Linear amplifying apparatus using coupled non-linear amplifiers
First Claim
1. An amplifying apparatus for linearly amplifying an input signal using a pair of coupled non-linear amplifiers, comprising:
- limiting means for separating amplitude and phase variations of said input signal and for producing an amplitude-limited signal bearing the phase of said input signal and an amplitude-related signal which is proportional to the amplitude of said input signal;
signal generating means for producing two time-varying signals each dependent on said amplitude-related signal such that the sum of the squares of the amplitudes of said time-varying signals is constant; and
a first coupling means for coupling said time-varying signals and said amplitude-limited signal to produce two constant amplitude drive signals for driving said pair of non-linear power amplifiers; and
second coupling means for coupling the outputs of said power amplifiers to produce two amplified output signals, one of which is a desired linearly amplified signal and the other of which is a waste energy signal.
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Abstract
An amplifying apparatus for linearly amplifying a desired signal using a pair of coupled non-linear amplifiers is disclosed. The amplifying apparatus comprises a limiter for separating amplitude variations from the desired signal and producing a constant amplitude signal bearing the phase of the desired signal and an amplitude related signal. In addition, a drive signal generater produces two drive signals each dependent on the constant amplitude signal and the amplitude related signal such that each drive signal depends on the phase of the desired signal and such that the sum of the squares of the amplitudes of the drive signals is constant. Finally, a coupler couples the two drive signals to produce two constant amplitude signals for driving the pair of non-linear power amplifiers and for coupling the outputs of the power amplifiers to produce two amplified output signals, one of which is the linearly amplified desired signal and the other of which is a waste energy signal.
81 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An amplifying apparatus for linearly amplifying an input signal using a pair of coupled non-linear amplifiers, comprising:
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limiting means for separating amplitude and phase variations of said input signal and for producing an amplitude-limited signal bearing the phase of said input signal and an amplitude-related signal which is proportional to the amplitude of said input signal; signal generating means for producing two time-varying signals each dependent on said amplitude-related signal such that the sum of the squares of the amplitudes of said time-varying signals is constant; and a first coupling means for coupling said time-varying signals and said amplitude-limited signal to produce two constant amplitude drive signals for driving said pair of non-linear power amplifiers; and
second coupling means for coupling the outputs of said power amplifiers to produce two amplified output signals, one of which is a desired linearly amplified signal and the other of which is a waste energy signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A matrix power amplifier apparatus amplifying a plurality of input signals varying in amplitude and/or phase to desired amplified power levels using a plurality of constant-envelope power amplifier stages, a total number of said power amplifier stages being equal to at least twice a total number of said input signals, comprising:
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passive lossless combining means combining outputs of said power amplifier stages to produce a plurality of desired output signals and a plurality of waste energy signals, a total number of said desired output signals being equal to said total number of input signals; and signal generating means generating a plurality of phase varying drive signals of constant amplitude for driving said constant-envelope power amplifier stages, said phase varying drive signals being generated in dependence on said input signals such that a total number of said phase varying drive signals is equal to said total number of power amplifier stages and such that said desired output signals are equal in amplitude to said desired amplified power levels. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification