Rf Micro Devices, Inc.

Michael S LaBelle

Scott Yoder

Darrell G Epperson

Joel Robert Gibson

Michael B Thomas

Ryan Bosley

Carlos Gamero

Timothy Keith Coffman

Tracy Scott Martin

Jamel Benbrik

Shane Moore

An apparatus comprises at least one transmit amplifier and rectification circuitry located in the at least one transmit amplifier, which is configured to receive a RF signal and provide a rectified voltage, which is selectably added to a voltage supplied by a battery to generate a DC voltage supply signal that is a function of RF power level. A controller is configured to select between providing the VBAT or the VSupply signal to a transmit switch depending on one or more of a logic state and a mode of operation. An alternate apparatus comprises a charge pump circuit configured to quickly raise a voltage supplied to it and store the output voltage on a capacitor and then either shift a first frequency provided by a charge pump oscillator to a lower second frequency or turn off a charge pump clock to maintain a voltage on the capacitor during a transmit mode.

Circuits and methods for providing a control voltage and improving switch performance in radio frequency (RF) modules

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 mobile terminal senses transmitted power in a Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) circuit. The GaAs circuit provides a steady reference voltage through the use of an operational amplifier and feedback circuit. The operational amplifier drives the bases of two transistors to create balanced signals that are then used by a detection circuit.

GaAs RF signal detection circuit with operational amplifier

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Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Michael S LaBelle