Analog power control system for a multi-carrier transmitter

Abstract

A power control system for a multi-carrier base station transmitter is capable of controlling power levels of individual RF carriers. The power control system has a multi-channel amplification system for converting a plurality of analog input signals into a plurality of amplified carrier signals. The amplification system also generates a plurality of reference signals corresponding to the amplified carrier signals. Furthermore, the amplification system generates a multi-carrier signal, where the multi-carrier signal includes a summation of the amplified carrier signals. A correlating power detection system is connected to the amplification system, where the correlating power detection system generates total power control signals based on the reference signals and the multi-carrier signal. The power control system also has an adjustment module connected to the amplification system and the power detection system, where the adjustment module controls amplification of the carrier signals based on the total power control signals. Sampling the amplified signals to obtain reference signals, and using these reference signals for control purposes allows greater power control than available under conventional approaches.