inductor and the gate of the first FET, wherein the second winding is coupled to a second end of the inductor; and a radio frequency (RF) port coupled between the first end of the inductor and the capacitor.

[0006] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a method. The method includes: receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal at a port; routing a first portion of the received RF signal from the port to a low noise amplifier (LNA) via a capacitor and a first winding of a converter; and routing a second portion of the received RF signal from the port via an inductor and a second winding of the converter, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal increases the mutual inductance of the converter.

[0007] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a method. The method includes: in a transmit mode: generating a transmit radio frequency (RF) signal at a differential output of a power amplifier (PA); routing the transmit RF signal to an RF port via a primary and secondary winding of a balun, wherein the balun improves impedance matching between the differential output of the PA and the RF port; and isolating a low-noise amplifier (LNA) from the transmit RF signal via a capacitor coupled between the RF port and a ground terminal; and in a receive mode: decoupling the capacitor from the ground terminal; routing a first portion of a received RF signal at the RF port to the LNA via the capacitor and a first winding of a converter; and routing a second portion of the received RF signal from the RF port to the ground terminal via the secondary winding of the balun and a second winding of the converter, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal increases the mutual inductance of the converter to counteract the negative reactance presented by the capacitor to the first portion of the received RF signal.

[0008] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to an apparatus. The apparatus includes: a transmitting circuit including a transmitter output impedance matching circuit coupled between a power amplifier and a shared transmit-receive port; and a receiving circuit including: a low-noise amplifier (LNA); and a receiver input matching circuit coupled between the shared transmit-receive port and an input of the LNA, the receiver input matching circuit including: a converter including a first winding and a second winding, wherein the second winding is coupled to the transmitter output impedance matching circuit.

[0009] To achieve the foregoing and related objectives, one or more embodiments include the features fully described below and specifically pointed out in the claims. The following description and accompanying figures illustrate certain exemplary aspects of one or more embodiments in detail. However, these aspects are merely indications of a number of ways in which the principles of the various embodiments may be employed, and the description of the embodiments is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1A block diagram of an example transceiver according to one aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0011] Figure 2 A block diagram of another example transceiver according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0012] Figure 3 A block diagram illustrating an example radio frequency (RF) front end according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0013] Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating another example radio frequency (RF) front end according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0014] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front end according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0015] Figure 6 A block diagram illustrating another example radio frequency (RF) front end according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0016] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front end according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0017] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front end according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0018] Figure 9A A schematic diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front end according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0019] Figure 9B A schematic diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front end according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown.

[0020] Figure 10 A block diagram / schematic representation of another example radio frequency (RF) front end according to another aspect of this disclosure is illustrated.

[0021] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating an example method for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to another aspect of this disclosure is provided.

[0022] Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating an example method for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals according to another aspect of this disclosure is provided. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The detailed description below, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the various concepts, the detailed description includes specific details. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can 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.

[0024] Figure 1 A block diagram of an example transceiver 100 according to one aspect of this disclosure is illustrated. The transceiver 100 can be used in many types of wireless communication devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, desktop and laptop computers, automotive electronics, the Internet of Things (IoT), etc.) and many types of wireless communication applications (e.g., wireless wide area networks (WWANs), such as those conforming to Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G New Radio (5G NR), both defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP); wireless local area networks (WLANs), such as WiFi, Ultra Wideband (UWB), and V2X as defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 protocol; personal area networks (PANs), such as Bluetooth, etc.).

[0025] Transceiver 100 includes a modem 110, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 120, a spectrum transmit template (SEM) filter 125, one or more upconversion stages 130 (e.g., baseband to RF (BB to RF) upconversion stages, or baseband to IF to RF (BB to IF to RF) upconversion stages), one or more downconversion stages 135 (e.g., RF to BB, or RF to IF to BB), an anti-aliasing low-pass filter (LPF) 140, and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 145. Additionally, transceiver 100 includes at least one clock source 150 configured to generate a set of clock signals F for the modem 110, DAC 120, ADC 145, and upconversion / downconversion stages 130 and 135, respectively. BBPHY F DAC F ADC and F LO In addition, the transceiver 100 includes an RF front end (RF FE) 160 and at least one antenna 180.

[0026] Regarding signal transmission, modem 110 is configured to be based on clock signal F. BBPHY (For example, at a data rate determined by the clock signal) to generate the digital transmit baseband data signal D. TXBB The DAC 120 is configured to operate based on clock signal F. DAC(For example, at a sampling rate determined by the clock signal) to transmit the digital baseband data signal D. TXBB Converted into analog baseband digital signal V TXBB One or more upconversion stages 130 are configured to operate based on one or more local oscillator (LO) clock signals F, respectively. LO The analog baseband data signal V, filtered by SEM filter 125, will be transmitted. TXBB Converted into transmitted RF signal V TXRF As further discussed herein, the RF FE 160 may include a power amplifier (PA) configured to amplify the transmitted RF signal V. TXRF For wireless transmission via at least one antenna 180.

[0027] Regarding signal reception, RF FE 160 may also include a low-noise amplifier (LNA) configured to amplify the RF signal received via at least one antenna 180 to generate the received RF signal V. RXRF As further discussed in this document, one or more downconverter stages 135 are configured to operate based on one or more LO clock signals F. LO To receive the RF signal V RXRF Down-converted to analog receive baseband data signal V RXBB It should be noted that if transceiver 100 uses time-division duplex (TDD) to transmit and receive signals, then up-converter stage 130 / down-converter stage 135 can use the same one or more LO clock signals. ADC 145 is configured to be based on clock signal F. ADC (For example, at a sampling rate determined by the clock signal) the analog received baseband data signal V, filtered by the anti-aliasing filter 140. RXBB Converted into digital baseband data signal D RXBB Modem 110 is configured to operate based on clock signal F. BBPHY (For example, at a rate determined by the clock signal) to process the digital received baseband data signal D RXBB (For example, to extract data from the baseband data signal received from that digital receiver).

[0028] Figure 2 A block diagram illustrating another example transceiver 200 according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown. Transceiver 200 may be an example specific implementation of the transceiver 100 previously discussed. Specifically, transceiver 200 may be an example UWB transceiver configured to transmit and receive ultra-wideband (UWB) signals (e.g., pulses).

