RF Low-Noise Amplifier Switching With Independent Charge Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
The characteristics of amplifier circuits in existing radio-frequency circuits can degrade, affecting the performance of communication devices.
Innovation Solution
A radio-frequency circuit design that includes a first low-noise amplifier circuit, switching circuits, and separate voltage supply circuits for controlling the switching circuits, which enhances the amplifier circuit characteristics by stabilizing the control voltage and reducing variations in on-resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single charge pump supplies control voltage to multiple switching circuits, then device complexity is reduced, but variations in on-resistance increase causing amplifier circuit characteristics to degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The single charge pump is divided into multiple independent charge pumps (first charge pump and second charge pump). Each charge pump independently supplies control voltage to specific switching circuits, segmenting the voltage supply function to reduce variations in on-resistance and prevent amplifier circuit characteristic degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different charge pumps are assigned to supply control voltages to different switching circuits based on their specific requirements. The first charge pump supplies voltage to switching circuits connected to the first amplifier circuit, while the second charge pump supplies voltage to switching circuits connected to the second amplifier circuit, ensuring local optimization of voltage supply quality.
2Device complexity
If switching circuits share a common control voltage source, then circuit design is simplified, but gain uniformity and noise figure performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The common control voltage source is segmented into multiple independent charge pumps, each dedicated to specific switching circuits. This segmentation ensures that variations in one charge pump do not affect others, thereby maintaining gain and noise figure uniformity across different amplifier circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
Control voltages are generated in advance by dedicated charge pumps before being supplied to switching circuits. This preliminary generation of stable control voltages prevents variations from propagating through the circuit, ensuring consistent amplifier performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio-frequency circuit includes a low-noise amplifier circuit, a switching circuit coupled to the input end of the low-noise amplifier circuit, a switching circuit coupled to the output end of the low-noise amplifier circuit or to the input end of the low-noise amplifier circuit via the switch circuit, a charge pump circuit configured to supply a control voltage to the switching circuit, and a charge pump circuit configured to supply a control voltage to the switching circuit.