Selectively shielded radio frequency module with linearized low noise amplifier
Front end systems and related devices, integrated circuits, modules, and methods are disclosed. One such packaged module includes a low noise amplifier in an interior of a radio frequency shielding structure and an antenna external to the radio frequency shielding structure. The low noise amplifier includes a first inductor, an amplification circuit, and a second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor to provide negative feedback to linearize the low noise amplifier. The radio frequency shielding structure can extend above a package substrate. The antenna can be on the package substrate. Other embodiments of front end systems are disclosed, along with related devices, integrated circuits, modules, methods, and components thereof.
1. A packaged module comprising:
a package substrate;
a radio frequency shielding structure extending above the package substrate;
a front end integrated circuit positioned in an interior of the radio frequency shielding structure, the front end integrated circuit including a low noise amplifier, a bias circuit, and a multi-throw switch, the low noise amplifier including (i) an input matching circuit that includes a first inductor and a series inductor, the series inductor being in series with the first inductor, (ii) an amplification circuit configured to receive a radio frequency signal by way of the first inductor, and (iii) a second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor to provide negative feedback to linearize the low noise amplifier, and the bias circuit configured to apply a bias signal at a node between the first inductor and the series inductor; and
an antenna on the package substrate external to the radio frequency shielding structure, the multi-throw switch configured to electrically connect the antenna to the series inductor.
2. The packaged module of claim 1 wherein the low noise amplifier is configured to receive the radio frequency signal from the antenna.
3. The packaged module of claim 1 wherein the antenna is a multi-layer antenna.
4. The packaged module of claim 1 wherein a first portion of the antenna is on a first side of the package substrate and a second portion of the antenna is on a second side of the package substrate, the second side opposing the first side.
5. The packaged module of claim 1 wherein the second inductor is a degeneration inductor electrically connected to the amplification circuit.
6. The packaged module of claim 1 wherein the amplification circuit includes a first transistor and a cascode transistor in series with the first transistor, and the second inductor is a degeneration inductor electrically connected to the first transistor.
7. The packaged module of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency shielding structure includes a plurality of wire bonds disposed between the antenna and the low noise amplifier.
8. The packaged module of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency shielding structure includes wire bond walls disposed around at least two sides of the low noise amplifier.
9. The packaged module of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency shielding structure includes a shielding layer substantially parallel to the package substrate, and the front end integrated circuit is disposed between the shielding layer and the package substrate.
10. The packaged module of claim 1 wherein the low noise amplifier is embodied on a semiconductor-on-insulator die.
11. A wireless communication device comprising:
a packaged module including a radio frequency shielding structure; a front end integrated circuit positioned in an interior of the radio frequency shielding structure, the front end integrated circuit including a low noise amplifier, a bias circuit, and a multi-throw switch, the low noise amplifier including (i) an input matching circuit that includes a first inductor and a series inductor, the series inductor being in series with the first inductor, (ii) an amplification circuit configured to receive a radio frequency signal by way of the first inductor, and (iii) a second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor to provide negative feedback to linearize the low noise amplifier, and the bias circuit configured to apply a bias signal at a node between the first inductor and the series inductor; and an antenna external to the radio frequency shielding structure, the multi-throw switch configured to electrically connect the antenna to the series inductor; and
a transceiver in communication with the front end integrated circuit.
12. The wireless communication device of claim 11 wherein the wireless communication device is an Internet of things device.
13. The wireless communication device of claim 11 wherein the front end integrated circuit further includes a power amplifier circuit configured to output a wireless local area network signal for transmission by way of the antenna.
14. The wireless communication device of claim 11 wherein the front end integrated circuit further includes a power amplifier circuit configured to output a wireless personal area network signal for transmission by way of the antenna.
15. The wireless communication device of claim 11 wherein the front end integrated circuit further includes a power amplifier circuit, and the multi-throw switch is configured to electrically connect the low noise amplifier to the antenna in a first state and to electrically connect the power amplifier circuit to the antenna in a second state.
16. A method of radio frequency signal amplification with a low noise amplifier, the method comprising:
receiving a radio frequency signal with an antenna of a packaged module, the antenna being positioned external to a radio frequency shielding structure of the packaged module;
electrically connecting the antenna to a series inductor using a multi-throw switch;
providing the radio frequency signal to an amplification circuit of the low noise amplifier by way of a first inductor, the first inductor being in series with the series inductor, the series inductor having a first end configured to receive the radio frequency signal and a second end electrically coupled to the first inductor, the low noise amplifier being positioned in an interior of the radio frequency shielding structure of the packaged module;
applying, with a bias circuit, a bias signal to a node between the first inductor and the series inductor;
amplifying the radio frequency signal with the amplification circuit of the low noise amplifier; and
providing negative feedback to linearize the amplification circuit with a second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor.
17. The packaged module of claim 1 wherein the first inductor and the series inductor are non-concentric in physical layout.
18. The packaged module of claim 1 wherein the front end integrated circuit further includes a power amplifier circuit, and the multi-throw switch is configured to electrically connect the low noise amplifier to the antenna in a first state and to electrically connect the power amplifier circuit to the antenna in a second state.
19. The wireless communication device of claim 11 wherein the antenna is a multi-layer antenna.
20. The wireless communication device of claim 11 wherein a first portion of the antenna is on a first side of a package substrate and a second portion of the antenna is on a second side of the package substrate, the second side opposing the first side.