[0029] Regarding UWB pulses, UWB connectivity is a short-range wireless communication protocol that operates at a very high frequency compared to other short-range wireless communication technologies (e.g., Bluetooth, WLAN, Zigbee, etc.) and uses a relatively wide frequency band (e.g., 500MHz or greater). This makes UWB usable for high-resolution positioning and localization purposes. In some cases, UWB technology can be used for location discovery, device ranging, etc. In some cases, a UWB transmitter (e.g., a transceiver 100 or 200 implemented as a UWB transmitter) can transmit numerous pulses within a wide frequency spectrum, and a corresponding UWB receiver (e.g., located at another UWB-enabled device) can convert these pulses into data.

[0030] Transceiver 200 includes a modem 210, a UWB pulse shaping circuit 215, a DAC 220, a receive mixer 235, an anti-aliasing low-pass filter (LPF) 240, and an ADC 245. Additionally, transceiver 200 includes at least one clock source 250 configured to generate a set of clock signals F for the modem 210, UWB pulse shaping circuit 215, ADC 245, DAC 220, and receive mixer 235, respectively. BBPHY F DOSR F AOSR and F LO In addition, transceiver 200 includes RF FE 260 and at least one antenna 280.

[0031] Regarding signal transmission, modem 210 is configured to be based on clock signal F. BBPHY (For example, at a data rate determined by the clock signal) to generate the digital transmit baseband data signal D. TXBB The UWB shaping circuit 215 is configured to operate based on the clock signal F. DOSR (For example, using an oversampling rate (OSR) determined by the clock signal) to transmit the digital baseband data signal D. TXBB Converted into UWB pulse signal D UWB The DAC 220 is configured to operate based on UWB pulse signals D. UWB and LO clock signal F LO To generate and transmit RF signal V TXRF As previously mentioned, the RF FE 260 may include a PA configured to amplify the transmitted RF signal V. TXRF For wireless transmission via at least one antenna 280.

[0032] Regarding signal reception, the RF FE 260 may also include an LNA configured to amplify the RF signal received via at least one antenna 280 to generate the received RF signal V. RXRF As previously mentioned, the receive mixer 235 is configured to operate based on the LO clock signal F. LO To receive the RF signal V RXRF Down-converted to analog receive baseband data signal V RXBB The ADC 145 is configured to operate based on clock signal F. AOSR (For example, using an oversampling rate (OSR) determined by the clock signal) to filter the analog received baseband data signal V by the anti-aliasing filter 240. RXBB Converted into digital baseband data signal D RXBB The modem 210 is configured to operate based on clock signal F. BBPHY (For example, at a rate determined by the clock signal) to process the digital received baseband data signal D RXBB (For example, to extract data from the baseband data signal received from that digital receiver).

[0033] Figure 3 A block diagram illustrating an example radio frequency (RF) front-end 300 according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown. The RF front-end 300 may be an example embodiment of either the RF FE 160 and 260 previously discussed. The RF front-end 300 may be implemented for time-division duplex (TDD) signal transmission / reception, wherein signals are transmitted and received at different non-overlapping time intervals.

[0034] Specifically, the RF front-end 300 includes a power amplifier (PA) 310, a transmitter (Tx) output impedance matching circuit 320, and a transmit switching device SW. TX and RF port 330 (e.g., a shared transmit-receive port for coupling to at least one antenna (such as at least one antenna 180 and 280 previously discussed). RF front end 300 further includes receive switching device SW. RX The receiver (Rx) input impedance matching circuit 340 and the low noise amplifier (LNA) 350 are included.

[0035] In transmit mode, PA 310 is configured to amplify (e.g., receive from one or more upconversion stages 130 of transceiver 100 or DAC 220 of transceiver 200) the transmitted RF signal V. TXRX The Tx output impedance matching circuit 320 is configured to substantially impedance match the output of PA 310 with at least one antenna coupled to RF port 330. And the transmit switching device SW... TX In response to a mode signal indicating the transmission mode, the amplified transmitted RF signal V is closed or opened.TXRX Routing to RF port 330. Additionally, receiving the switching device SW. RX It also disconnects or shuts off in response to a mode signal indicating the transmission mode, thereby connecting the LNA 350 to the amplified transmitted RF signal V. TXRX In effect, it is isolated.

[0036] In receive mode, via receive switching device SW RX The Rx input impedance matching circuit 340 provides the RF signal received from at least one antenna via RF port 330 to the input of LNA 350. Receive switching device SW RX The LNA 350 is closed or opened in response to a mode signal indicating the receiving mode to route the received RF signal to the input of the LNA 350. The Rx input impedance matching circuit 340 is configured to substantially impedance match at least one antenna coupled to the RF port 330 with the input of the LNA 350. The LNA 350 is configured to amplify the received RF signal to generate an amplified received RF signal V. RXRF (For example, one or more downconverter stages 135 provided to transceiver 100 or receiver mixer 235 of transceiver 200). Additionally, the transmitting switching device SW TX It also disconnects or shuts down in response to a mode signal indicating the receiving mode to substantially isolate PA310 from the received RF signal at RF port 330.

[0037] The drawback of the RF front-end 300 is that it transmits to the switching device SW. TX and receiving switching equipment SW RX Generally, it exhibits significant resistance, which can degrade signal transmission and reception performance. For example, in transmit mode, the transmit switching device SW TX The resistance can reduce the power level of the transmitted RF signal. In receive mode, the receive switching device SW RX The increased resistance can increase the insertion loss of the receiver; and thus, decrease the receiver gain, increase the noise figure (NF), and decrease the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Alternatively, these switches SW TX and SW RX Several additional support blocks are typically required to achieve higher performance for the RF front-end 300. For example, such support blocks may include charge pumps providing high logic voltage levels, negative voltages providing low logic levels, and dedicated devices that can operate reliably by means of such high levels. However, this increases the complexity, footprint, and cost of the RF front-end 300.

