CPC H03F 1/223 (2013.01) [H03F 3/193 (2013.01); H03F 3/21 (2013.01); H03F 2200/294 (2013.01); H03F 2203/7236 (2013.01)] | 23 Claims |
1. A method for turning OFF a branch of a multi-branch cascode amplifier, the method comprising:
i) turning ON a plurality of branches of the multi-branch cascode amplifier by:
providing to each branch of the plurality of branches respective gate biasing voltages to transistors of the branch for operation of the branch as an amplifier during a respective ON state of the branch, the transistors of the branch comprising a common-source input transistor and one or more common-gate cascode transistors; and
based on the providing, outputting an amplified signal at a common output node of the multi-branch cascode amplifier; and
ii) turning OFF at least one branch of the plurality of branches by:
decoupling the at least one branch from the common output node via a first switching arrangement, thereby obtaining a decoupled branch, and
coupling a reference voltage to a drain node of an output transistor of the decoupled branch via a second switching arrangement, thereby maintaining operation of the transistors of the decoupled branch within their respective maximum tolerable voltages.
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