RF Switch Stack Charge Redistribution for Body Leakage Bias Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In RF switch stacks, undesired leakage currents alter the desired DC voltage distribution, leading to reduced power handling capability and increased design costs due to the need for additional circuitry to manage these currents.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a charge redistribution resistive ladder with tapping points and bridge networks that selectively couple or decouple these points with the drain/source and body terminals of FET transistors, redistributing charges to counteract the de-biasing effect and maintain optimal voltage distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a charge redistribution resistive ladder with bridge networks is implemented to counteract de-biasing effects, then power handling capability is enhanced and voltage distribution is optimized, but device complexity increases due to additional circuit components
Solution Approach 1:
The charge redistribution network is segmented into multiple bridge circuits, each connected to specific tapping points on the resistive ladder and specific transistors in the stack. This segmentation allows localized charge redistribution at critical points without requiring a complete redesign of the entire bias network, thereby enhancing power handling capability while controlling overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge networks act as intermediary elements between the charge redistribution resistive ladder and the transistor stack. These bridge circuits selectively couple or decouple tapping points with transistor terminals, enabling controlled charge redistribution to counteract de-biasing effects without directly modifying the transistor structures or the main RF signal path.
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional circuitry is added to manage leakage currents and maintain voltage distribution, then voltage distribution stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge redistribution resistive ladder serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides DC biasing for the transistor stack, redistributes charges to counteract de-biasing effects from leakage currents, and maintains stable voltage distribution across all transistors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, reducing overall component count and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge networks combine the biasing function and charge redistribution function into a single integrated structure. By merging these functions into one circuit architecture rather than using separate independent circuits, the design reduces the total number of components and interconnections, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining voltage distribution stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices to address body leakage current generation and bias voltage distribution associated with body leakage current in an OFF state of a FET switch stack are disclosed. The devices include charge redistribution arrangements and bridge networks to perform coupling/decoupling to/from the FET switch stack. Detailed structures of such bridge networks are also described.