An apparatus includes an amplifier and a gain control circuit. The amplifier may be configured to provide multiple gain steps. The gain control circuit may be configured to provide fast and precise changes between the multiple gain steps of the amplifier. The gain control circuit may be further configured to change an impedance of the amplifier to switch between the gain steps. The gain control circuit may be further configured to compensate for changes in frequency response related to changing the impedance. The gain control circuit may be further configured to inject a complementary charge to an input of the amplifier to correct a bias voltage deviation and a transient caused by the gain control circuit.

Apparatus and methods for bias switching of power amplifiers are provided herein. In certain configurations, a power amplifier system includes a power amplifier that provides amplification to a radio frequency (RF) signal, a power management circuit that controls a voltage level of a supply voltage of the power amplifier, and a bias control circuit that biases the power amplifier. The power management circuit is operable in multiple supply control modes, such as an average power tracking (APT) mode and an envelope tracking (ET) mode. The bias control circuit is configured to switch a bias of the power amplifier based on the supply control mode of the power management circuit.

Apparatus and methods for bias switching of power amplifiers are provided herein. In certain configurations, a power amplifier system includes a power amplifier that provides amplification to a radio frequency (RF) signal, a power management circuit that controls a voltage level of a supply voltage of the power amplifier, and a bias control circuit that biases the power amplifier. The power management circuit is operable in multiple supply control modes, such as an average power tracking (APT) mode and an envelope tracking (ET) mode. The bias control circuit is configured to switch a bias of the power amplifier based on the supply control mode of the power management circuit.

Circuits, methods and devices are disclosed, related to fast turn-on of radio-frequency amplifiers. In some embodiments, an RF amplifier circuit includes an amplification path implemented to amplify an RF signal, where the amplification path includes a switch and an amplifier. In some embodiments, each of the switch and the amplifier are configured to be ON or OFF to thereby enable or disable the amplification path, respectively. In some embodiments, the RF amplifier circuit includes a compensation circuit coupled to the amplifier, where the compensation circuit is configured to compensate for a slow transition of the amplifier between its ON and OFF states resulting from a signal applied to the switch.

Circuits, methods and devices are disclosed, related to fast turn-on of radio-frequency amplifiers. In some embodiments, an RF amplifier circuit includes an amplification path implemented to amplify an RF signal, where the amplification path includes a switch and an amplifier. In some embodiments, each of the switch and the amplifier are configured to be ON or OFF to thereby enable or disable the amplification path, respectively. In some embodiments, the RF amplifier circuit includes a compensation circuit coupled to the amplifier, where the compensation circuit is configured to compensate for a slow transition of the amplifier between its ON and OFF states resulting from a signal applied to the switch.

A power amplification device capable of detaching an element relating to the power amplification of an RF signal from an element relating to the combining of RF signals. The amplifying unit is provided with a plurality of groups of amplifier circuits that amplifies the power of a RF signal and the plurality of groups of amplifier circuits each includes a predetermined number of the amplifier circuits. A combining unit includes a first combiner and a second combiner. The first combiner is provided in association with the group of the amplifier circuits, combines RF signals output from the amplifier circuits belonging to the corresponding group, and outputs the RF signal after combining. The second combiner combines the RF signals output from each first combiner and outputs the RF signal after combining. The amplifying unit is attachable to and detachable from the combining unit.

A power amplification device capable of detaching an element relating to the power amplification of an RF signal from an element relating to the combining of RF signals. The amplifying unit is provided with a plurality of groups of amplifier circuits that amplifies the power of a RF signal and the plurality of groups of amplifier circuits each includes a predetermined number of the amplifier circuits. A combining unit includes a first combiner and a second combiner. The first combiner is provided in association with the group of the amplifier circuits, combines RF signals output from the amplifier circuits belonging to the corresponding group, and outputs the RF signal after combining. The second combiner combines the RF signals output from each first combiner and outputs the RF signal after combining. The amplifying unit is attachable to and detachable from the combining unit.

An amplification device includes an amplification circuit and a protection circuit. The amplification circuit includes a transistor having a first terminal for outputting an amplified radio frequency signal, a second terminal, and a control terminal coupled to the input terminal of the amplification circuit for receiving a radio frequency signal to be amplified. The protection circuit has a first terminal coupled to the output terminal or the input terminal of the amplification circuit, and a second terminal. The protection circuit includes a switch and a first voltage clamping unit. The switch unit is turned on or turned off according to a control signal. The first voltage clamping unit is coupled to the switch unit for clamping a voltage at the first terminal of the protection circuit within a predetermined region when the switch unit is turned on.

A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) for amplifying an RF signal between a source node and an output node, the RF PA including a silicon substrate with a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) N-type transistor with a source region and a drain region fabricated therein. The source region includes the source node of the RF PA and the drain region includes the output node of the RF PA. The RF PA includes a planar resistor fabricated on the surface of the silicon substrate proximal to the drain region of the N-type transistor, wherein the resistor provides a thermal source for heating the RF PA; and a control circuit providing thermal heating to the RF PA by providing power to the planar resistor during RF signal bursts wherein the added thermal heating compensates transient heating within the transistor and results in a linear power amplification operation.

A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) for amplifying an RF signal between a source node and an output node, the RF PA including a silicon substrate with a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) N-type transistor with a source region and a drain region fabricated therein. The source region includes the source node of the RF PA and the drain region includes the output node of the RF PA. The RF PA includes a planar resistor fabricated on the surface of the silicon substrate proximal to the drain region of the N-type transistor, wherein the resistor provides a thermal source for heating the RF PA; and a control circuit providing thermal heating to the RF PA by providing power to the planar resistor during RF signal bursts wherein the added thermal heating compensates transient heating within the transistor and results in a linear power amplification operation.