Programmable low dropout regulators with fast transient response when programming output voltage
First Claim
1. A mobile device comprising:
- a transceiver configured to generate a radio frequency signal;
a multi-stage power amplifier configured to amplify the radio frequency signal, the multi-stage power amplifier including a driver stage and an output stage; and
a power management system including an envelope tracker configured to control a supply voltage of the output stage in relation to an envelope of the radio frequency signal, and a programmable low dropout regulator including an output configured to provide a programmable supply voltage to the driver stage, the programmable low dropout regulator including an output capacitor electrically connected to the output, a regulation transistor having a drain electrically connected to the output, and an alternative discharge circuit configured to activate an electrical path to discharge the output capacitor in response to programming the programmable supply voltage from a high voltage level to a low voltage level, the alternative discharge circuit including a comparator configured to activate the electrical path based on comparing the programmable supply voltage to a trigger voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for programmable low dropout regulators for radio frequency (RF) electronics are provided herein. In certain configurations, a power amplifier system includes a multi-stage power amplifier that amplifies a radio frequency signal and includes a driver stage and an output stage. The power amplifier system further includes an envelope tracker that controls a supply voltage of the output stage in relation to an envelope of the radio frequency signal, and a programmable low dropout regulator that includes an output that provides a programmable supply voltage to the driver stage. The programmable low dropout regulator includes an output capacitor electrically connected to the output, a regulation transistor having a drain electrically connected to the output, and an alternative discharge circuit that discharges the output capacitor in response to programming the programmable supply voltage from a high voltage level to a low voltage level.
26 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mobile device comprising:
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a transceiver configured to generate a radio frequency signal; a multi-stage power amplifier configured to amplify the radio frequency signal, the multi-stage power amplifier including a driver stage and an output stage; and a power management system including an envelope tracker configured to control a supply voltage of the output stage in relation to an envelope of the radio frequency signal, and a programmable low dropout regulator including an output configured to provide a programmable supply voltage to the driver stage, the programmable low dropout regulator including an output capacitor electrically connected to the output, a regulation transistor having a drain electrically connected to the output, and an alternative discharge circuit configured to activate an electrical path to discharge the output capacitor in response to programming the programmable supply voltage from a high voltage level to a low voltage level, the alternative discharge circuit including a comparator configured to activate the electrical path based on comparing the programmable supply voltage to a trigger voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 20)
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8. A power amplifier system comprising:
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a multi-stage power amplifier configured to amplify a radio frequency signal, the multi-stage power amplifier including a driver stage and an output stage; an envelope tracker configured to control a supply voltage of the output stage in relation to an envelope of the radio frequency signal; and a programmable low dropout regulator including an output configured to provide a programmable supply voltage to the driver stage, the programmable low dropout regulator including an output capacitor electrically connected to the output, a regulation transistor having a drain electrically connected to the output, and an alternative discharge circuit configured to activate an electrical path to discharge the output capacitor in response to programming the programmable supply voltage from a high voltage level to a low voltage level, the alternative discharge circuit including a comparator configured to activate the electrical path based on comparing the programmable supply voltage to a trigger voltage. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of signal amplification in a mobile device, the method comprising:
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amplifying a radio frequency signal using a driver stage and an output stage of a multi-stage power amplifier; controlling a supply voltage of the output stage in relation to an envelope of the radio frequency signal using an envelope tracker; and providing the driver stage with a programmable supply voltage from an output of a programmable low dropout regulator, including stabilizing the programmable supply voltage using an output capacitor electrically connected to the output, regulating the programmable supply voltage using a regulation transistor having a drain electrically connected to the output, activating an electrical path based on comparing the programmable supply voltage to a trigger voltage using a comparator of an alternative discharge circuit, and discharging the output capacitor using the electrical path in response to programming the programmable supply voltage from a high voltage level to a low voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification