Systems and Methods of RF Power Transmission, Modulation, and Amplification, Including Varying Weights of Control Signals

• US 20120293252A1
• Filed: 08/02/2012
• Published: 11/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Inventors: Sorrells, David F., Rawlins, Gregory S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,766,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 330/124.R
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0294 using vector summing of two or more constant amplitude phase-modulated signals
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2200/451 the amplifier being a radio frequency amplifier
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 2203/21106 An input signal being distributed in parallel over the inputs of a plurality of power amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/195 in integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/211 using a combination of several amplifiers H03F3/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/213 in integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/2175 using analogue-digital or digital-analogue conversion H03F3/2173 takes precedence

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for control of a multiple-input-single output (MISO) device. For example, the method includes determining a change in power output level from a first power output level to a second power output level of the MISO device. The method also includes varying one or more weights associated with respective one or more controls of the MISO device to cause the change in power output. The one or more controls can include one or more of (a) a phase control of one or more input signals to the MISO device, (b) a bias control of the MISO device, and (c) an amplitude control of the input signals to the MISO device

Claims

1. A method for control of a multiple-input-single-output (MISO) device, the method comprising:

determining a change in power output from a first power output level to a second power output level of the MISO device; and

varying one or more weights associated with respective one or more controls of the MISO device to cause the change in power output level, wherein the one or more controls comprises one or more of (a) a phase control of one or more input signals to the MISO device, (b) a bias control of the MISO device, and (c) an amplitude control of the input signals to the MISO device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining comprises determining the change based on I and Q data reflecting a desired output waveform from the MISO device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the varying comprises adjusting the phase control via one or more vector modulators coupled to respective one or more inputs of the MISO device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the varying comprises adjusting the bias control via one or more pre-driver devices coupled to respective one or more inputs of the MISO device, one or more driver devices located within the MISO device, or a combination thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the varying comprises adjusting the amplitude control via a transfer function module coupled to one or more inputs of the MISO device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the varying comprises varying the one or more weights based on one or more of a branch phase imbalance, a branch amplitude imbalance, and branch isolation of the MISO device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the varying comprises transitioning the MISO device between a plurality of classes of operation.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the varying comprises transitioning the MISO device from at least one of a linear mode of operation to a non-linear mode of operation, the non-linear mode of operation to the linear mode of operation, or a combination thereof.

9. A system comprising:

a multiple-input-single-output (MISO) device; and

a transfer function module configured to change an power output level of the MISO device by varying one or more weights associated with respective one or more controls of the MISO device, wherein the one or more controls of the MISO device comprises one or more of (a) a phase control of one or more input signals to the MISO device, (a) a bias control of the MISO device, and (c) an amplitude control of the input signals to the MISO device.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

one or more vector modulators coupled to respective one or more inputs of the MISO device, wherein the one or more vector modulators are configured to adjust the phase control.

11. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

one or more pre-driver devices coupled to respective one or more inputs of the MISO device, wherein a bias associated with each or the one or more pre-driver devices is adjusted by the transfer function module.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the MISO device comprises one or more driver devices, and wherein a bias associated with each of the one or more drivers is adjusted by the transfer function module.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the transfer function module is configured to determine the change the power output level of the MISO device based on I and Q data reflecting a desired output waveform from the MISO device.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the transfer function module is configured to adjust the amplitude control.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the transfer function is configured to vary the one or more weights based on one or more of a branch phase imbalance, a branch amplitude imbalance, and branch isolation of the MISO device.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the MISO device is configured to transition between a plurality of classes of operation based on the varying of the one or more weights.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein the MISO device is configured to transition from at least one or a linear mode of operation to a non-linear mode of operation, the non-linear mode of operation to the linear mode of operation, or a combination thereof based on the varying of the one or more weights.