Texas Instruments Corporation

Lionel Pauc

Carsten Hinrichsen

A power amplifier controller ( ) for a wireless communications device ( ), such as a wireless telephone, is disclosed. The power amplifier controller ( ) has includes controllable bias current sources ( ) coupled to Schottky diodes ( ), which are coupled to power amplifiers ( ) to sense their power output. The controllable bias current sources ( ) selectably apply one of multiple available bias currents (I I ) to their corresponding Schottky diodes ( F, R). Timing and control circuitry ( ) in the power amplifier controller ( ) receives a desired power level signal (DESPWR), and control switches (SW SW ) in the controllable bias current sources ( ) to apply a bias current (I I ) responsive to the level of power indicated by the desired power level signal (DESPWR). The power detected by Schottky diodes ( F, R) is applied to a summing adder ( ), from which a control signal (VAPC) is derived and used to control the output of the power amplifiers ( ). The controllable bias currents (I I ) permit the power output to be selectably sensed with high dynamic range or high sensitivity, depending upon the power level to be applied.

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Saint Vallier de Thiey, France

Lionel Pauc