Transmitter Architecture and Related Methods
First Claim
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1. A radio frequency (RF) transmitter, comprising:
- a first RF power amplifier;
a second RF power amplifier;
a combiner to combine output signals of the first and second RF power amplifiers;
a first digital-to-RF modulator to generate an RF input signal for the first RF power amplifier based on first information indicative of a first amplitude and a first phase;
a second digital-to-RF modulator to generate an RF input signal for the second RF power amplifier based on second information indicative of a second amplitude and a second phase;
a first voltage control unit to provide a variable supply voltage to the first RF power amplifier in response to a first control signal;
a second voltage control unit to provide a variable supply voltage to the second RF power amplifier in response to a second control signal; and
a controller to provide the first information, the second information, the first control signal, and the second control signal based, at least in part, on transmit data to be transmitted from the RF transmitter, wherein the controller controls at least one of the first amplitude associated with the first information and the second amplitude associated with the second information to set an output power level of the RF transmitter.
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Abstract
A radio frequency (RF) transmitter includes one or more power amplifiers and a controller that is configured to adjust amplitudes and phases of RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers and supply voltages applied to the one or more power amplifiers. In embodiments where multiple power amplifiers are used, a combiner may be provided to combine outputs of the power amplifiers. In at least one implementation, amplitude adjustment of the RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers may be used to provide transmit power control and/or power backoff for the RF transmitter.
101 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A radio frequency (RF) transmitter, comprising:
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a first RF power amplifier; a second RF power amplifier; a combiner to combine output signals of the first and second RF power amplifiers; a first digital-to-RF modulator to generate an RF input signal for the first RF power amplifier based on first information indicative of a first amplitude and a first phase; a second digital-to-RF modulator to generate an RF input signal for the second RF power amplifier based on second information indicative of a second amplitude and a second phase; a first voltage control unit to provide a variable supply voltage to the first RF power amplifier in response to a first control signal; a second voltage control unit to provide a variable supply voltage to the second RF power amplifier in response to a second control signal; and a controller to provide the first information, the second information, the first control signal, and the second control signal based, at least in part, on transmit data to be transmitted from the RF transmitter, wherein the controller controls at least one of the first amplitude associated with the first information and the second amplitude associated with the second information to set an output power level of the RF transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A machine implemented method for operating an RF transmitter having at least two digital-to-radio frequency (RF) modulators driving at least two power amplifiers and a combiner to combine output signals of the at least two power amplifiers, the method comprising:
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obtaining transmit data to be transmitted from the RF transmitter; generating input information for the at least two digital-to-RF modulators based, at least in part, on the transmit data, the input information to control amplitudes and phases of RF output signals of the at least two digital-to-RF modulators, wherein generating input information includes controlling one or more amplitudes associated with the at least two digital-to-RF modulators to set an output power level of the RF transmitter; delivering the output signals of the at least two digital-to-RF modulators to corresponding inputs of the at least two power amplifiers; selecting supply voltages for each of the at least two power amplifiers based, at least in part, on the transmit data; and combining the output signals of the at least two power amplifiers to generate a transmitter output signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An apparatus comprising a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, perform a method for operating an RF transmitter having at least two digital-to-radio frequency (RF) modulators feeding at least two power amplifiers and a combiner to combine output signals of the at least two power amplifiers, the method comprising:
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obtaining transmit data to be transmitted from the RF transmitter; providing input information for the at least two digital-to-RF modulators based, at least in part, on the transmit data, the input information to control amplitudes and phases of RF output signals of the at least two digital-to-RF modulators, wherein generating input information includes controlling one or more amplitudes associated with the at least two digital-to-RF modulators to set an output power level of the RF transmitter; and selecting supply voltages for each of the at least two power amplifiers based, at least in part, on the transmit data. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification