Load variation tolerant radio frequency (RF) amplifier
First Claim
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1. An integrated power amplifier, comprising:
- a plurality of amplification paths;
a first phase shift element at an input of each amplification path;
a second phase shift element at an output of each amplification path;
an impedance transformation element associated with the second phase shift element;
a power combiner configured to combine an output of each amplification path into a single output, wherein the first phase shift element, the second phase shift element, the impedance transformation element and the power combiner are integrated on a single multi-layer module; and
an active switch associated with each amplification path, each active switch configured to detect impedance of its respective amplification path and select an amplification path based on the detected impedance.
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Abstract
A power amplifier having a phase shift and impedance transformation element is disclosed. The power amplifier comprises a plurality of amplification paths, a first phase shift element at an input of each amplification path and a second phase shift element at an output of each amplification path. The amplifier also comprises an impedance transformation element associated with the second phase shift element and a power combiner configured to combine an output of each amplification path into a single output.
128 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An integrated power amplifier, comprising:
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a plurality of amplification paths;
a first phase shift element at an input of each amplification path;
a second phase shift element at an output of each amplification path;
an impedance transformation element associated with the second phase shift element;
a power combiner configured to combine an output of each amplification path into a single output, wherein the first phase shift element, the second phase shift element, the impedance transformation element and the power combiner are integrated on a single multi-layer module; and
an active switch associated with each amplification path, each active switch configured to detect impedance of its respective amplification path and select an amplification path based on the detected impedance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A portable communication transceiver, comprising:
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a balanced power amplifier having a plurality of amplification paths;
a first phase shift element at an input of each amplification path;
a second phase shift element at an output of each amplification path;
an impedance transformation element associated with the second phase shift element;
a power combiner configured to combine an output of each amplification path into a single output, wherein the first phase shift element, the second phase shift element, the impedance transformation element and the power combiner are integrated on a single multi-layer module; and
an active switch associated with each amplification path, each active switch configured to detect impedance of its respective amplification path and select an amplification path based on the detected impedance. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for altering the impedance of a power amplifier, comprising:
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providing a plurality of amplification paths;
supplying a signal to each of the amplification paths;
altering the phase of the signal supplied to each amplification path;
substantially oppositely altering the phase of the signal at an output of each amplification path and with respect to each amplification path;
transforming the impedance of the signal;
combining the signal from each of the amplification paths into a single output;
detecting an impedance of each of the plurality of amplification paths; and
selecting an amplification path based on the detected impedance. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification