A serial controller for use in controlling various radio frequency (RF)
modules within an RF integrated circuit is disclosed. The serial
controller is coupled to an serial bus that internal to the RFIC that
transmits commands and data from a microcontroller to a data receiver
module within the serial controller. The serial commands and data are
transmitted across the serial bus in a data packet format having an
address-overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the data receiver
module removes the address-overhead bits from the packet and provides the
data portion of the packet as output data. A decoder/coder logic module
coupled to the data receiver receives the serial data and is operative to
process the serial data and in response thereto activate one or more
control signals. An RF module includes at least one circuit and one or
more switching elements that are coupled to the one or more control
signals. The switching elements are responsive to the corresponding
control signals by switching one or more switchable component into the
circuit or isolating the switchable component from the circuit to adjust
or change one or more parameter of the circuit so as to vary the output
of the RF module in a controlled manner.