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High-efficiency modulation RF amplifier

  • US 6,377,784 B2
  • Filed: 02/09/1999
  • Issued: 04/23/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. RF amplification circuitry comprising:

  • a modulation encoder block responsive to a data input signal for producing as output signals a magnitude signal and a phase signal each describing corresponding characteristics of a desired RF output signal;

    a carrier generation block responsive to the phase signal and to a tuning input signal for producing an RF carrier signal having a frequency determined in accordance with the tuning input signal and having a phase modulation characteristic determined in accordance with the phase signal;

    a magnitude driver block responsive to the magnitude signal and to a power level input signal for producing at least one magnitude drive signal having a drive strength determined in accordance with both the magnitude signal and the power level input signal; and

    RF power amplifier circuitry having at least one stage and having the magnitude drive signal as a supply voltage, the RF carrier signal causing the one stage to be driven repeatedly between two states, a hard-on state and a hard-off state, without operating the stage in a linear operating region for an appreciable percentage of time, thereby producing an RF output signal;

    wherein the RF power amplifier circuitry is controlled without continuous or frequent feedback adjustment of the RF output signal.

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