Linearization of power amplifier

Abstract

A apparatus linearizing and technique for linearizing a non-linear power amplifier used in a transmitter of, e.g., a TDMA mobile wireless telephone. Linearization of the non-linear amplifier by changing the shape of the input signal is performed when the input signal level is high, thus increasing efficiency or reducing power consumption at that time, albeit at the cost of increased inter-symbol interference (ISI). However, since the input signals at that time are at a high level, the increased ISI can be tolerated and adjacent symbols can still be distinguished from one another. The invention allows use of a non-linear power amplifier which typically enjoys a lower current consumption than that of a linear power amplifier, thus increasing the time between battery recharges and/or reducing the overall size of the wireless telephone device. The power amplifier is operated in a linear mode when transmitted power is low, thus allowing differentiation between adjacent symbols (i.e., improvement of ISI). At high input power, the power amplifier is used in its non-linear mode to reduce current consumption. The signal shape is changed by changing the parameters of the root raised cosine filters. When the input level is low, the existing, otherwise conventional filter's parameters are used. However, when the input power level is high, modified parameters are used. Switching between the two sets of filter parameters is preferably performed at baseband. Thus, a relationship between RRCF filter parameters and the amount of spectrum utilized by the transmitted signal is utilized, and RRCF filter parameters are adjusted based on a desired limitation to an output spectrum.