Smart amplifier for time division duplex wireless applications
First Claim
Patent Images
1. In combination:
- an RF antenna;
a bi-directional RF amplifier module;
a DC injector;
a bi-directional cable; and
an RF modem, said RF amplifier module includingan RF input power sensor, an RF power level detector for determining if the RF power level on said bi-directional cable is below a select threshold, a transmit gain control circuit responsive to the RF power level on said bi-directional cable, a first switch, and a second switch, said DC injector being connected to said RF amplifier module by said bi-directional cable, said cable being capable of carrying a bi-directional RF signal and DC power, where the transmit gain control circuit maintains substantially constant output power in a transmit mode, and the amplifier module switches from the transmit mode to a receive mode when the RF power is below said select threshold.
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Abstract
A bi-directional antenna-mount amplifier particularly suited to be compatible with a broad range of advanced spread spectrum TDD wireless applications relying on either direct sequence or frequency hopping, at a wide range of frequencies, and which allows the radio device sharing of an associated antenna in different time intervals, where signal distortion is minimized due to operation of the amplifier which is governed by an equation and associated gain control circuits to maintain constant output power and prevent transmit signal saturation.
53 Citations
19 Claims
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1. In combination:
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an RF antenna;
a bi-directional RF amplifier module;
a DC injector;
a bi-directional cable; and
an RF modem, said RF amplifier module including an RF input power sensor, an RF power level detector for determining if the RF power level on said bi-directional cable is below a select threshold, a transmit gain control circuit responsive to the RF power level on said bi-directional cable, a first switch, and a second switch, said DC injector being connected to said RF amplifier module by said bi-directional cable, said cable being capable of carrying a bi-directional RF signal and DC power, where the transmit gain control circuit maintains substantially constant output power in a transmit mode, and the amplifier module switches from the transmit mode to a receive mode when the RF power is below said select threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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8. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a lighting strike protection circuitry.
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9. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a DC surge protection circuitry.
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10. The method of maintaining substantially constant output power of the amplifier in a combination according to claim 1, comprising the step of operating the amplifier according to the equation
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11. The combination of claim 1 wherein the transmit gain control circuit is responsive to the RF input power sensor.
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12. A circuit for a system having a signal source, an antenna, and a bi-directional cable coupled to the signal source and the antenna, the circuit comprising:
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a variable gain amplifier comprising a gain control module and a transmitting amplifier having a first input for coupling to the bi-directional cable, an output for coupling to the antenna, and a second input, wherein the variable gain amplifier amplifies an RF signal on the first input to produce an amplified signal on the output, and varies gain responsive to a signal on the second input; and
a power detection module having an input for coupling to the bi-directional cable, the power detection module having an output coupled to the second input of the amplifier, wherein the power detection module is responsive to a power level on the bi-directional cable. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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17. The circuit of claim 12 further comprising circuitry to protect the variable gain amplifier from lightning.
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18. The circuit of claim 12 wherein the signal source includes an RF modem.
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19. The circuit of claim 12 further including
a signal path that passes signals between the signal source and the bi-directional cable; - and
a power source that sends power to the amplifier, via the signal path.
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Specification