Designs and methodologies related to attenuators having a thin-film resistor assembly are disclosed. In some embodiments, the thin-film assembly can include a first and second thin-film resistor, each having a main portion with an input end and an output end. The input end of the first thin-film resistor is interconnected to the input end of the second thin-film resistors, and the output end of the first thin-film resistor is interconnected to the output end of the second thin-film resistor. The first and second thin-film resistors are disposed relative to one another so as to define a separation. The separation region reduces the likelihood of hot spot regions forming at or near the center of the thin-film structure and improves power handling capability for a given resistor width. Also disclosed are examples of how the foregoing features can be implemented in different products and methods of fabrication.

An attenuator comprising a first thermal reservoir and a first metal layer located on top of the first thermal reservoir. A first dielectric layer located on top of the first metal layer and a resistor located on top the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer located on top of the resistor and a second metal layer located on top of the second dielectric layer. A second thermal reservoir located on top the third metal layer and wherein the resistor is split or perforated by a thermal shunt, wherein the thermal shunt includes a thermal column that directs the heat generated by the resistor vertically upwards or downwards into the first and second thermal reservoirs, respectively.

A directional power detector device includes a directional coupling network including a first transmission path connected between a radio frequency (RF) input and an RF output, the first transmission path having a voltage transmission gain A, phase θ and characteristic impedance Zo, a second transmission path having the same voltage transmission gain A, phase θ and characteristic impedance Zo, and a resistor connected between the first transmission path at the RF output and the second transmission path, where the resistor has a value including the characteristic impedance Zo. The directional power detector device further includes a detector diode including an anode connected to the second transmission path and a cathode, a capacitor connected between the cathode of the detector diode and the RF input port, and a detector output connected to the cathode of the detector diode. The detector outputs a DC detector voltage when a forward RF signal is applied to the RF input, and outputs zero DC detector voltage when reverse RF signal is applied to the RF output.

A directional power detector device includes a directional coupling network including a first transmission path connected between a radio frequency (RF) input and an RF output, the first transmission path having a voltage transmission gain A, phase θ and characteristic impedance Zo, a second transmission path having the same voltage transmission gain A, phase θ and characteristic impedance Zo, and a resistor connected between the first transmission path at the RF output and the second transmission path, where the resistor has a value including the characteristic impedance Zo. The directional power detector device further includes a detector diode including an anode connected to the second transmission path and a cathode, a capacitor connected between the cathode of the detector diode and the RF input port, and a detector output connected to the cathode of the detector diode. The detector outputs a DC detector voltage when a forward RF signal is applied to the RF input, and outputs zero DC detector voltage when reverse RF signal is applied to the RF output.

A programmable (multistep) resistor attenuator architecture (such as for input to a differential amplifier) provides cancellation for harmonic distortion currents. An attenuation node is coupled: (a) to an input node through R; (b) to a virtual ground through kR and a virtual ground switch Swf with on-resistance Rswf; and (c) to a differential ground through mR and a differential ground switch Swp with on-resistance Rswp. Swp can be sized relative to Swf such that a component Ipnf of Ipn through Rswp and mR to the attenuation node, and branching into kR and Rswf, matches (phase/magnitude), a harmonic current Ifn from the virtual ground through Rswf and kR to the attenuation node. Harmonic distortion cancelation at the virtual ground can be based on matching switches Swf and Swp and the resistors R, mR, kR, reducing sensitivity to PVT variations, input frequency and amplitude. The attenuator architecture is extendable to multistage configurations.

A programmable (multistep) resistor attenuator architecture (such as for input to a differential amplifier) provides cancellation for harmonic distortion currents. An attenuation node is coupled: (a) to an input node through R; (b) to a virtual ground through kR and a virtual ground switch Swf with on-resistance Rswf; and (c) to a differential ground through mR and a differential ground switch Swp with on-resistance Rswp. Swp can be sized relative to Swf such that a component Ipnf of Ipn through Rswp and mR to the attenuation node, and branching into kR and Rswf, matches (phase/magnitude), a harmonic current Ifn from the virtual ground through Rswf and kR to the attenuation node. Harmonic distortion cancelation at the virtual ground can be based on matching switches Swf and Swp and the resistors R, mR, kR, reducing sensitivity to PVT variations, input frequency and amplitude. The attenuator architecture is extendable to multistage configurations.

An apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) input port, an RF output port, a variable attenuation network, a first filter network, a second filter network, and a third filter network. The variable attenuation network may be coupled between the RF input port and the RF output port. Attenuation of the variable attenuation network is controlled by a first control signal and a second control signal. The first filter network may be connected between the RF input port and the RF output port. The second filter network may be connected between the variable attenuation network and a ground potential. The third filter network may be connected between the variable attenuation network and the ground potential. The first, the second, and the third filter networks modify performance of the variable attenuation network to produce a particular tilt of a radio frequency signal passing through the apparatus between the RF input port and the RF output port. The particular tilt is selectable by adjustment of at least one of the first and the second control signals.

An attenuation circuit with a low insertion loss is provided. The attenuation circuit includes an input to receive an input signal, an output to provide an attenuated signal, an attenuator coupled between the input and the output, the attenuator being configured to attenuate the input signal, an isolation switch constructed to isolate the attenuator from the input or the output when in a bypass mode, and a bypass switch coupled in parallel with the attenuator to couple the input to the output when in the bypass mode.

A compensation circuit in a MIMO system includes a phase shifting circuit and an attenuation circuit. The phase shifting circuit includes a plurality of phase shifters coupled in parallel which apply compensation to signals. The attenuation circuit includes a plurality of attenuators coupled in parallel to apply compensation to signals.

A time and frequency domain signal conditioning device including one or more signal terminals, one or more rails, and a passive signal conditioning means for reducing a switching noise jitter signature present in an output signal of a feedback control loop circuitry with a plurality of noise carrying jittering ramps is disclosed. The passive signal conditioning means including the rails is characterized by a set of specified characteristics to condition pre-existing noise amplitude and slopes of the output signal such that the conditioned output signal cooperates with the feedback control loop circuitry. As a consequence the switching noise jitter signature which is produced by transient noise displacement or noise perturbation in the time domain when the output signal jitters can be reduced in the output of the feedback control loop circuitry.