Multiple-mode modulator to process baseband signals
First Claim
1. A multiple-mode modulator comprising:
- a. a signal source configured to generate a radio frequency signal from a baseband signal;
b. a power amplifier configured to receive a fixed input bias voltage, to operate in a linear region, a compressed region, and a saturation region, wherein the saturation region transitions between the linear region and the compressed region, and to output an amplified radio frequency signal;
c. an amplitude modulation signal path coupled to the signal source and an input supply port of the power amplifier, wherein the amplitude modulation signal path is configured to generate an amplitude modulation signal according to the baseband signal, further wherein the amplitude modulation signal is configured to compensate for a power amplifier distortion; and
d. a radio frequency signal path coupled to the signal source and an input radio frequency signal port of the power amplifier, wherein the radio frequency signal path is configured to provide a modulated radio frequency signal to the input radio frequency signal port of the power amplifier, wherein the modulated radio frequency signal includes a phase modulation signal and amplitude modulation of the radio frequency signal generated by the signal source.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple-mode modulator is configured similarly to a direct conversion quadrature modulator with an infusion of an amplitude modulation signal path from a large signal polar modulator to improve the power amplifier efficiency. The multiple-mode modulator also includes a radio frequency signal path. The multiple-mode modulator is configured to receive a baseband signal, convert the baseband signal to a radio frequency (RF) signal, and to process the RF signal according to either a polar mode or a quadrature mode, depending on a time-varying input voltage of the RF signal. When the power amplifier operates in the linear region, the RF signal is processed according to the quadrature mode. When the power amplifier operates in the compressed region, the RF signal is processed according to the polar mode. The multiple-mode modulator can be configured according to a small signal polar architecture or a large signal polar architecture, having either an open-loop or closed-loop configuration.
50 Citations
34 Claims
-
1. A multiple-mode modulator comprising:
-
a. a signal source configured to generate a radio frequency signal from a baseband signal; b. a power amplifier configured to receive a fixed input bias voltage, to operate in a linear region, a compressed region, and a saturation region, wherein the saturation region transitions between the linear region and the compressed region, and to output an amplified radio frequency signal; c. an amplitude modulation signal path coupled to the signal source and an input supply port of the power amplifier, wherein the amplitude modulation signal path is configured to generate an amplitude modulation signal according to the baseband signal, further wherein the amplitude modulation signal is configured to compensate for a power amplifier distortion; and d. a radio frequency signal path coupled to the signal source and an input radio frequency signal port of the power amplifier, wherein the radio frequency signal path is configured to provide a modulated radio frequency signal to the input radio frequency signal port of the power amplifier, wherein the modulated radio frequency signal includes a phase modulation signal and amplitude modulation of the radio frequency signal generated by the signal source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method of modulating a signal, the method comprising:
-
a. generating a radio frequency signal from a baseband signal; b. providing a fixed input bias voltage to a power amplifier; c. configuring the power amplifier to operate in a linear region, a compressed region, and a saturation region, wherein the saturation region transitions between the linear region and the compressed region, and to output an amplified radio frequency signal; d. generating an amplitude modulation signal according to the baseband signal, wherein the amplitude modulation signal compensates for a power amplifier distortion; e. generating a phase modulation signal according to the radio frequency signal, wherein the phase modulation signal compensates for the power amplifier distortion; and f. inputting the amplitude modulation signal to an input supply port of the power amplifier and inputting the phase modulation signal to an input radio frequency signal port of the power amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
Specification