Patent attributes
The radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) electrostatic discharge (ESD) circuit includes a transformer balun, an impedance matching circuit and a clamping circuit. The balun is operably coupled to transpose a single-ended radio frequency (RF) signal and differential RF signal. The balun includes a 1st winding that is coupled to the single-ended radio frequency signals and a 2nd winding that is coupled for differential RF signals. The impedance matching circuit is coupled to the 1st winding and provides, in conjunction with the impedance of the balun, impedance matching with an antenna coupled to the RFIC. The clamping circuit is operably coupled to the balun and/or to the impedance matching circuit and, in combination with the impedance matching circuit and/or in combination with the balun, provides ESD protection for the receiver section and/or transmitter section of the radio frequency integrated circuit.
