A spring unit includes a mechanical spring means having a spring direction and being located between a first spring support and a second spring support, which first and second spring supports are movable in relation to each other in the spring direction. The spring unit further includes a first actuation member facing the rear side of the first spring support and a second actuation member facing the rear side of the second spring support, which first and second actuating members are movable relative to each other and relative to the first and second spring supports in the spring direction.

This disclosure relates generally to directional couplers. In one embodiment, a directional coupler includes a first port, a second port, a third port, a first inductive element, a second inductive element, a first switchable path, and a second switchable path. The first inductive element is coupled between the first port and the second port, while the second inductive element is mutually coupled to the first inductive element. The first switchable path is configured to be opened and closed, wherein the first switchable path is coupled between a first location of the second inductive element and the third port. The second switchable path is configured to be opened and closed, wherein the second switchable path is coupled between a second location of the second inductive element and the third port. In this manner, a directivity of the directional coupler can be switched between a forward direction and a reverse direction.

A method and apparatus for use in a digitally tuning a capacitor in an integrated circuit device is described. A Digitally Tuned Capacitor DTC is described which facilitates digitally controlling capacitance applied between a first and second terminal. In some embodiments, the first terminal comprises an RF+ terminal and the second terminal comprises an RF− terminal. In accordance with some embodiments, the DTCs comprise a plurality of sub-circuits ordered in significance from least significant bit (LSB) to most significant bit (MSB) sub-circuits, wherein the plurality of significant bit sub-circuits are coupled together in parallel, and wherein each sub-circuit has a first node coupled to the first RF terminal, and a second node coupled to the second RF terminal. The DTCs further include an input means for receiving a digital control word, wherein the digital control word comprises bits that are similarly ordered in significance from an LSB to an MSB.

A method and apparatus for use in a digitally tuning a capacitor in an integrated circuit device is described. A Digitally Tuned Capacitor DTC is described which facilitates digitally controlling capacitance applied between a first and second terminal. In some embodiments, the first terminal comprises an RF+ terminal and the second terminal comprises an RF− terminal. In accordance with some embodiments, the DTCs comprise a plurality of sub-circuits ordered in significance from least significant bit (LSB) to most significant bit (MSB) sub-circuits, wherein the plurality of significant bit sub-circuits are coupled together in parallel, and wherein each sub-circuit has a first node coupled to the first RF terminal, and a second node coupled to the second RF terminal. The DTCs further include an input means for receiving a digital control word, wherein the digital control word comprises bits that are similarly ordered in significance from an LSB to an MSB.

Devices and methods for improving voltage handling and/or bi-directionality of stacks of elements when connected between terminals are described. Such devices and method include use of symmetrical compensation capacitances, symmetrical series capacitors, or symmetrical sizing of the elements of the stack.

Devices and methods for improving voltage handling and/or bi-directionality of stacks of elements when connected between terminals are described. Such devices and method include use of symmetrical compensation capacitances, symmetrical series capacitors, or symmetrical sizing of the elements of the stack.

A balun transformer includes an input terminal into which an unbalanced signal is input, a converter that includes at least a first signal line connected to the input terminal and that converts the unbalanced signal into a balanced signal, a first output terminal connected to the first signal line, a second output terminal from which the balanced signal is output, the balanced signal being also output from the first output terminal, and a capacitor connected between the input terminal and the second output terminal.

A coil form with a low inter-winding capacitance is disclosed including a bobbin formed from an electrically insulating material and including a tube section shaped wall. A coil is mechanically supported by the bobbin and includes a first plurality of conductor windings on the outside of the wall and a second plurality of conductor windings on the inside of the wall. Furthermore, a transformer with such a coil form as any of its primary or secondary windings is disclosed.

A coil form with a low inter-winding capacitance is disclosed including a bobbin formed from an electrically insulating material and including a tube section shaped wall. A coil is mechanically supported by the bobbin and includes a first plurality of conductor windings on the outside of the wall and a second plurality of conductor windings on the inside of the wall. Furthermore, a transformer with such a coil form as any of its primary or secondary windings is disclosed.

A magnetically-coupled structure is integrated with an integrated circuit in back end-of-line (BEOL) digital CMOS fabrication processes. A differential primary (or secondary) coil is formed by patterning a thick copper (Cu) metal layer, and a single-ended secondary (or primary) coil is formed by patterning a thick aluminum (Al) top metal bonding layer. Crossovers and/or cross-unders are formed using thin metal layers. One embodiment provides a stacked balun with a differential primary input winding defined in the copper layer, directly underneath a single-ended spiral winding defined in the aluminum layer. The spiral forms the single-ended secondary output of the balun and is rotated by 90° to prevent metal shorting for its cross-under connections. Another embodiment provides a transformer with one differential primary (or secondary) coil defined in the copper layer and another differential secondary (or primary) coil defined in the aluminum layer and adding a center tap. The position of the tap is selected to compensate for phase differences and provide desired balance.