Rf Micro Devices, Inc.

Triquint Semiconductor Corporation

Darrell G Epperson

Ulrik Riis Madsen

Ryan Bosley

Scott Yoder

Joel Robert Gibson

Michael S LaBelle

Carlos Gamero

Steven Alexander Brown

Doug MacArthur

Gary Lewis

Leendert Quist

James P Conlon

Embodiments of circuits, devices, and methods for a power detection arrangement are disclosed. The power detection arrangement may have a coupler coupled with, and in between, a switch and an output to couple a signal to a detector. The power detection arrangement may include a harmonic suppressor coupled with, and in between, the coupler and the detector to reduce an amount of harmonic signals transmitted back to the coupler. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Power detection arrangement with harmonic suppressor

A system and method for limiting current in an output stage of power amplifier circuitry in a transmitter of a mobile terminal are provided. In general, the current in the output stage of the power amplifier circuitry is detected during each transmit burst from the power amplifier circuitry. For each transmit burst, an error correction value for a corresponding power level is determined based on the detected current and a predetermined threshold value. The error correction value is used to correct an adjustable power control signal that controls the power level of the power amplifier circuit for a subsequent transmit burst at the same power level.

System for limiting current in an output stage of a power amplifier

A system for detecting current in an output stage of power amplifier circuitry in a transmitter of a mobile terminal is provided. In general, the mobile terminal includes power amplifier circuitry, power control circuitry, current detection circuitry, and an inductor that essentially prevents radio frequency coupling between the power control circuitry and the power amplifier circuitry. Based on a voltage across the inductor, the current detection circuitry generates a voltage detection signal indicative of a current in the inductor and thus the current in an output stage of the power amplifier.

System for detecting current in an output stage of a power amplifier

A power amplifier configuration including power amplifier circuitry and power control circuitry and having improved Power Added Efficiency (PAE) is provided. The power amplifier circuitry includes one or more input amplifier stages in series with a final amplifier stage. The power control circuitry provides a variable supply voltage to the input amplifier stages based on an adjustable power control signal. The final amplifier stage is powered by a fixed supply voltage. In operation, as output power of the power amplifier is reduced from its highest power level, the variable supply voltage is reduced. Accordingly, RF power of an amplified signal provided to the final amplifier stage from the input amplifier stages decreases, and the final amplifier stage transitions from saturation to linear operation, thereby increasing the gain of the final amplifier stage. Thus, a desired output level can be maintained while operating at lower current levels.

Power amplifier control technique for enhanced efficiency

A system and method for detecting compression of power amplifier circuitry in a wireless terminal and, in response, reducing the output power of the power amplifier circuitry such that linear operation is achieved. In general, the output power of the power amplifier is detected to provide a detect signal. The detect signal is sampled at two predetermined points in time. A ratio of the samples of the detect signal is compared to an expected ratio. Based on the comparison, a decision is made as to whether the power amplifier circuitry is in compression. If so, an adjustable power control signal controlling the output power of the power amplifier circuitry is reduced by one power step, such that the output power of the power amplifier circuitry is reduced by one output power level. The process is repeated until the power amplifier circuitry returns to linear operation.

System and method for detecting compression of a power amplifier circuit

A system is provided for substantially reducing variation in AM to PM distortion of a power amplifier caused by variations in RF drive power and temperature. The system includes power control circuitry and power amplifier circuitry. The power amplifier circuitry includes an input amplifier stage and at least one additional amplifier stage coupled in series with the input amplifier stage. The power control circuitry provides a first supply voltage to the input amplifier stage based on a control signal such that the first supply voltage has a predetermined DC offset with respect to the control signal. The first supply voltage is provided such that the predetermined DC offset substantially reduces variations in the AM to PM distortion of the power amplifier due to variations in radio frequency (RF) drive power.

Tailored collector voltage to minimize variation in AM to PM distortion in a power amplifier

The present invention provides power amplification circuitry having multiple amplifier stages in series and adapted to facilitate polar modulation. As such, the amplifier circuitry receives a frequency signal representing the frequency and phase components of the signal to be transmitted, as well as an amplitude signal presenting the amplitude component of the signal to be transmitted. The frequency component is amplified by the amplification circuitry. The amplitude component controls the supply voltage provided to the amplifier stages in the amplification circuitry. To increase the dynamic range of the amplification circuitry, the final stage or stages of the amplification circuitry are selectively disabled when lower output powers are necessary, and enabled when higher output powers are required. When disabled, the output stage is biased in a manner such that it effectively functions as a series capacitor, coupling the amplified signal from the prior amplifier stages through the final output stage to an antenna for transmission.

Increased dynamic range for power amplifiers used with polar modulation

The present invention provides for power amplifier control of amplifier circuitry including an input stage and one or more output stages. The input stage is powered separately from the output stage by a relatively fixed power source. The one or more output stages are supplied with power via a voltage regulator having a controllable output voltage. A closed loop control integrated with the amplifier stages forces the voltage output of the voltage regulator to track the profile of an adjustable control signal, such as V .

Growing community of inventors

Oak Ridge, NC, United States of America

Darrell G Epperson