A clamping circuit that may be used to provide efficient and effective voltage clamping in an RF front end. The clamping circuit comprises two series coupled signal path switches and a bypass switch coupled in parallel with the series coupled signal path switches. A diode is coupled from a point between the series coupled signal path switches to a reference potential. In addition, an output selection switch within an RF front end has integrated voltage clamping to more effectively clamp the output voltage from the RF front end. Additional output clamping circuits can be used at various places along a direct gain signal path, along an attenuated gain path and along a bypass path.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to devices, wireless communication apparatuses, methods, and circuitry implementing a low noise amplifier (LNA) with phase-shifting circuitry to achieve a continuous phase at the output of the LNA. One aspect is an amplifier including a high gain active path comprising active circuitry, and a low gain path comprising passive circuitry and phase-shifting circuitry. In one or more aspects, the phase-shifting circuitry is configured to shift a phase of an input signal within the low gain path such that the phase of an output signal outputted from the low gain path approximately matches a phase of an output signal outputted from the high gain active path. In at least one aspect, a gain of the high gain active path is higher than a gain of the low gain passive path.

A radio frequency (RF) summer circuit having a characteristic impedance Z.sub.0 comprises first and second ports coupled by first and second resistances, respectively, to a junction. The circuit further comprises a series combination of a third resistance and a switch movable between open and closed positions and an amplifier having input and output terminals and operable in an off state and an on state wherein the series combination is coupled across the input and output terminals of the amplifier between the junction and a third port. The first resistance, second resistance, and the third resistance are all substantially equal to Z.sub.0/3. Further, when the switch is moved to the closed position and the amplifier is switched to the off state a passive mode of operation is implemented and when the switch is moved to the open position and the amplifier is switched to the on state an active mode of operation is implemented. The RF summer circuit develops a summed signal at the third port equal to a sum of signals at the first and second ports modified by one of first and second gain values.

A radio frequency (RF) summer circuit having a characteristic impedance Zo comprises first and second ports coupled by first and second resistances, respectively, to a junction. The circuit further comprises a series combination of a third resistance and a switch movable between open and closed positions and an amplifier having input and output terminals and operable in an off state and an on state wherein the series combination is coupled across the input and output terminals of the amplifier between the junction and a third port. The first resistance, second resistance, and the third resistance are all substantially equal to Z.sub.0/3. Further, when the switch is moved to the closed position and the amplifier is switched to the off state a passive mode of operation is implemented and when the switch is moved to the open position and the amplifier is switched to the on state an active mode of operation is implemented. The RF summer circuit develops a summed signal at the third port equal to a sum of signals at the first and second ports modified by one of first and second gain values.

Circuits and methods for improving the noise figure (NF) of an amplifier, particularly an LNA, in high-gain modes while improving the IIP3 of the amplifier in low-gain modes. The source of an amplifier common-source FET is coupled to circuit ground thorough a degeneration circuit comprising a two-port inductor and a bypass switch coupled in parallel with the inductor. A switched feedback circuit is coupled between the gate of the common-source FET and a feedback node in the amplifier output signal path. During a low gain mode, the inductor is entirely bypassed and the enabled feedback circuit lowers the input impedance of the common-source FET and reduces the gain of the amplifier circuit, essentially eliminating the need for a degeneration inductor. During a high gain mode, the source of the common-source FET is coupled to circuit ground through the inductor and the feedback circuit is disabled. Other gain modes are supported.

Methods and devices to support multiple gain states in amplifiers are described. The methods and devices are based on implementing a feedback element in the amplifier and adjusting the impedance of the feedback element to provide a desired gain while maintaining the overall performance of the amplifier and reducing degradation of the S12 parameter. The feedback element includes an adjustable attenuator and a tunable resistive element. The adjustable attenuator is provided in a path that is common to the feedback path and the bypass path of the amplifier. Exemplary implementations of adjustable attenuators are also presented.

A front-end module (FEM) for a 6.1 GHz Wi-Fi acoustic wave resonator RF filter circuit. The device can include a power amplifier (PA), a 6.1 GHz resonator, and a diversity switch. The device can further include a low noise amplifier (LNA). The PA is electrically coupled to an input node and can be configured to a DC power detector or an RF power detector. The resonator can be configured between the PA and the diversity switch, or between the diversity switch and an antenna. The LNA may be configured to the diversity switch or be electrically isolated from the switch. Another 6.1 GHZ resonator may be configured between the diversity switch and the LNA. In a specific example, this device integrates a 6.1 GHz PA, a 6.1 GHZ bulk acoustic wave (BAW) RF filter, a single pole two throw (SP2T) switch, and a bypassable LNA into a single device.

Methods and systems for a multi gain LNA architecture achieving minimum phase discontinuity between all the different active and passive gain modes that uses different LNA configurations and settings for single and multi-stage LNAs by a configurable combined output matching and phase adjusting circuitry.

A power limiting system and method for a low noise amplifier of a front end interface of a radio frequency communication device. A voltage regulator provides a source voltage to the low noise amplifier having a nominal voltage level that optimizes linearity of the low noise amplifier while a power level of a radio frequency input signal provided to an input of the low noise amplifier does not exceed a predetermined power level threshold. Detection circuitry detects when the power level of a radio frequency input signal exceeds the predetermined power level threshold and provides an adjust signal indicative thereof to the voltage regulator to reduce the source voltage below the nominal voltage level.

A bias circuit for a low noise amplifier of a front end interface of a radio frequency communication device including a bias generator providing a bias voltage on a bias node for the low noise amplifier, a first resistive device coupled between the bias node and an input of the low noise amplifier, a first switch coupled in parallel with the first resistive device, and mode control circuitry receiving a mode signal indicative of a mode change, in which the mode control circuitry, in response to a mode change, momentarily activates the first switch to bypass the first resistive device and momentarily increases current capacity of the bias generator. The mode control circuitry may also momentarily activate a second switch to bypass a second resistive device of the bias circuit. The mode control circuitry may increase a sink current of the bias generator in response to the mode change.