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:
Mar. 20, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 23, 2004
Darrell G. Epperson, Oak Ridge, NC (US);
Carlos Gamero, High Point, NC (US);
Ryan Bosley, Greensboro, NC (US);
Joel R. Gibson, Chandler, AZ (US);
Michael Labelle, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Scott Yoder, Holly Springs, NC (US);
Darrell G. Epperson, Oak Ridge, NC (US);
Carlos Gamero, High Point, NC (US);
Ryan Bosley, Greensboro, NC (US);
Joel R. Gibson, Chandler, AZ (US);
Michael LaBelle, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Scott Yoder, Holly Springs, NC (US);
RF Micro Devices, Inc., Greensboro, NC (US);
Abstract
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.