Patent ID: 8494476
Filing Date: 2013-07-23
Classification: H03F

Abstract:
1. A low noise amplifier (LNA) comprising: a plurality of FETs arranged to process signals received by the amplifier; a power input arranged to receive electrical power to operate the LNA; and a monolithic support integrated circuit (IC), wherein the monolithic support IC comprises; a FET control circuit arranged to monitor and control the drain current of each FET; a FET selection circuit arranged to detect the level of a DC component of a voltage signal supplied to the power input and to provide a FET selection signal to the FET control circuit according to the detected DC level, the FET control circuit being responsive to the FET selection signal to disable a selected one of two of the plurality of FETs; a voltage regulator circuit connected to the power input and adapted to generate a regulated output voltage from a voltage signal to the power input; and a negative supply generator circuit connected to receive the regulated output voltage and arranged to generate a negative supply voltage from the regulated output voltage and to provide the negative supply voltage to the FET control circuit, the FET control circuit being arranged to use the negative supply voltage to provide negative gate drive voltages to the FETs.