Shared-Inductor Amplifier Bypass Circuit for Lower Chip Area
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing amplifiers in wireless communication devices consume significant area and cost due to the need for separate inductive elements for active and bypass paths.
Innovation Solution
The amplifier design incorporates an active path with a transistor and an inductive element, and a bypass path that shares the same inductive element, reducing the number of on-chip inductive elements and saving area and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate inductive elements are used for active and bypass paths, then the amplifier can provide both amplification and bypass functions, but the area consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inductive elements of the active path and bypass path into a single shared inductive element. The amplifier circuit uses one inductive element that serves both the active amplification path and the bypass path simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate inductive elements and thereby reducing area consumption while maintaining both amplification and bypass functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared inductive element performs multiple functions: it provides inductance for the active amplification path when the switch is open, and provides inductance for the bypass path when the switch is closed. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require two separate components, reducing overall circuit area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate inductive elements are used for active and bypass paths, then the amplifier can provide both amplification and bypass functions, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of two separate inductive elements into one shared inductive element. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing cost, as fewer inductive elements need to be fabricated, tested, and integrated into the amplifier circuit while the amplifier maintains full functionality for both amplification and bypass operations.
3Area of stationary object
If fewer inductive elements are used, then area consumption and cost are reduced, but the amplifier must share the inductive element between active and bypass paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic switching mechanism that controls the connection configuration of the shared inductive element. A switch dynamically reconfigures the circuit to connect the inductive element to either the active amplification path or the bypass path, allowing the single inductive element to serve both functions at different times without interference, thus managing the increased circuit complexity through dynamic control.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an amplifier. The amplifier generally includes: an active path coupled between an input node of the amplifier and an output node of the amplifier, wherein the active path comprises a first transistor coupled to the input node of the amplifier and a first inductive element coupled between the first transistor and the output node; and a bypass path coupled between the input node of the amplifier and the output node of the amplifier, the bypass path also comprising the first inductive element.