RF Module LNA Switching With Shared External Inductor
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing technology of using metal wire inductors in integrated circuits for low-noise amplifiers results in increased circuit size due to the need for larger spaces for inductors, and the inductors coupled to amplifier transistors affect the amplifier characteristics, requiring low-loss inductors to improve performance.
Innovation Solution
A radio-frequency module with an integrated circuit (IC) device and an external inductor, where the IC includes low-noise amplifiers with inductors coupled to amplifier transistors and a switching circuit connecting the transistors to an external inductor, which is coupled between the switching circuit and ground, reducing the size and enhancing the electrical characteristics of the amplifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inductors are formed by using metal wire in integrated circuit, then inductor functionality is achieved, but the size of the integrated circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor is extracted from the integrated circuit and placed as an external component. The IC device includes a switching circuit that connects to the external inductor, separating the inductor function from the integrated circuit structure, thereby reducing the area occupied within the IC while maintaining inductor functionality.
2Reliability
If multiple low-noise amplifiers are integrated together, then amplifier functionality is enhanced, but the size of the integrated circuit further increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external inductor serves multiple low-noise amplifiers simultaneously through the switching circuit. Instead of providing separate inductors for each amplifier, a single external inductor is shared among multiple amplifiers, reducing the total area required while maintaining the functionality of all amplifiers.
3Reliability
If inductor is coupled to source or emitter of amplifier transistor, then amplifier characteristics are affected, but low-loss inductor is required to improve performance
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor is extracted from the integrated circuit and implemented as an external component, allowing the use of high-quality inductor materials and structures that provide lower loss characteristics. This external placement enables better control over inductor quality factor and reduces energy loss while maintaining the necessary coupling to amplifier transistors through the switching circuit.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio-frequency module includes an integrated circuit (IC) device and an external inductor provided outside the IC device. The IC device includes a plurality of low-noise amplifiers, one or more inductors, and a switching circuit. The plurality of low-noise amplifiers includes a plurality of transistors in one to one correspondence. The one or more inductors are coupled to one or more of the plurality of transistors. Each inductor is coupled to the emitter or source of a corresponding one of the plurality of transistors. The switching circuit is coupled between the emitter or source of each of the plurality of transistors and the external inductor. The external inductor is coupled between the switching circuit and ground in series with each of the one or more inductors via the switching circuit.