SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF RF POWER TRANSMISSION, MODULATION, AND AMPLIFICATION, INCLUDING EMBODIMENTS FOR AMPLIFIER CLASS TRANSITIONING

• US 20070247217A1
• Filed: 08/24/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Inventors: Rawlins, Gregory S., Sorrells, David F., Rawlins, Michael W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,355,470 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 330/2
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/02 Modifications of amplifiers to raise the efficiency, e.g. gliding Class A stages, use of an auxiliary oscillation
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0205 in transistor amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0211 with control of the supply voltage or current
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0261 with control of the polarisation voltage or current, e.g. gliding Class A
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0294 using vector summing of two or more constant amplitude phase-modulated signals
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/32 Modifications of amplifiers to reduce non-linear distortion by negative feedback H03F1/34
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/102 A non-specified detector of a signal envelope being used in an amplifying circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2201/3206 Multiple channels are combined and amplified by only one amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/211 using a combination of several amplifiers H03F3/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/24 of transmitter output stages
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/38 DC amplifiers with modulator at input and demodulator at output; Modulators or demodulators specially adapted for use in such amplifiers switched capacitor amplifiers H03F3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3042 in modulators, frequency-changers, transmitters or power amplifiers transmission power control in bidirectional transmission systems H04W52/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/04 Circuits

Abstract

Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.

Claims

1. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level; and

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;

wherein said controlling step comprises controlling said power amplifier to transition between a plurality of amplifier classes of operation according to the determined power level of the output waveform.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said determined power level is an instantaneous power level determined at a particular instant of time.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said determined power level is an average power level determined over a particular time interval.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said controlling step further comprises controlling phase of input signals of said power amplifier.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said controlling step further comprises controlling bias of said power amplifier.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said controlling step further comprises controlling amplitude of input signals of said power amplifier.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein a power dynamic range of said power amplifier exceeds 90 dB.

4. (canceled)

5. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level; and

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;

wherein said controlling step comprises controlling said power amplifier to transition from a class A amplifier to a class S amplifier, while passing through intermediate amplifier classes AB, B, C, and D.

6. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level; and

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;

wherein said controlling step comprises controlling said power amplifier to transition from a class A amplifier to a class S amplifier, while passing through one or more intermediate amplifier classes.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said one or more intermediate amplifier classes comprise one or more of amplifier classes AB, B, C, and D.

11. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level; and

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;

wherein said controlling step comprises one or more of (a) controlling phase of input signals of said power amplifier, (b) controlling bias of said power amplifier, and (c) controlling amplitude of input signals of said power amplifier.

21. The method according to claim 11, wherein use of (a), (b), and (c) is based on determined control regions and said determined power level of said output waveform.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein boundaries of said control regions are determined based on a Complementary Cumulative Density Function (CCDF) and sideband performance criteria of said output waveform.

12. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation; and

controlling a class of operation of said power amplifier according to changes in trajectory of said output waveform.

13. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level; and

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;

wherein said power amplifier transitions from a class S amplifier to a class A amplifier as said output waveform transitions from a maximum value to zero.

14. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level; and

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;

wherein said power amplifier operates as a class A amplifier at zero crossings of said output waveform.

15. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level; and

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;

wherein said power amplifier switches to a higher class of operation as a complex envelope of said output waveform increases.

16. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;

wherein said power amplifier switches to a lower class of operation as a complex envelope of said output waveform decreases.

18. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation; and

controlling phase of input signals of said power amplifier, when said power level of said output waveform exceeds a determined threshold.

19. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation; and

controlling one or more of (a) phase of input signals of said power amplifier, (b) bias of said power amplifier, and (c) amplitude of input signals of said power amplifier, when said determined power level of said output waveform exceeds a first threshold but is below a second threshold.

20. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation; and

controlling one or more of (a) bias of said power amplifier and (b) amplitude of input signals of said power amplifier, when said determined power level of said output waveform is below a determined threshold.

23. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation; and

controlling an output current of said power amplifier according to said determined power level of said output waveform.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein said output current is controlled to have a conduction angle equal to 360 degrees, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class A amplifier.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein said output current is controlled to have a conduction angle that is greater than 180 degrees but lower than 360 degrees, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class AB amplifier.

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein said output current is controlled to have a conduction angle approximately equal to 180 degrees, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class B amplifier.

27. The method according to claim 23, wherein said output current is controlled to have a conduction angle lower than 180 degrees, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class C amplifier.

28. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level; and

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;

wherein said controlling step comprises controlling said power amplifier to operate as a switch, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class D amplifier.

29. A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

determining a power level of an output waveform;

determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level; and

controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;

wherein said controlling step comprises controlling said power amplifier to generate a pulse width modulated (PWM) output signal, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class S amplifier.

30. An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

wherein said means for controlling comprises means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a waveform trajectory of said output signal.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said power level is an instantaneous power level determined at a particular instant of time.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said power level is an average power level determined over a particular time interval.

37. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said means for controlling further comprises:

means for controlling phase of input signals of said power amplifier.

38. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said means for controlling further comprises:

means for controlling bias of said power amplifier.

39. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said means for controlling further comprises:

means for controlling amplitude of input signals of said power amplifier.

44. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein a power dynamic range of said power amplifier exceeds 90 dB.

33. (canceled)

34. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition from a class A amplifier to a class S amplifier, while passing through intermediate amplifier classes AB, B, C, and D.

35. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition from a class A amplifier to a class S amplifier, while passing through one or more intermediate amplifier classes.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said one or more intermediate amplifier classes comprise one or more of amplifier classes AB, B, C, and D.

40. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

wherein said means for controlling comprises means for controlling said power amplifier to transition from a class S amplifier to a class A amplifier as said output signal transitions from a maximum value to zero.

41. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

wherein said means for controlling comprises means for controlling said power amplifier to operate as a class A amplifier at zero crossings of said output signal.

42. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

wherein said means for controlling comprises means for controlling said power amplifier to switch to a higher class of operation as a complex envelope of said output signal increases.

43. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

wherein said means for controlling comprises means for controlling said power amplifier to switch to a lower class of operation as a complex envelope of said output signal decreases.

45. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

wherein said means for controlling comprises;

means for controlling an output current of said power amplifier according to said power level of said output signal.

46. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

wherein said means for controlling comprises;

means for controlling an output current of said power amplifier to have a conduction angle equal to 360 degrees, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class A amplifier.

47. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

wherein said means for controlling comprises;

means for controlling an output current of said power amplifier to have a conduction angle that is greater than 180 degrees but lower than 360 degrees, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class AB amplifier.

48. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

wherein said means for controlling comprises;

means for controlling an output current of said power amplifier to have a conduction angle approximately equal to 180 degrees, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class B amplifier.

49. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

wherein said means for controlling comprises;

means for controlling said power amplifier to operate as a switch, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class D amplifier.

50. An apparatus for power amplification. comprising:

input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;

vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;

a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal; and

means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;

wherein said means for controlling comprises;

means for controlling said power amplifier to generate a pulse width modulated (PWM) output signal, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class S amplifier.