[0038] Figure 4A block diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front-end 400 according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown. The RF front-end 400 may also be an example embodiment of either the RF FE 160 and 260 previously discussed. Similarly, the RF front-end 400 can be implemented in a time-division duplex (TDD) transceiver, wherein signals are transmitted and received at different non-overlapping time intervals. As further discussed herein, the RF front-end 400 avoids signal-path transmission and reception switching devices and employs parallel impedance matching for the transmitter and receiver.

[0039] Specifically, the RF front-end 400 includes a power amplifier (PA) 410, a transmitter (Tx) output impedance matching circuit 420, and an RF port 430 (e.g., for coupling to at least one antenna, such as at least one antenna 180 and 280 previously discussed). The RF front-end 400 further includes a mode switching device SW_TX, a receiver (Rx) input impedance matching circuit 440, and a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 450.

[0040] In transmit mode, PA 410 is configured to amplify (e.g., receive from one or more upconversion stages 130 of transceiver 100 or DAC 220 of transceiver 200) the transmitted RF signal V. TXRX The Tx output impedance matching circuit 420 is configured to substantially impedance match the output of PA 410 with at least one antenna coupled to RF port 430. The mode switching device SW_TX closes or opens in response to a mode signal indicating the transmit mode to couple the receiver input to ground, thereby connecting LNA 450 to the amplified transmit RF signal V. TXRX In effect, it is isolated.

[0041] In receive mode, the RF signal received from at least one antenna via RF port 430 is provided to the input of LNA 450 via Tx output impedance matching circuit 420 and Rx input impedance matching circuit 440. The mode switching device SW_TX is turned off or on in response to a mode signal indicating the receive mode to substantially isolate the receiver's input from the ground terminal. Tx output impedance matching circuit 420 and Rx input impedance matching circuit 440 are jointly configured to substantially impedance match the at least one antenna coupled to RF port 430 with the input of LNA 450. LNA 450 is configured to amplify the received RF signal to generate an amplified received RF signal V. RXRF (For example, one or more downconversion stages 135 provided to transceiver 100 or receive mixer 235 of transceiver 200).

[0042] As further discussed in this paper with reference to the specific implementation of RF front-end 400, a drawback of this RF front-end is that, in receive mode, the Tx output impedance matching circuit 420 can exhibit a self-resonant frequency (SRF) within or near certain frequency bands. This SRF generates a relatively high impedance at the receiver input, causing the RF signal received from at least one antenna via RF port 430 to not significantly reach the input of LNA 450. Therefore, the receiver may not be able to receive or even detect the RF signal.

[0043] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front-end 500 according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown. As mentioned, the RF front-end 500 is an example embodiment of the RF front-end 400 previously discussed. Similarly, the RF front-end 500 includes a power amplifier (PA) 510, a transmitter (Tx) output impedance matching circuit 520, and an RF port 530 (e.g., for coupling to at least one antenna, such as at least one antenna 180 and 280 previously discussed). The RF front-end 500 further includes a mode switching device SW_TX, a receiver (Rx) input impedance matching circuit 540, and a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 550.

[0044] PA 510 is configured to receive and amplify (e.g., from one or more upconversion stages 130 of transceiver 100 or DAC 220 of transceiver 200) differentially transmitted RF signals V. TXRX The Tx output impedance matching circuit 520 is configured to substantially impedance match the differential output of PA 510 with at least one antenna coupled to RF port 530. In this regard, the Tx output impedance matching circuit 520 includes a balun 522 comprising a primary winding L1 and a secondary winding L2. The differential output of PA 510 is coupled to both ends of the primary winding L1 of the balun 522. The Tx output impedance matching circuit 520 further includes a capacitor C1 (e.g., a parasitic and / or component) coupled across the differential output of PA 510.

[0045] The RF front end 500 further includes a PA bias circuit, which includes a function for receiving a supply voltage V. DDPA Port 524 is coupled to series capacitor C2 and series resistor R2 to ground. The supply voltage V is delivered via the center tap of the primary winding L1 of the balun 522 and the differential output of PA 510. DDPA Routing to PA 510. Additionally, RF front end 500 includes a mode switching device SW_TX that is coupled between the secondary winding L2 of balun 522 and ground terminal in response to a mode signal.

[0046] The Rx input impedance matching circuit 540 includes a first (e.g., gate) inductor L g Second (e.g., source) inductor L s The LNA 550 includes a first field-effect transistor (FET) M1 (e.g., an n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (NMOS FET)) and a second FET M2 (e.g., an NMOS FET). Gate inductor L... g Coupled between the node and the gate of FET M1, this node is located between the secondary winding L2 of the balun 522 and the mode switching device SW_TX. As indicated by the polarity dot, the gate inductor L... g With source inductor L s They may be coupled to each other or uncoupled; and thus, their coupling coefficient k may be between zero (0) and one (1).

[0047] Source Inductor L s The first FET M1 is coupled between its source and ground. The second FET M2 is coupled in series with the first FET M1 between the output of the LNA 550 and ground. The second FET M2 includes components configured to receive a common-source, common-gate bias voltage V. CAS The gate. It should be understood that the LNA 550 can have different configurations. The LNA 550 is configured to amplify the received RF signal to generate an amplified received RF signal V. RXRF (For example, one or more downconversion stages 135 provided to transceiver 100 or receive mixer 235 of transceiver 200).

[0048] In transmit mode, the mode switching device SW_TX closes or opens in response to a mode signal indicating the transmit mode to couple the input of the Rx input impedance matching circuit 540 to the ground terminal, thereby connecting the LNA 550 to the amplified transmit RF signal V. TXRX In effect, the mode switching device SW_TX is switched off or off in response to a mode signal indicating the receive mode, thereby substantially isolating the input of the Rx input impedance matching circuit 540 from the ground terminal. This is achieved via the secondary winding L2 of the balun 522 and the gate inductor L of the Rx input impedance matching circuit 540. g The RF signal received from at least one antenna via RF port 530 is routed to LNA 550. Rx input impedance matching circuit 540 takes into account the output impedance matching network 520 of PA 510 (e.g., the transformed impedances of C1 and L1 and the impedance of the secondary winding L2 of balun 522), gate inductor L... g Source Inductor L sand the gate-source capacitance C of FET M1 gs To achieve impedance matching between RF port 530 and LNA 550.

[0049] As previously mentioned regarding the RF front-end 400, the Tx output impedance matching circuit 520 may exhibit a self-resonant frequency (SRF) within or near certain frequency bands. For example, the capacitor C1 at the output of PA 510 appears via electromagnetic coupling in the secondary winding L2 of the balun 522. Furthermore, due to the non-ideal nature of the balun 522, the secondary winding L2 also exhibits resistance. Therefore, the secondary winding L2 can be modeled as a parallel RLC circuit (e.g., or a low-Q inductor). Consequently, the secondary winding L2 may exhibit an SRF within or near the frequency band of the received RF signal. This type of SRF creates a relatively high impedance at the receiver input, making it possible that the received RF signal may not significantly reach the input of LNA 550.

[0050] Figure 6 A block diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front-end 600 according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown. The RF front-end 600 may also be an example embodiment of either the RF FE 160 and 260 previously discussed. Similarly, the RF front-end 600 may be implemented in a time-division duplex (TDD) transceiver, wherein signals are transmitted and received at different non-overlapping time intervals. As further discussed herein, the RF front-end 600 prevents the received RF signal from passing through the Tx output impedance matching circuit; and therefore, prevents the Tx output impedance matching circuit from presenting an SRF to the received RF signal.

[0051] Specifically, the RF front-end 600 includes a power amplifier (PA) 610, a transmitter (Tx) output impedance matching circuit 620, and an RF port 630 (e.g., for coupling to at least one antenna, such as at least one antenna 180 and 280 previously discussed). The RF front-end 600 further includes a receiver (Rx) input impedance matching circuit 640, a mode switching device SW_TX, and a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 650.

[0052] In transmit mode, PA 610 is configured to amplify (e.g., receive from one or more upconversion stages 130 of transceiver 100 or DAC 220 of transceiver 200) the transmitted RF signal V. TXRXThe Tx output impedance matching circuit 620 is configured to substantially impedance match the output of PA 610 with at least one antenna coupled to RF port 630. The mode switching device SW_TX closes or opens in response to a mode signal indicating the transmit mode to couple the receiver input to ground, thereby connecting LNA 650 to the amplified transmit RF signal V. TXRX In effect, it is isolated.

[0053] In receive mode, the RF signal received from at least one antenna via RF port 630 is provided to the input of LNA 650 via Rx input impedance matching circuit 640. Mode switching device SW_TX is turned off or on in response to a mode signal indicating the receive mode to substantially isolate the receiver's input from the ground terminal. Rx input impedance matching circuit 640 is configured to substantially impedance match at least one antenna coupled to RF port 630 with the input of LNA 650. LNA 650 is configured to amplify the received RF signal to generate an amplified received RF signal V. RXRF (For example, one or more downconversion stages 135 provided to transceiver 100 or receive mixer 235 of transceiver 200).

[0054] In the RF front-end 600, the received RF signal does not pass through the Tx output impedance matching circuit 620. Therefore, the received RF signal is not subjected to the high impedance of the SRF generated by the secondary winding of the balun in the Tx output impedance matching circuit 620. In fact, in the RF front-end 600, since the SRF generated by the secondary winding of the balun presents a high impedance relative to the receiver, this SRF improves the performance of the RF front-end 600; and thus, prevents the received RF signal from leaking into the transmitter.

[0055] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front-end 700 according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown. The RF front-end 700 is an example embodiment of the RF front-end 600 previously discussed. Similarly, the RF front-end 700 includes a power amplifier (PA) 710, a transmitter (Tx) output impedance matching circuit 720, and an RF port 730 (e.g., for coupling to at least one antenna, such as at least one antenna 180 and 280 previously discussed). The RF front-end 700 further includes a mode switching device SW_TX, a receiver (Rx) input impedance matching circuit 740, and a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 750.

[0056] PA 710 is configured to receive and amplify (e.g., from one or more upconversion stages 130 of transceiver 100 or DAC 220 of transceiver 200) differentially transmitted RF signals V. TXRXThe Tx output impedance matching circuit 720 is configured to substantially impedance match the differential output of PA 710 with at least one antenna coupled to RF port 730. In this regard, the Tx output impedance matching circuit 720 includes a balun 722 comprising a primary winding L1 and a secondary winding L2. The differential output of PA 710 is coupled to both ends of the primary winding L1 of the balun 722. The Tx output impedance matching circuit 720 further includes a pair of capacitors C coupled between the differential output of PA 710 and ground. 1+ and C 1- (e.g., parasitic and / or component). The supply voltage V for PA 710 can be obtained via the center tap of the primary winding L1 of the balun 722 and the differential output of PA 710. DDPA Routing to that PA.

[0057] The Rx input impedance matching circuit 740 includes an AC coupling capacitor C. AC First (e.g., gate) inductor L g Second (e.g., source) inductor L s The LNA 750 includes a first FET M1 (e.g., an NMOS FET) and a second FET M2 (e.g., an NMOS FET). The RF port 730 is coupled to the secondary winding L2 of the balun 722 with the AC coupling capacitor C. AC Between. Gate inductor L g Coupled in AC coupling capacitor C AC Between the gate of FET M1 and the source inductor L. s Coupled between the source and ground terminal of FETM1. Gate inductor L g With source inductor L s In the case of opposite polarity (such as inductor L) g The polarity dot on the gate side and the inductor L s (Indicated by the polarity dots on the grounding side) are coupled to each other.

[0058] The second FET M2 is coupled in series with the first FET M1 between the output terminal and the ground terminal of the LNA 750. The second FET M2 includes a component configured to receive a common-source, common-gate bias voltage V. CAS The gate. It should be understood that the LNA 750 can have different configurations. The LNA 750 is configured to amplify the received RF signal to generate an amplified received RF signal V. RXRF(For example, one or more downconversion stages 135 provided to transceiver 100 or receive mixer 235 of transceiver 200). The mode switch SW_TX is coupled to the AC coupling capacitor C in response to a mode signal indicating the transmit or receive mode. AC With gate inductor L g The nodes between them are coupled to the grounding terminal.

[0059] In transmit mode, the mode switching device SW_TX closes or opens in response to the mode signal indicating the transmit mode to connect or disconnect the AC coupling capacitor C. AC With gate inductor L g The nodes between them are coupled to the ground terminal, thereby connecting the LNA 750 to the amplified transmitted RF signal V. TXRX Essentially isolated. In receive mode, the mode switching device SW_TX turns off or off in response to the mode signal indicating the receive mode to essentially isolate the input of the LNA 750 from the ground terminal. Therefore, the AC coupling capacitor C via the Rx input impedance matching circuit 740... AC and gate inductor L g The RF signal received from at least one antenna via RF port 730 is routed to LNA 750. The Rx input impedance matching circuit 740 takes into account the gate inductor L... g Source Inductor L s The inductance and mutual inductance of the AC coupling capacitor C AC The capacitance and the gate-source capacitance C of FET M1 gs To achieve impedance matching between RF port 730 and LNA 750.

[0060] In receive mode, the self-resonant frequency (SRF) of the secondary winding L2 of the balun 722 exhibits relatively high impedance as previously discussed, and substantially isolates the receiver side from the transmitter side. Therefore, in the case of the RF front-end 700, the SRF of the balun 522 is positive compared to that in the RF front-end 500.

[0061] However, in transmission mode, the AC coupling capacitor C AC This introduces problems for the transmitter. For example, from the transmitter's perspective, the desired AC coupling capacitor C is... AC Its relatively small size results in a high impedance relative to the transmitter, effectively preventing the transmission of RF signals via the AC coupling capacitor C. AC The mode switching device SW_TX leaks to ground. On the other hand, in receive mode, it is desirable for the AC coupling capacitor C to... ACThe relatively large impedance allows the received RF signal to propagate to the input of the LNA 750 with minimal loss.

[0062] AC coupling capacitor C AC One solution to the conflicting interests or dilemmas is to use AC coupling capacitor C. AC Configured with moderate impedance or reactance (e.g., -J50Ω) to attempt to reduce leakage of transmitted RF signals to ground in transmit mode. Additionally, the gate inductor L... g The inductance is increased to a level similar to the reactance (e.g., +j50Ω) to offset or substantially eliminate the AC coupling capacitor C. AC The reactance. However, the gate inductor L g The increased reactance will also cause the gate inductor L g The increased resistance leads to additional losses in the received RF signal, which can cause various problems for the receiver, such as reduced sensitivity, increased noise figure (NF), and decreased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

[0063] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front end according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown. RF front end 800 is another example embodiment of the RF front end 600 previously discussed.

[0064] Specifically, the RF front-end 800 includes a power amplifier (PA) 810, a transmitter (Tx) output impedance matching circuit 820, and an RF port 830 (e.g., for coupling to at least one antenna, such as at least one antenna 180 and 280 previously discussed). The RF front-end 800 further includes a first mode switching device SW_TX1 and a second mode switching device SW_TX2, a receiver (Rx) input impedance matching circuit 840, and a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 850.

[0065] PA 810 is configured to receive and amplify (e.g., from one or more upconversion stages 130 of transceiver 100 or DAC 220 of transceiver 200) differentially transmitted RF signals V TXRX The Tx output impedance matching circuit 820 is configured to substantially impedance match the differential output of PA 810 with at least one antenna coupled to RF port 830. In this regard, the Tx output impedance matching circuit 820 includes a balun 822 comprising a primary winding L1 and a secondary winding L2. The differential output of PA 810 is coupled to both ends of the primary winding L1 of the balun 822. The Tx output impedance matching circuit 820 further includes a pair of capacitors C coupled between the differential output of PA 810 and ground. 1+ and C1- (e.g., parasitic and / or component). The supply voltage V for PA 810 can be obtained via the center tap of the primary winding L1 of the balun 822 and the differential output of PA 810. DDPA Routing to that PA.

[0066] The Rx input impedance matching circuit 840 includes an AC coupling capacitor C. AC And converter 842. LNA 850 includes a first FET M1 (e.g., an NMOS FET) and a second FET M2 (e.g., an NMOS FET). RF port 830 is coupled to the secondary winding L2 of balun 822 with AC coupling capacitor C. AC Between. The converter 842 includes a coupling capacitor C between AC and AC. AC The first winding L between the gate of FET M1 g The converter 842 includes two sub-windings L. gnd and L s The second winding. The first winding L g Second winding L gnd / L s Winded into opposite polarity configurations, such as the first winding L g C AC The polarity dot on the side and the second winding L gnd / L s The polarity dot on the FET M1 side indicates this. The two sub-windings L... gnd With L s Disconnect by tapping the connection to the ground terminal.

[0067] The second FET M2 is coupled in series with the first FET M1 at the output of the LNA 850 and the second winding L of the converter 842. gnd / L s Between. The second FET M2 includes a cascode bias voltage V. CAS The gate. It should be understood that the LNA850 can have different configurations. The LNA 850 is configured to amplify the received RF signal to generate an amplified received RF signal V. RXRF (For example, one or more downconversion stages 135 provided to transceiver 100 or receive mixer 235 of transceiver 200).

[0068] The first mode switching device SW_TX1 is coupled between the secondary winding L2 of the balun 822 and the ground terminal in response to a mode signal indicating the transmit or receive mode. The secondary winding L2 of the converter 842... gnd / L sCoupled between the secondary winding L2 of the balun 822 and the source of the FET M1, wherein a tap coupled to the ground terminal connects the sub-winding L... gnd With L s Separation, as discussed. The second mode switching device SW_TX2 is also coupled to the AC coupling capacitor C in response to a mode signal indicating the transmit or receive mode. AC Between and the grounding terminal.

[0069] In transmission mode, the first mode switching device SW_TX1 and the second mode switching device SW_TX2 close or open in response to the mode signal indicating the transmission mode to connect the lower end of the secondary winding L2 of the balun 822 to the AC coupling capacitor C. AC With the first winding L of converter 842 g The nodes between them are coupled to the ground terminal, thereby connecting the LNA 850 to the amplified transmitted RF signal V. TXRX In effect, it isolates the AC coupling capacitor C. AC The size can be set to have a capacitor used to achieve a certain impedance or negative reactance (e.g., -j50Ω) to isolate the transmitter from the receiver to some extent. As further discussed herein, in receive mode, converter 842 utilizes a positive reactance (e.g., +j50Ω) to cancel or substantially eliminate the AC coupling capacitor C. AC The negative reactance is such that it does not affect the received RF signal applied to the input of the LNA 850.

