Resistor-Sharing RF Switch Circuit for Smaller Chip Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RF switching circuits face challenges in miniaturization due to the large area occupied by resistors connected to control terminals of transistors, limiting further reduction in chip size without decreasing the number of transistors or resistors.
Innovation Solution
A resistor-sharing switching circuit design that uses a signal transmission unit connected to both control terminals of switching elements, allowing a single resistor to control multiple switching elements, thereby reducing the number of resistors needed and sharing them across different input and output terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple transistors are connected in series between the transmitting terminal/receiving terminal and the antenna, then the switching element can handle large power signals, but the number of resistors connected to control terminals increases, occupying more chip area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent connects multiple control terminals of switching elements to a common signal transmission unit, allowing a single resistor to serve multiple control terminals simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the total number of resistors from N (one per control terminal) to 1 (shared among all control terminals), directly addressing the chip area occupation problem while maintaining the series connection of transistors for power handling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The resistor is designed to serve multiple functions by being connected to multiple control terminals through the signal transmission unit. A single resistor component performs the control function for multiple switching elements, making it a universal component that replaces multiple individual resistors, thereby reducing overall component count and chip area
2Power
If the number of transistors and resistors is increased to handle large power signals, then the switching circuit can process high power RF signals, but the chip size cannot be miniaturized further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by combining multiple control terminals into a single signal transmission path that shares one resistor. This reduces the component count and associated area occupation while preserving the series transistor configuration needed for high power RF signal processing, enabling chip miniaturization without sacrificing power handling capability
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a resistor-sharing switching circuit, including: a first switching element turning on/off between a first input and output terminal and a second input and output terminal; a second switching element turning on/off between the first input and output terminal and a third input and output terminal; a signal transmission unit connected to both a control terminal of the first switching element and a control terminal of the second switching element; and a resistor having one end connected to the signal transmission unit and the other end connected to a control signal input terminal.