IP Library Granted Patent US 11,394,451
Granted Patent B2
US 11,394,451 · App. 17/198,927 · Granted Jul 19, 2022

Front end module for 6.1 GHz Wi-Fi acoustic wave resonator RF filter circuit

Inventors: Jeffrey B. Shealy (Davidson, NC); Rohan W. Houlden (Oak Ridge, NC); David M. Aichele (Huntersville, NC)
Assignee: Akoustis, Inc.
H04B7/0814H03F1/26H03F3/195H03F3/72H03H3/02H04B1/006H03F2200/294H03F2200/451H03F2203/7239H03H9/02118H03H9/173H03H9/175H03H2003/023H03H2003/025
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,394,451
App. No.
17/198,927
Granted
Jul 19, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

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.

Claims (47)

1. A 6.1 GHz front end module (FEM) device, the device comprising:

a power amplifier (PA) electrically coupled to an input node;

a 6.1 GHz bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator electrically coupled to the PA, wherein the 6.1 GHz BAW resonator comprises

a substrate;

a support layer overlying the substrate, the support layer having an air cavity;

a first electrode overlying the air cavity and a portion of the support layer;

a first passivation layer overlying the support layer and being physically coupled to the first electrode;

a piezoelectric film overlying the support layer, the first electrode, and the air cavity, the piezoelectric film having an electrode contact via;

a second electrode formed overlying the piezoelectric film;

a first contact metal formed overlying a portion of the second electrode and the piezoelectric film;

a second contact metal formed overlying a portion of the top metal and the piezoelectric film; and

a second passivation layer formed overlying the piezoelectric film, the second electrode, and the top metal;

a top metal formed overlying the piezoelectric film, the top metal being physically coupled to the first electrode through the electrode contact via;

and

a diversity switch electrically coupled the 6.1 GHz BAW resonator, an output node, and an antenna.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the PA comprises a 6.1 GHz power amplifier providing power gain in the frequency spectrum from 5.17 GHz to 7.125 GHz.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the 6.1 GHz BAW resonator comprises a 6.1 GHz bulk acoustic wave (BAW) RF filter exhibiting a mechanical coupling between 10% and 30% and having a passband from 5.17 GHz to 7.125 GHz.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the diversity switch comprises a single pole two throw (SP2T) switch.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a low noise amplifier (LNA) electrically coupled to an LNA input node and an LNA output node.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the LNA comprises a bypassable LNA.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a DC power detector having a voltage output, the DC power detector being electrically coupled to the PA.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising an RF power detector having an RF output from a directional coupler, the RF power detector being electrically coupled to the PA.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the 6.1 GHz BAW resonator further comprises a bonding support layer overlying the substrate, and wherein the support layer is configured overlying the bonding support layer; and wherein the piezoelectric film has a thickness between 0.15 um and 0.55 um.

10. A 6.1 GHz front end module (FEM) device, the device comprising:

a power amplifier (PA) electrically coupled to an input node;

a diversity switch electrically coupled to the PA and an output node; and

a 6.1 GHz BAW resonator electrically coupled to the diversity switch and an antenna;

wherein the 6.1 GHz BAW resonator comprises

a substrate;

a support layer overlying the substrate, the support layer having an air cavity;

a first electrode overlying the air cavity and a portion of the support layer;

a first passivation layer overlying the support layer and being physically coupled to the first electrode;

a piezoelectric film overlying the support layer, the first electrode, and the air cavity, the piezoelectric film having an electrode contact via;

a second electrode formed overlying the piezoelectric film;

a first contact metal formed overlying a portion of the second electrode and the piezoelectric film;

a second contact metal formed overlying a portion of the top metal and the piezoelectric film; and

a second passivation layer formed overlying the piezoelectric film, the second electrode, and the top metal;

and

a top metal formed overlying the piezoelectric film, the top metal being physically coupled to the first electrode through the electrode contact via.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the PA comprises a 6.1 GHz power amplifier providing power gain in the frequency spectrum from 5.17 GHz to 7.125 GHz.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the 6.1 GHz resonator comprises a 6.1 GHz bulk acoustic wave (BAW) RF filter exhibiting a mechanical coupling between 10% and 30% and having a passband from 5.17 GHz to 7.125 GHz.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the diversity switch comprises a single pole two throw (SP2T) switch.

14. The device of claim 10 further comprising a low noise amplifier (LNA) electrically coupled to an LNA input node and an LNA output node.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the LNA comprises a bypassable LNA.

16. The device of claim 10 further comprising a DC power detector having a voltage output, the DC power detector being electrically coupled to the PA.

17. The device of claim 10 further comprising an RF power detector having an RF output from a directional coupler, the RF power detector being electrically coupled to the PA.

18. The device of claim 10 wherein the 6.1 GHz BAW resonator further comprises a bonding support layer overlying the substrate, and wherein the support layer is configured overlying the bonding support layer; and wherein the piezoelectric film has a thickness between 0.15 um and 0.55 um.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 5, 2026
From: TUNE HOLDINGS CORP.
To: AKOUSTIS TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
Reel/Frame 075511/0787 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2026
From: AKOUSTIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AKOUSTIS, INC.; RFM INTEGRATED DEVICE INC.
To: TUNE HOLDINGS CORP.
Reel/Frame 074561/0621 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 12, 2021
From: SHEALY, JEFFREY B.; HOULDEN, ROHAN W; AICHELE, DAVID M
To: AKOUSTIS, INC.
Reel/Frame 055574/0039 →
Continuity (6)
Continuation In Part 15931413 · May 13, 2020
Continuation 16135276 · Sep 19, 2018
Continuation In Part 16019267 · Jun 26, 2018
Continuation In Part 15784919 · Oct 16, 2017
Continuation In Part 15068510 · Mar 11, 2016
Related Publication 20210203402A1 · Jul 1, 2021