DYNAMIC BIAS CONTROLLER FOR POWER AMPLIFIER CIRCUITS
First Claim
1. A bias controller to generate a bias voltage signal that sets a quiescent current value of a supply current into a power amplifier circuit, the bias controller comprising:
- a current detector to generate a detection signal responsive to the supply current; and
a closed-loop control circuit to adjust the bias voltage responsive to the detection signal in a first state such that supply current is set substantially equal to a desired quiescent current value, and to maintain the bias voltage during a second state irrespective of the detection signal.
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Abstract
A bias controller sets the quiescent current of a power amplifier to a desired value by dynamically adjusting the power amplifier bias voltage. Using closed-loop control, the bias controller sets the bias voltage to whatever value is needed despite circuit component variations and temperature effects. Operation of the bias controller complements dynamic bias voltage adjustment in advance of transmit operations, such as in advance of a transmit burst. In a first state, where the power amplifier is in a quiescent condition, the bias controller adjusts bias voltage to set the desired quiescent current by detecting the supply current into the power amplifier. The bias controller then transitions to a second state, where it maintains the adjusted bias voltage irrespective of amplifier supply current. Despite its ability to sense supply current into the power amplifier, the bias controller'"'"'s configurations avoid dissipative current sensing during normal operation of the power amplifier.
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Citations
65 Claims
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1. A bias controller to generate a bias voltage signal that sets a quiescent current value of a supply current into a power amplifier circuit, the bias controller comprising:
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a current detector to generate a detection signal responsive to the supply current; and
a closed-loop control circuit to adjust the bias voltage responsive to the detection signal in a first state such that supply current is set substantially equal to a desired quiescent current value, and to maintain the bias voltage during a second state irrespective of the detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A current modulator comprising:
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an output circuit to modulate a supply current responsive to an amplitude modulation signal;
a bias controller comprising;
a current detector to generate a detection signal responsive to the supply current during quiescent conditions; and
a closed-loop control circuit to adjust the bias voltage responsive to the detection signal in a first state such that supply current is set substantially equal to a desired quiescent current value, and to maintain the bias voltage during a second state irrespective of the detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method of controlling a bias voltage signal that sets a quiescent current value of supply current to a power amplifier circuit, the method comprising:
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detecting the supply current into the power amplifier circuit in a first state of operation;
adjusting the bias voltage during the first state of operation until the supply current substantially equals a desired quiescent current value;
maintaining the bias voltage during a second state of operation irrespective of the supply current. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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59. A method of setting supply current into a power amplifier to a desired quiescent current value by adjusting a bias voltage applied to the power amplifier, the method comprising:
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generating a detection signal proportional to the supply current;
adjusting the bias voltage using closed-loop control responsive to the detection signal such that the supply current is set to the desired quiescent current value. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification