The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 30, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 07, 1999
William O. Camp, Jr., Chapel Hill, NC (US);
Paul W. Dent, Pittsboro, NC (US);
Alan R. Holden, Apex, NC (US);
Ericsson Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC (US);
Abstract
Power IQ modulation systems and methods include first and second power amplifiers, each including a signal input, a supply input and a power input. The first and second power amplifiers are preferably class-C power amplifiers. A source of first, second, third and fourth reference frequency signals is also provided. The first and second reference frequency signals are inverted relative to one another, and the third and fourth reference frequency signals are inverted relative to one another. Preferably, the first, second, third and fourth reference frequency signals are 0°, 180°, 90° and 270° phase shifted reference frequency signals, respectively. A switching system is also provided that selectively applies one of the first and second reference frequency signals to the signal input of the first power amplifier as a function of the polarity of one of the I and Q input signals. The switching system also selectively applies one of the third and fourth reference frequency signals to the signal input of the second power amplifier as a function of the polarity of the other of the I and Q input signals. A third amplifier, preferably a class-D amplifier, is responsive to the one of the I and Q input signals to supply a first variable supply voltage to the supply input of the first amplifier. A fourth amplifier, also preferably a class-D amplifier, is responsive to the other of I and Q input signals to supply a second variable supply voltage to the supply input of the second amplifier. A coupler couples the power outputs of the first and second power amplifiers to a load such as a radiotelephone antenna. Accordingly, power IQ modulation is provided that can use class-C and class-D amplifiers that are highly efficient.