Digital step attenuator (DSA) and digital phase shifter (DPS) multi-stage circuit architectures that provide for high resolution. Embodiments use a dithering approach to weight bit positions to provide a much finer resolution than the lowest-valued individual stage. Bit position weights for stages are determined so as to enable selection of combinations of n bit positions that provide a desired total attenuation or phase shift range while allowing utilization of the large number of states (2.sup.n) available to produce fractional intermediate steps of attenuation or phase shift. The fractional intermediate steps have a resolution finer than the lowest-valued stage. Bit position weights may be determined using a weighting function, including weightings determined from a linear series, a geometric series, a harmonic series, or alternating variants of such series. In some embodiments, at least one bit position has a fixed value that is not determined by the bit position weighting function.

Digital step attenuator (DSA) and digital phase shifter (DPS) multi-stage circuit architectures that provide for high resolution. Embodiments use a dithering approach to weight bit positions to provide a much finer resolution than the lowest-valued individual stage. Bit position weights for stages are determined so as to enable selection of combinations of n bit positions that provide a desired total attenuation or phase shift range while allowing utilization of the large number of states (2.sup.n) available to produce fractional intermediate steps of attenuation or phase shift. The fractional intermediate steps have a resolution finer than the lowest-valued stage. Bit position weights may be determined using a weighting function, including weightings determined from a linear series, a geometric series, a harmonic series, or alternating variants of such series. In some embodiments, at least one bit position has a fixed value that is not determined by the bit position weighting function.

A phase shifter element includes: a first signal path and a second signal path extending in parallel between an input node of the phase shifter element and an output node of the phase shifter element; at least one first signal path e-fuse in the first signal path; and at least one second signal path e-fuse in the second signal path. The phase shifter element is programmable to select one of the first signal path and the second signal path. The phase shifter element has a first phase shift when the first signal path is selected and a second phase shift, different than the first phase shift, when the second signal path is selected.

Apparatus, system and method for operating a transmission line. The transmission line includes two non-electrically coupled conductive sections. At least one electronic device is coupled to and between the two sections of the transmission line. The at least one electronic device are configured to stably maintain, in the absence of electric current applied to the at least one electronic device, a conductive state, and a non-conductive state, as between the two sections of the transmission line.

First and second paths (I,II) are connected in parallel between an input terminal (IN) and an output terminal (OUT). A high-pass filter (HPF) is provided in the first path (I). A low-pass filter (LPF) is provided in the second path (II). A switch (SW1-SW4) connects one of the high-pass filter (HPF) and the low-pass filter (LPF) to the input terminal (IN) and the output terminal (OUT) and disconnects the other. A transmission line (TL1,TL2) is provided on the first and second paths (I,II) respectively. A line length of the transmission line (TL1,TL2) is adjusted such that a resonance caused due to circuit constants of the high-pass filter (HPF) and the low-pass filter (LPF) and capacitance obtained when the switch (SW1-SW4) is OFF is shifted to a communication frequency band.

First and second paths (I,II) are connected in parallel between an input terminal (IN) and an output terminal (OUT). A high-pass filter (HPF) is provided in the first path (I). A low-pass filter (LPF) is provided in the second path (II). A switch (SW1-SW4) connects one of the high-pass filter (HPF) and the low-pass filter (LPF) to the input terminal (IN) and the output terminal (OUT) and disconnects the other. A transmission line (TL1,TL2) is provided on the first and second paths (I,II) respectively. A line length of the transmission line (TL1,TL2) is adjusted such that a resonance caused due to circuit constants of the high-pass filter (HPF) and the low-pass filter (LPF) and capacitance obtained when the switch (SW1-SW4) is OFF is shifted to a communication frequency band.

Aspects of the present relate to reflection type phase shifters for radio frequency (RF) wireless devices. Reflection type phase structures in accordance with aspects described herein can improve device performance with compact configurations, such as where magnetic and capacitive coupling is integrated into a device design to integrate interactions between elements for improved phase shifting performance in a compact design with wideband performance.

Aspects of the present relate to reflection type phase shifters for radio frequency (RF) wireless devices. Reflection type phase structures in accordance with aspects described herein can improve device performance with compact configurations, such as where magnetic and capacitive coupling is integrated into a device design to integrate interactions between elements for improved phase shifting performance in a compact design with wideband performance.

A radio-frequency chip is provided, and relates to the field of chip technologies, to reduce a component loss caused by redundant components in the radio-frequency chip. The radio-frequency chip includes a phased array, the phased array includes a plurality of branches, and each of the plurality of branches includes a transmitting path, a receiving path, a common path, and a phase shifter. The phase shifter includes a first phase shift unit, a second phase shift unit, and a third phase shift unit. The first phase shift unit is located on the transmitting path, the second phase shift unit is located on the receiving path, and the third phase shift unit is located on the common path.

An embodiment of passive phase shifter comprises a ground shield, a pair of ground walls electrically connected to the ground shield having a first height above the ground shield; and a signal line positioned between the ground walls and electrically isolated from the ground shield. The signal line may comprise an intermediate signal line separated a second height above the ground shield; a top signal line separated from the intermediate signal line at a third height above the ground shield and electrically connected to the intermediate signal line by one or more conductive vias; and a plurality of blocks positioned between and electrically isolated from the intermediate signal line and the top signal line.