Amplifier having digital bias control apparatus
First Claim
1. In an amplifier circuit having a plurality of active amplifying elements, a digital control method for regulating the operating point of at least one of said active amplifying elements comprising the steps of:
- storing, in a memory, bias signal values individual to each of said active amplifying elements;
placing a selected one of said active amplifying elements in an active, no input signal condition;
reading from said memory a bias signal value individual to said selected active amplifying element;
applying a bias signal representative of said bias signal value to said selected active amplifying element;
monitoring the output current of said selected active amplifying element;
adjusting said bias signal value if said monitored output current varies from a predetermined value by greater than a predetermined amount.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This amplifier is equipped with a digital bias control apparatus to provide precise, dynamic control over the operating point of a plurality of amplifying elements in the ampliifer. A processor optimizes the operating point of each individual amplifying element as a function of the amplifying element characteristics, the operating environment and the applied input signal. The use of a processor also enables the user to remotely program the operating point of each individual amplifying element in the amplifier. The processor further enables dynamic changes in the operating characteristics of the amplifier as the operating environment of these amplifing elements changes. The processor also generates an alarm signal if any particular amplifying element is operating out of its nominal specifications. This digital bias control apparatus can function in class A, AB, B or C type of amplifiers whether they are tuned or untuned and whether the amplifier operates in a pulsed or continuous mode.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In an amplifier circuit having a plurality of active amplifying elements, a digital control method for regulating the operating point of at least one of said active amplifying elements comprising the steps of:
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storing, in a memory, bias signal values individual to each of said active amplifying elements; placing a selected one of said active amplifying elements in an active, no input signal condition; reading from said memory a bias signal value individual to said selected active amplifying element; applying a bias signal representative of said bias signal value to said selected active amplifying element; monitoring the output current of said selected active amplifying element; adjusting said bias signal value if said monitored output current varies from a predetermined value by greater than a predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In an amplifier circuit that includes a plurality of amplifying elements, a digital control apparatus for regulating the operating point of said amplifying elements comprising:
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means for storing bias signal values individual to each of said amplifying elements; means for selecting an individual one of said amplifying elements for operating point testing; means for applying a bias signal representative of the associated one of said stored bias signal values to said selected amplifying element; means for monitoring the output signal generated by said selected amplifying element; means responsive to said monitored output signal for modifying said associated stored bias signal value if said monitored output signal deviated from a predetermined value by greater than a predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification