Carrier Aggregation Amplifier Circuitry for Stable Gain Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Designing satisfactory low noise amplifier circuitry for electronic devices with wireless communications capabilities is challenging, particularly in supporting both non-carrier-aggregation and carrier-aggregation modes without mismatching gain and input impedance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of amplifier circuitry with a common gate amplifier stage, cascode amplifier stage, and common source amplifier stage, along with adjustable capacitors, allows for operation in both non-carrier-aggregation and carrier-aggregation modes by adjusting the common source bias voltage and input impedance, ensuring consistent gain and input matching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If amplifier circuitry is designed for non-carrier-aggregation mode, then gain and input impedance are optimized for single carrier, but performance degrades when operating in carrier-aggregation mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamplifier performance consistencyVSAvoidmulti-mode operation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The amplifier circuitry employs dynamic switching mechanisms that allow transition between non-carrier-aggregation and carrier-aggregation modes. Switches selectively connect or disconnect the common source amplifier stage and adjust bias voltages based on the operating mode, enabling the amplifier to adapt its characteristics dynamically rather than being fixed for a single mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes key operating parameters including the common source bias voltage and input impedance values depending on the mode of operation. In non-carrier-aggregation mode, the common source amplifier stage is deactivated and input impedance is optimized for single carrier. In carrier-aggregation mode, the common source amplifier stage is activated and input impedance is adjusted to maintain consistent performance across multiple carriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If amplifier circuitry uses fixed gain configuration, then performance is stable in one mode, but gain mismatch occurs when switching between modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegain stabilityVSAvoidmode switching capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The amplifier implements dynamic gain control through the common source amplifier stage that can be selectively activated or deactivated. This dynamic configuration allows the gain to be adjusted based on the operating mode, maintaining stability within each mode while enabling adaptation when switching between modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The common source amplifier stage acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the fixed gain configuration and the required gain adjustment for different modes. By controlling this intermediate stage, the amplifier can transition smoothly between gain configurations without direct mismatch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If amplifier circuitry is simplified for single carrier operation, then device complexity is reduced, but carrier-aggregation support requires additional circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamplifier circuit structureVSAvoidcarrier aggregation support

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The amplifier circuitry is designed with universal components that serve multiple functions. The common source amplifier stage and associated switching circuitry can operate in both non-carrier-aggregation and carrier-aggregation modes, providing multi-functionality without requiring entirely separate circuit implementations for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than implementing completely separate fixed circuits for each mode, the invention uses dynamic switching to enable a single circuit structure to adapt to different operating requirements. This reduces overall device complexity compared to having dedicated circuits for each mode while maintaining full carrier aggregation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11595075B2Amplifier circuitry for carrier aggregation

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device may include wireless circuitry with a baseband processor, a transceiver circuit, a front-end module, and an antenna. The front-end module may include amplifier circuitry such as a low noise amplifier for amplifying received radio-frequency signals. The amplifier circuitry is operable in a non-carrier-aggregation mode and a carrier aggregation mode. The amplifier circuitry may include an input transformer that is coupled to multiple amplifier stages such as a common gate amplifier stage, a cascode amplifier stage, and a common source amplifier stage. The common gate amplifier stage may include switches for selectively activating a set of cross-coupled capacitors to help maintain input impedance matching in the non-carrier-aggregation mode and the carrier-aggregation mode. The common source amplifier stage may include additional switches for activating and deactivating the common source amplifier stage to help maintain the gain in the non-carrier-aggregation mode and the carrier-aggregation mode.