METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POWER CONTROL WITH OPTIMUM POWER EFFICIENCY WITH A MULTI-PORT DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA

• US 20100227575A1
• Filed: 03/03/2009
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rofougaran, Maryam, Rofougaran, Ahmadreza
• Granted Patent: US 8,086,192 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/127.100
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/267 Phased-array testing or checking devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/30 varying the relative phase between the radiating elements of an array H01Q3/2605, H01Q3/2658, H01Q3/2682, H01Q3/44 take precedence
• 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 3/24 of transmitter output stages
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0483 Transmitters with multiple parallel paths
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/045 with means for improving efficiency

Abstract

Methods and systems for power control with optimum power efficiency with a multi-port distributed antenna are disclosed and may include selectively enabling one or more power amplifiers (PAs) coupled to the antenna. The selective enabling may be based on a desired output power radiated from the antenna, and the PAs may be coupled to ports on the antenna based on an output impedance of the PAs and a characteristic impedance of the ports. Each of the PAs may be configured for maximum efficiency in different power ranges. The power ranges may be inversely proportional to the output impedance of the PAs. The output power may be monitored utilizing a power detector, such as an envelope detector, coupled to the antenna. The antenna may be integrated on a chip with the one or more PAs or may be located external to the chip. The antenna may include a microstrip antenna.

Claims

1. A method for enabling communication, the method comprising:

in a wireless device, selectively enabling one or more power amplifiers coupled to a multi-port distributed antenna, wherein;

said selective enabling is based on a desired output power radiated from said multi-port distributed antenna; and

said power amplifiers are coupled to one or more ports on said multi-port distributed antenna based on an output impedance of said power amplifiers and a characteristic impedance of said ports on said multi-port distributed antenna.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of said one or more power amplifiers is configured for maximum efficiency in different output power ranges.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said output power ranges are inversely proportional to said output impedance of said power amplifiers.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising monitoring said output power utilizing a power detector coupled to said multi-port distributed antenna.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said power detector comprises an envelope detector.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said envelope detector comprises a diode.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said multi-port distributed antenna is integrated on a chip with said one or more power amplifiers.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said distributed antenna is located external to said chip.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said multi-port distributed antenna comprises a microstrip antenna.

10. The method according to claim 1, comprising transmitting RF signals via said one or more selectively enabled power amplifiers and said multi-port distributed antenna.

11. A system for enabling communication, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for use in a wireless device, said one or more circuits comprising a plurality of power amplifiers, and said plurality of power amplifiers are coupled to a single distributed antenna via a plurality of antenna ports, wherein;

said one or more circuits are operable to selectively enable one or more of said power amplifiers coupled to a multi-port distributed antenna, wherein;

said selective enabling is based on a desired output power radiated from said multi-port distributed antenna; and

said power amplifiers are coupled to said antenna ports based on an output impedance of said power amplifiers and a characteristic impedance of said ports on said multi-port distributed antenna.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein each of said one or more power amplifiers is configured for maximum efficiency in different output power ranges.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said output power ranges are inversely proportional to said output impedance of said power amplifiers.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits comprise a power detector coupled to said multi-port distributed antenna, and said power detector is operable to monitor said output power.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said power detector comprises an envelope detector.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said envelope detector comprises a diode.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein said multi-port distributed antenna is integrated on a chip with said one or more power amplifiers.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein said distributed antenna is located external to said chip.

19. The system according to claim 11, wherein said multi-port distributed antenna comprises a microstrip antenna.

20. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits are operable to transmit RF signals via said one or more selectively enabled power amplifiers and said multi-port distributed antenna.