Apple Inc.
RADIO FREQUENCY FRONT-END CIRCUITRY INTERMEDIATE DRIVER SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract:

Systems and methods for improving communication reliability of a radio frequency system that includes an antenna integrated circuit, which includes an antenna amplifier unit that outputs a first analog electrical signal that indicates data, a transceiver integrated circuit implemented using a first semiconductor manufacturing technique, in which the transceiver integrated circuit includes a transceiver amplifier unit that outputs a second analog electrical signal that indicates the data, and a driver integrated circuit implemented using a second semiconductor manufacturing technique. The driver integrated circuit includes an intermediate amplifier, which outputs a third analog electrical signal that indicates the data, and intermediate routing circuitry, which routes the first analog electrical signal to the intermediate amplifier and the third analog electrical signal to the transceiver integrated circuit during reception and routes the second analog electrical signal to the intermediate amplifier and the third analog electrical to the antenna integrated circuit during transmission.