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:
Aug. 05, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 03, 2001
James Stuart Wight, Ottawa, CA;
IceFyre Semiconductor Corporation, Ottawa, CA;
Abstract
A switched-mode power amplifier is configured for performing power amplification of a plurality of signals input thereto and integrally summing (combining) those signals. Conceptually, this is achieved by replacing the center-tapped input winding component of the transformer within a conventional, balanced-type transformer-coupled voltage switching amplifier with separate input components, one for each input signal, in similar manner to the configuration of the input components of a conventional three-port combiner (trifilar). Accordingly, the input winding of the amplifier's transformer is comprised of a plurality of series-coupled windings, one for each of the plurality of input components/signals. In one embodiment, using balanced amplifier input components comprising series-coupled center-tapped windings, the center tap of each input winding is connected to a voltage rail and each terminal end of the winding is driven by an amplifying active device (i.e. transistor) fed by the input signals for that input component. These active devices alternately switch between a low output impedance and a high output impedance whereby the resulting parallel output impedance is low. Consequently, the series-coupled center-tapped windings of the plurality of input components constitutes a series connection of low output impedance sources applied to the amplifier's resonator and load. This, in turn, provides a high level of isolation between the amplifier input components and results in a low level of loss.