Patent · US Active

Voltage equalization for stacked FETs in RF switches

US9484973B1 · kind B1 · utility

19Cited by
9References
24Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 11, 2010
Grant dateNov 1, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 23, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04B1/52
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A switch branch that improves voltage uniformity across a series stack of an n-number of transistors is disclosed. A first one of the n-number of transistors is coupled to an input terminal, and an nth one of the n-number of transistors is coupled to an output terminal, where n is a positive integer greater than one. Predetermined parasitic capacitances associated with each of the n-number of transistors are adjustable with respect to capacitance value by predetermined amounts by dimensioning and arranging at least one metal layer element in proximity to the series stack of the n-number of transistors. Capacitance values for the predetermined parasitic capacitances are selected such that a voltage across the series stack of the n-number of transistors is uniformly distributed. In this way, the n-number of transistors can be reduced without risking a transistor breakdown within the series stack of the n-number of transistors.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.