One aspect of this disclosure is a power amplifier module that includes a power amplifier configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal and tantalum nitride terminated through wafer via. The power amplifier includes a heterojunction bipolar transistor and a p-type field effect transistor, in which a semiconductor portion of the p-type field effect transistor corresponds to a channel includes the same type of semiconductor material as a collector layer of the heterojunction bipolar transistor. A metal layer in the tantalum nitride terminated through wafer via is included in an electrical connection between the power amplifier on a front side of a substrate and a conductive layer on a back side of the substrate. Other embodiments of the module are provided along with related methods and components thereof.

This disclosure relates to bipolar transistors, such as heterojunction bipolar transistors, having at a doping spike in the collector. The doping spike can be disposed relatively near an interface between the collector and the base. For instance, the doping spike can be disposed within half of the thickness of the collector from the interface between the collector and the base. Such bipolar transistors can be implemented, for example, in power amplifiers.

One aspect of this disclosure is a power amplifier module that includes a power amplifier die including a power amplifier configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal, the power amplifier including a heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) and a p-type field effect transistor (PFET), the PFET including a semiconductor segment that includes substantially the same material as a layer of a collector of the HBT, the semiconductor segment corresponding to a channel of the PFET; a load line electrically connected to an output of the power amplifier and configured to provide impedance matching at a fundamental frequency of the RF signal; and a harmonic termination circuit electrically connected to the output of the power amplifier and configured to terminate at a phase corresponding to a harmonic frequency of the RF signal. Other embodiments of the module are provided along with related methods and components thereof.

Off-chip distributed drain biasing increases output power and efficiency for high power distributed amplifier MMICs. An off-chip bias circuit has a common input for receiving DC bias current and a plurality of parallel-connected bias chokes among which the DC bias current is divided. The chokes are connected to a like plurality of drain terminals at different FET amplifier stages to supply DC bias current at different locations along the output transmission line. Off-chip distributed drain biasing increases the level of DC bias current that can be made available to the amplifier and add inductances to selected FET amplifier stages, typically the earlier stages, to modify the load impedance seen at the drain terminal to better match the amplifier stages to improve power and efficiency.

Off-chip distributed drain biasing increases output power and efficiency for high power distributed amplifier MMICs. An off-chip bias circuit has a common input for receiving DC bias current and a plurality of parallel-connected bias chokes among which the DC bias current is divided. The chokes are connected to a like plurality of drain terminals at different FET amplifier stages to supply DC bias current at different locations along the output transmission line. Off-chip distributed drain biasing increases the level of DC bias current that can be made available to the amplifier and add inductances to selected FET amplifier stages, typically the earlier stages, to modify the load impedance seen at the drain terminal to better match the amplifier stages to improve power and efficiency.

An amplifier device includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, a first transistor having a first control electrode and first and second current-carrying electrodes, wherein the first control electrode is radio frequency (RF) coupled to the first input terminal and DC-coupled to a first bias network electrically coupled to the first control electrode, wherein the first bias network is configured to apply a first direct current (DC) bias to the first control electrode and is RF-isolated from the first control electrode. The amplifier device further includes a second transistor that includes a second control electrode that is RF coupled to the second input terminal and a second bias network electrically coupled to the second transistor, wherein the second bias network is configured to apply a second DC bias to the second transistor and is RF-isolated from the second transistor.

A transistor device includes a metal submount; a transistor die arranged on said metal submount; a first integrated passive device (IPD) component that includes a first substrate arranged on said metal submount; and a second integrated passive device (IPD) component that includes a second substrate arranged on the metal submount. Additionally, the first substrate is a different material from the second substrate.

One aspect of this disclosure is a power amplifier module that includes a power amplifier; a wire bond pad electrically connected to the power amplifier, the wire bond pad including a nickel layer having a thickness that is less than 0.5 um, a palladium layer over the nickel layer, and a gold layer over the palladium layer; and a conductive trace having a top surface with a plated portion and an unplated portion surrounding the plated portion, the wire bond pad being disposed over the plated portion. Other embodiments of the module are provided along with related methods and components thereof.

An integrated circuit includes a transistor, and an impedance matching circuit coupled with the transistor. The impedance matching circuit includes a signal line to transmit a high-frequency signal and a power supply line that is a short stub branched from the signal line and supplies current to the transistor. The power supply line includes a bent line and a shortcut line to shortcut the bent line.

A high-frequency module according to the present disclosure includes: an MMIC; a multilayer substrate on which the MMIC is mounted; a signal wire that is arranged above the multilayer substrate, is connected to the MMIC and is a transmission path that transmits a high-frequency signal outputted from the MMIC; and a ground wire having at least one end that is connected to a ground electrode on an upper surface of the multilayer substrate and that is arranged so as to straddle the signal wire.