Method and apparatus for integrating power amplifiers with phase locked loop in a single chip transceiver
View Patent ↗A phase locked loop and power amplifier are integrated on single chip. To eliminate cross-talk between the components, a frequency translation block is introduced to change the output frequency of the PLL. To isolate the components from unwanted feedback, a high isolation buffer is introduced between the components. To further isolate the components, the voltage supply domains for each component is physically separated. Each separate voltage supply domain can include a separate high isolation ring, separate voltage regulator, and separate bandgap reference.
1. An integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit comprising:
a. a phase locked loop circuit configured to transmit an output frequency, the phase locked loop circuit having a first voltage source and a first ground connection;
b. a first guard ring set coupled to the first voltage source and the first ground connection, wherein the first guard ring set substantially encompasses the phase locked loop circuit, and the first guard ring set includes a first collector ring and a first ground ring;
c. a mixer coupled to the phase locked loop circuit configured to receive the output frequency and an input signal, modulate the output frequency with the input signal thereby forming a modulated signal, and transmit the modulated signal;
d. a power amplifier coupled to the mixer configured to receive the modulated signal, amplify the modulated signal thereby forming an output signal, and transmit the output signal, the power amplifier having a second voltage source and a second ground connection; and
e. a second guard ring set coupled to the second voltage source and the second ground, wherein the second guard ring set substantially encompasses the power amplifier, and the first guard ring set includes a second collector ring and a second ground ring.
2. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the mixer having a third voltage source and a third ground connection; and a third guard ring set coupled to the third voltage source and the third ground connection.
3. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit in claim 2 further comprising well implants, wherein the third guard ring set comprises any low impedance material that is at least as deep as the well implants.
4. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 2 further comprising:
a. a third capacitor coupled to the third voltage source and the third ground connection.
5. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 4 further comprising:
a. a first bandgap reference coupled to the first voltage regulator; and
b. a second bandgap reference coupled to the second voltage regulator.
6. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a third voltage regulator coupled to the third voltage source and the third ground connection.
7. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a third bandgap reference coupled to the third voltage regulator.
8. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit in claim 1 wherein the first collector ring which comprises a first N buried layer and a first deep N+ region; and the second collector ring comprises a second N buried layer and a second N+ region.
9. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit in claim 1 wherein the first ground ring further comprises a first heavily doped P region; and the second ground ring further comprises a second heavily doped P region.
10. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first collector ring is at least as deep as the first ground ring; and the second collector ring is at least as deep as the second ground ring.
11. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit in claim 1 wherein the first guard ring set further comprises a first deep trench; and the second guard ring set further comprises a second deep trench.
12. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit in claim 11 wherein the first deep trench comprises a first insulating oxide and a first bulk poly; and the second deep trench comprises a second insulating oxide and a second bulk poly.
13. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit in claim 11 wherein the first deep trench is at least as deep as the first collector ring; and the second deep trench is at least as deep as the second collector ring.
14. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit in claim 1 further comprising well implants, wherein the first guard ring set comprises any low impedance material that is at least as deep as the well implants; and the second guard ring set comprises any low impedance material that is at least as deep as the well implants.
15. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
a. a first capacitor coupled to the first voltage source and the first ground connection; and
b. a second capacitor coupled to the second voltage source and the second ground connection.
16. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
a. a first voltage regulator coupled to the first voltage source and the first ground connection; and
b. a second voltage regulator coupled to the second voltage source and the second ground connection.
17. An integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit comprising:
a phase locked loop circuit configured to transmit an output frequency, the phase locked loop circuit having a first voltage source and a first ground connection;
a first guard ring set coupled to the first voltage source and the first ground connection;
a mixer coupled to the phase locked loop circuit configured to receive the output frequency and an input signal, modulate the output frequency with the input signal thereby forming a modulated signal, and transmit the modulated signal;
a power amplifier coupled to the mixer configured to receive the modulated signal, amplify the modulated signal thereby forming an output signal, and transmit the output signal, the power amplifier having a second voltage source and a second ground connection;
a second guard ring set coupled to the second voltage source and the second ground;
wherein the mixer further includes a third voltage source and a third ground connection; a third guard ring set coupled to the third voltage source and the third ground connection; and wherein the third guard ring set comprises a third collector ring.
18. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 17 wherein the third collector ring comprises a third N buried layer and a third deep N+ region.
19. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 17 wherein the third guard ring set further comprises a third ground ring.
20. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 19 wherein the third guard ring set further comprises a third deep trench.
21. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 20 wherein the third deep trench comprises a third insulating oxide and a third bulk poly.
22. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 20 wherein the third deep trench is at least as deep as the third collector ring.
23. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 19 wherein the third ground ring comprises a third heavily doped P region.
24. The integrated phase locked loop and power amplifier circuit as claimed in claim 19 wherein the third collector ring is at least as deep as the third ground ring.