[0070] In receive mode, the first mode switching device SW_TX1 and the second mode switching device SW_TX2 are turned off or turned off in response to the mode signal indicating the receive mode. The second mode switching device SW_TX2 being turned off allows the first winding L of converter 842 to be switched off. g A first portion of the RF signal received by at least one antenna coupled to RF port 830 is applied to the input of LNA 850. Disconnection of the first mode switching device SW_TX1 allows the second portion of the received RF signal to be routed to the second winding L. gnd / L s Sub-winding L gnd The effective inductance of converter 842 is increased by additive mutual inductance.

[0071] That is, the received RF signal current flows from RF port 830 to the first winding L of converter 842. g The first part is due to AC coupling capacitor C AC The capacitance or negative reactance gives it a certain phase or sign. The received RF signal current flows from the RF port 830 to the second winding L. gnd / L sThe second part has substantially opposite phase or sign (opposite to the first part of the received RF signal current) due to the inductance or positive reactance of the secondary winding L2 of the balun 822. This is because the first winding L... g With the second winding L gnd / L s They are configured with opposite polarities, therefore the received RF signal current flows through the sub-winding L. gnd The second part enhances the inductance of converter 842 through mutual inductance. Therefore, compared to the RF front end 700, converter 842's capacitor C for eliminating AC coupling is... AC The inductance of the negative reactance can be increased by mutual inductance rather than by increasing the gate inductance L. g Increasing the inductance of the gate inductor, as discussed, has the undesirable effect of increasing its resistance.

[0072] Figure 9A A schematic diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front-end 900 according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown. The RF front-end 900 is a variation of the RF front-end 800 previously discussed and includes many of the same / similar elements indicated by the same reference numerals, except that the most significant digit is "9" in RF front-end 900 instead of "8" in RF front-end 800. Therefore, the detailed discussion of such similar / similar elements of RF front-end 800 applies to the same / similar elements of RF front-end 900.

[0073] The RF front end 900 differs from the RF front end 800 in that it further includes an inductor L3 coupled in parallel with the secondary winding L2 of the balun 922. For example, if the AC coupling capacitor C... AC If higher capacitance is desired, an inductor L3 may be included. AC coupling capacitor C AC The higher capacitance can adversely affect the transmitter's output impedance or S22 (e.g., by shifting the output impedance toward negative reactance, as seen in the Smith chart). Therefore, adding an inductor L3 can shift the output impedance back toward the real axis of the Smith chart (e.g., closer to 50Ω).

[0074] Figure 9B A schematic diagram illustrating another example of a radio frequency (RF) front-end 960 according to another aspect of this disclosure is shown. The RF front-end 960 is a variant of the RF front-ends 800 and 900 previously discussed. The RF front-end 960 differs from the RF front-ends 800 and 900 in that it includes a 3-pass converter 962 instead of a 2-pass converter 842 / 942. That is, the 3-pass converter 962 has three (3) separate windings L g L gnd and L sThe 2-pass converter 842 / 942 has two windings L g and L gnd / L s The second winding is tapped to form sub-winding L. gnd and L s As previously discussed. Similarly, the second winding L of the 3-way winding converter 962 gnd Coupled between the secondary winding L2 of the balun 922 and ground, and the third winding L s It is coupled between the source of the first FET M1 and ground.

[0075] Figure 10 A block diagram / schematic representation of another example radio frequency (RF) front-end 1000 according to another aspect of this disclosure is illustrated. The RF front-end 1000 includes: a transmitter output impedance matching circuit 1020 including an inductor element L; a low-noise amplifier (LNA) 1050 including a first field-effect transistor (FET) M1; and a receiver input impedance matching circuit 1040. The receiver input impedance matching circuit 1040 further includes: a converter 1042 including a first winding L. g Second winding L gnd / L s ; and capacitor C AC The capacitor is connected to the first winding L g The second winding L is series-coupled between the first end of the inductor element L and the gate of the first FET M1. gnd / L s Coupled to the second end of the inductor L. Additionally, the RF front end 1000 includes a capacitor C coupled to the first end of the inductor L. AC The radio frequency (RF) port 1030 between them.

[0076] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating an example method 1100 for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal according to another aspect of this disclosure is provided. Method 1100 includes receiving an RF signal at a port (e.g., RF port 830, 930, or 1030) (block 1110). Additionally, method 1100 includes receiving the signal via a capacitor (e.g., C). AC ) and the first winding (e.g., L) of the converter (e.g., 842, 942 or 1042). g The first portion of the received RF signal is routed from the port to a low-noise amplifier (LNA) (e.g., LNA 850, 950, or 1050) (box 1120). Method 1100 also includes a second winding of the converter (e.g., L2 or L) via an inductive element (e.g., L2 or L). gndThe second part of the received RF signal is routed from the port, wherein the second part of the received RF signal increases the mutual inductance of the converter (box 1130).

[0077] Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating an example method 1200 for transmitting and receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal according to another aspect of this disclosure is provided. Method 1200 includes, when in transmit mode: generating a transmit RF signal at the differential output of a power amplifier (PA) (e.g., PA 810 or 910) (block 1210). Additionally, method 1200 includes routing the transmit RF signal to an RF port (e.g., 830, 930, or 1030) via the primary and secondary windings (e.g., L1 and L2) of a balun (e.g., 822 or 922), wherein the balun improves impedance matching between the differential output of the PA and the RF port (block 1220). Furthermore, method 1200 includes a capacitor (e.g., C) between the RF port and a ground terminal via coupling (e.g., via a closed switching device SW_TX2). AC Isolate the low-noise amplifier (LNA) (e.g., 850, 950, or 1050) from the transmitted RF signal (box 1230).

