US 12,003,268 B2
Apparatus and methods for power amplifier signal limiting
Philip John Lehtola, Cedar Rapids, IA (US)
Assigned to Skyworks Solutions, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by Skyworks Solutions, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on May 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/663,067.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/202,141, filed on May 28, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0385328 A1, Dec. 1, 2022
Int. Cl. H04B 1/40 (2015.01); H03F 1/52 (2006.01); H03F 3/24 (2006.01)
CPC H04B 1/40 (2013.01) [H03F 1/52 (2013.01); H03F 3/245 (2013.01); H03F 2200/171 (2013.01); H03F 2200/426 (2013.01); H03F 2200/451 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mobile device comprising:
a transceiver configured to generate a radio frequency input signal; and
a front-end system including a power amplifier configured to amplify the radio frequency input signal, and a signal limiter operable to limit a signal power of the power amplifier when the radio frequency input signal exceeds a threshold, the signal limiter including a radio frequency detector configured to generate a detection signal based on detecting a power level of the radio frequency input signal, and a latch configured to lock the signal limiter into an attenuating mode in response to the detection signal indicating that the threshold is exceeded, the signal limiter including an input connected to an input of the power amplifier and an output connected to an output of the power amplifier, the signal limiter further including an attenuator including a plurality of diodes connected in series between the output of the power amplifier and ground, the plurality of diodes including one or more selectable diodes that are bypassed in the attenuation mode.