Varactor bank switching based on negative control voltage generation
US7479839B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K2017/066
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for varactor bank switching for a voltage controlled oscillator is disclosed. Varactor bank switching involves generating a negative bias voltage signal as a control signal for a varactor bank switch in an off-state, the varactor bank switch comprising a pass-gate circuit including switching transistors. Generating the negative bias voltage signal includes employing an active rectifier circuit running at the speed of an oscillation signal, the negative bias voltage signal maintaining the gate-source voltage of the pass-gate circuit below a threshold voltage to prevent said switching transistors from becoming conductive in an off-state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.