[0078] Method 1200 also includes, when in receive mode: decoupling the capacitor from the ground terminal (e.g., via a disconnected switching device SW_TX2) (block 1240). Additionally, method 1200 includes, via the capacitor and a first winding (e.g., L) of a converter (e.g., 842, 942, or 1042). g The first portion of the received RF signal at the RF port is routed to the LNA (box 1250). Furthermore, method 1200 includes routing via the secondary winding of a balun and the second winding of a converter (e.g., L...). gnd The second portion of the received RF signal is routed from the RF port to the ground terminal, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal increases the mutual inductance of the converter to offset the negative reactance presented by the capacitor to the first portion of the received RF signal (box 1260).

[0079] The following provides an overview of the various aspects of this disclosure:

[0080] Aspect 1: An apparatus comprising: a transmitter output impedance matching circuit including an inductor; a low-noise amplifier (LNA) including a first field-effect transistor (FET); and a receiver input impedance matching circuit including: a converter including a first winding and a second winding; and a capacitor coupled in series with the first winding between a first end of the inductor and the gate of the first FET, wherein the second winding is coupled to a second end of the inductor; and a radio frequency (RF) port coupled between the first end of the inductor and the capacitor.

[0081] Aspect 2: The apparatus according to aspect 1, wherein the first winding and the second winding are configured with opposite polarities.

[0082] Aspect 3: The apparatus according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the second winding includes a tap coupled to a ground potential.

[0083] Aspect 4: The apparatus according to aspect 3, wherein the tap separates the first sub-winding of the second winding from the second sub-winding.

[0084] Aspect 5: The apparatus according to aspect 1 or 2, wherein the converter further includes a third winding coupled between the source of the first FET and a ground terminal, and wherein the second winding is coupled between the second end of the inductor and the ground terminal.

[0085] Aspect 6: The apparatus according to aspect 5, wherein the first winding and the third winding are configured with opposite polarities.

[0086] Aspect 7: The apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, the apparatus further comprising a switching device coupled between the second end of the inductive element and a ground terminal.

[0087] Aspect 8: The apparatus according to aspect 7, wherein the closed or open state of the switching device is respectively responsive to a mode signal indicating a transmit mode or a receive mode.

[0088] Aspect 9: The apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 8, the apparatus further comprising a switching device coupled between a node and a ground terminal, the node being located between the capacitor and the first winding.

[0089] Aspect 10: The apparatus according to aspect 9, wherein the closed or open state of the switching device is respectively responsive to a mode signal indicating a transmit mode or a receive mode.

[0090] Aspect 11: The apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the transmitter output impedance matching circuit includes a balun, the balun including a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein the inductor element includes the secondary winding.

[0091] Aspect 12: The apparatus according to aspect 11, wherein the inductive element further comprises an inductor coupled in parallel with the secondary winding.

[0092] Aspect 13: The apparatus according to aspect 11 or 12, the apparatus further comprising a power amplifier (PA) including differential outputs respectively coupled to the ends of the primary winding of the balun.

[0093] Aspect 14: The apparatus according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, the apparatus further comprising at least one antenna coupled to the RF port.

[0094] Aspect 15: The apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 14, wherein the LNA further includes a second FET coupled between the output of the LNA and the first FET, wherein the second FET includes a gate configured to receive a common-source, common-gate bias voltage.

[0095] Aspect 16: The apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 15, the apparatus further comprising one or more down-conversion stages coupled to the output of the LNA.

[0096] Aspect 17: The apparatus according to aspect 16 further includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the output of the one or more downconversion stages, wherein at least one clock source is coupled to the ADC.

[0097] Aspect 18: The apparatus according to aspect 17 further includes a modem coupled to the output of the ADC, wherein at least one clock source is coupled to the modem.

[0098] Aspect 19: The apparatus according to any one of Aspects 1 to 18, the apparatus further comprising a power amplifier (PA) including an output coupled to the transmitter output impedance matching circuit.

[0099] Aspect 20: The apparatus according to aspect 19, the apparatus further comprising: one or more upconversion stages coupled to an input of the PA; and at least one clock source coupled to the one or more upconversion stages.

[0100] Aspect 21: The apparatus according to aspect 20 further includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled to the input of the one or more upconversion stages.

[0101] Aspect 22: The apparatus according to aspect 19 further includes an ultra-wideband (UWB) pulse shaping circuit coupled to an input of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), wherein the DAC includes an output coupled to the PA, and wherein at least one clock source is coupled to the UWB pulse shaping circuit and the DAC.

[0102] Aspect 23: A method comprising: receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal at a port; routing a first portion of the received RF signal from the port to a low noise amplifier (LNA) via a capacitor and a first winding of a converter; and routing a second portion of the received RF signal from the port via an inductor and a second winding of the converter, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal increases the mutual inductance of the converter.

[0103] Aspect 24: The method according to aspect 23, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal is routed to the ground terminal via the second winding.

[0104] Aspect 25: According to the method of aspect 24, the method further includes coupling the LNA to the ground terminal via the second or third winding of the converter.

[0105] Aspect 26: The method according to any one of aspects 23 to 25, the method further comprising: grounding a first node between the inductor and the second winding of the converter; grounding a second node between the capacitor and the first winding of the converter; and generating a transmit RF signal across the inductor and at the port.

[0106] Aspect 27: The method according to aspect 26, the method further comprising: power amplifying a first RF signal to generate a second RF signal across a primary winding of a balun, wherein the inductor element includes a secondary winding of the balun; and magnetically coupling the second RF signal to the secondary winding to generate the transmitted RF signal.

[0107] Aspect 28: The method according to aspect 27, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal is routed via the secondary winding of the balun and an inductor coupled in parallel with the secondary winding of the balun.

[0108] Aspect 29: A method comprising: when in a transmit mode: generating a transmit radio frequency (RF) signal at a differential output of a power amplifier (PA); routing the transmit RF signal to an RF port via a primary and secondary winding of a balun, wherein the balun improves impedance matching between the differential output of the PA and the RF port; and isolating a low noise amplifier (LNA) from the transmit RF signal via a capacitor coupled between the RF port and ground; and when in a receive mode: removing the ground from the capacitor; routing a first portion of a received RF signal at the RF port to the LNA via the capacitor and a first winding of a converter; and routing a second portion of the received RF signal from the RF port to ground via the secondary winding of the balun and a second winding of the converter, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal increases the mutual inductance of the converter to counteract the negative reactance presented by the capacitor to the first portion of the received RF signal.

[0109] Aspect 30: According to the method of aspect 29, the routing of the second portion of the received RF signal includes routing some of the second portion of the received RF signal via an inductor coupled in parallel with the secondary winding of the balun.

[0110] Aspect 31: According to the method of aspect 30, the method further includes coupling the LNA to the ground terminal via the second or third winding of the converter.

[0111] Aspect 32: An apparatus comprising: means for receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal at a port; means for routing a first portion of the received RF signal from the port to a low noise amplifier (LNA) via a capacitor and a first winding of a converter; and means for routing a second portion of the received RF signal from the port via an inductor and a second winding of the converter, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal increases the mutual inductance of the converter.

[0112] Aspect 33: An apparatus comprising: a transmitting circuit including a transmitter output impedance matching circuit coupled between a power amplifier and a shared transmit-receive port; and a receiving circuit including: a low-noise amplifier (LNA); and a receiver input matching circuit coupled between the shared transmit-receive port and an input of the LNA, the receiver input matching circuit including: a converter including a first winding and a second winding, wherein the second winding is coupled to the transmitter output impedance matching circuit.

[0113] The prior description of this disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to this disclosure will be 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 this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples described herein, but should be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: A transmitter output impedance matching circuit, wherein the transmitter output impedance matching circuit includes an inductor element; A low-noise amplifier (LNA) including a first field-effect transistor (FET). Receiver input impedance matching circuit, the receiver input impedance matching circuit comprising: A converter, the converter including a first winding and a second winding; and A capacitor, wherein the capacitor is coupled in series with the first winding between a first end of the inductor and the gate of the first FET, wherein the second winding is coupled to a second end of the inductor; and A radio frequency (RF) port, which is coupled between the first end of the inductor and the capacitor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first winding and the second winding are configured with opposite polarities.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second winding includes a tap coupled to a ground terminal.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the tap separates the first sub-winding of the second winding from the second sub-winding.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the converter further comprises a third winding coupled between the source of the first FET and a ground terminal, and wherein the second winding is coupled between the second end of the inductor and the ground terminal.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first winding and the third winding are configured with opposite polarities.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switching device coupled between the second end of the inductor and a ground terminal.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the closed or open state of the switching device is respectively responsive to a mode signal indicating a transmit mode or a receive mode.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switching device coupled between a node and a ground terminal, the node being located between the capacitor and the first winding.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the closed or open state of the switching device is respectively responsive to a mode signal indicating a transmit mode or a receive mode.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter output impedance matching circuit includes a balun, the balun including a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein the inductor includes the secondary winding.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the inductor further comprises an inductor coupled in parallel with the secondary winding.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a power amplifier (PA) including differential outputs respectively coupled to ends of the primary winding of the balun.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one antenna coupled to the RF port.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the LNA further includes a second FET coupled between the output of the LNA and the first FET, wherein the second FET includes a gate configured to receive a common-source, common-gate bias voltage.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: One or more downconverter stages, the one or more downconverter stages being coupled to the output of the LNA; and At least one clock source, said at least one clock source being coupled to said one or more downconversion stages.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the output of the one or more downconversion stages, wherein at least one clock source is coupled to the ADC.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a modem coupled to the output of the ADC, wherein the at least one clock source is coupled to the modem.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power amplifier (PA) including an output coupled to the transmitter output impedance matching circuit.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising: One or more upconverter stages, the one or more upconverter stages being coupled to the input of the PA; and At least one clock source, said at least one clock source being coupled to said one or more upconversion stages.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled to the input of the one or more upconversion stages.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising an ultra-wideband (UWB) pulse shaping circuit coupled to an input of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), wherein the DAC includes an output coupled to the PA, and wherein at least one clock source is coupled to the UWB pulse shaping circuit and the DAC.

23. A method, the method comprising: Receives radio frequency (RF) signals at the port; A first portion of the received RF signal is routed from the port to a low-noise amplifier (LNA) via a capacitor and the first winding of the converter; and A second portion of the received RF signal is routed from the port via an inductive element and a second winding of the converter, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal increases the mutual inductance of the converter.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal is routed to the ground terminal via the second winding.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising coupling the LNA to the ground terminal via the second or third winding of the converter.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising: The first node between the inductor and the second winding of the converter is coupled to the ground terminal; The second node between the capacitor and the first winding of the converter is coupled to the ground terminal; as well as A transmitted RF signal is generated across the inductor element and at the port.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising: The first RF signal is amplified to generate a second RF signal across the primary winding of the balun, wherein the inductor element includes the secondary winding of the balun. as well as The second RF signal is magnetically coupled to the secondary winding to generate the transmitted RF signal.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal is routed via the secondary winding of the balun and an inductor coupled in parallel with the secondary winding of the balun.

29. A method comprising: When in send mode: A transmit radio frequency (RF) signal is generated at the differential output of the power amplifier (PA); The transmitted RF signal is routed to the RF port via the primary and secondary windings of a balun, wherein the balun improves the impedance matching between the differential output of the PA and the RF port; as well as The low-noise amplifier (LNA) is isolated from the transmitted RF signal via a capacitor coupled between the RF port and the ground terminal; as well as When in receive mode: Decouple the capacitor from the grounding terminal; The first portion of the received RF signal at the RF port is routed to the LNA via the capacitor and the first winding of the converter; as well as The second portion of the received RF signal is routed from the RF port to the ground terminal via the secondary winding of the balun and the second winding of the converter, wherein the second portion of the received RF signal increases the mutual inductance of the converter to counteract the negative reactance of the first portion of the received RF signal presented by the capacitor.

30. An apparatus comprising: The transmitting circuit includes a transmitter output impedance matching circuit coupled between a power amplifier and a shared transmit-receive port; and The receiving circuit includes: Low-noise amplifier (LNA); A receiver input matching circuit, coupled between the shared transmit-receive port and the input of the LNA, the receiver input matching circuit comprising: A converter, the converter including a first winding and a second winding, wherein the second winding is coupled to the transmitter output impedance matching circuit.

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