Accurate power detection for a multi-stage amplifier
First Claim
1. An amplifier circuit comprising:
- an amplifier comprising an input, an output, and a plurality of amplifier stages coupled in series between the input and the output, wherein a signal path extends through the plurality of amplifier stages between the input and the output; and
a power detector circuit including a first input and a second input, each coupled to sample a signal transmitted along the signal path, wherein the first input is coupled to a first interior node of the signal path and the second input is coupled to a second interior node of the signal path, the first and second interior nodes being disposed between, but exclusive of, the input and the output of the amplifier, wherein the power detector circuit is operable to sample the signal transmitted along the signal path at both the first and second interior nodes, thereby creating first and second sample signals, respectively, and combine the first and second sample signals to generate a first signal reflective of both the first and second sample signals.
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Abstract
A multi-stage amplifier is coupled with a power detector. The multi-stage amplifier includes a plurality of amplifier stages in series, with a signal path extending through them. The power detector is coupled to an interior node of the amplifier along the signal path, and is operable to sample a first signal being transmitted on the signal path. The power detector outputs a second signal reflective of a power of the first signal. In one embodiment, the interior node is in a matching network of the amplifier disposed between a first amplifier stage and a final amplifier stage of the amplifier. The second signal may be used in a feedback network to adjust an amount of amplification of the first signal by the amplifier.
85 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An amplifier circuit comprising:
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an amplifier comprising an input, an output, and a plurality of amplifier stages coupled in series between the input and the output, wherein a signal path extends through the plurality of amplifier stages between the input and the output; and
a power detector circuit including a first input and a second input, each coupled to sample a signal transmitted along the signal path, wherein the first input is coupled to a first interior node of the signal path and the second input is coupled to a second interior node of the signal path, the first and second interior nodes being disposed between, but exclusive of, the input and the output of the amplifier, wherein the power detector circuit is operable to sample the signal transmitted along the signal path at both the first and second interior nodes, thereby creating first and second sample signals, respectively, and combine the first and second sample signals to generate a first signal reflective of both the first and second sample signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An amplifier circuit comprising:
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an amplifier comprising an input, an output, and a plurality of amplifier stages coupled in series between the input and the output, wherein a signal path extends through the plurality of amplifier stages between the input and the output; and
a power detector circuit including at least first and second inputs each coupled to sample a signal, wherein the first and second inputs are each coupled to the signal path at first and second interior nodes, respectively, of the amplifier, the first and second interior nodes being disposed between, but exclusive of, the input and the output of the amplifier, and the power detector circuit is operable to output a first signal reflective of the signal sampled at the at least first and second inputs. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26)
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20. A method comprising:
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providing an amplifier comprising an input, an output, and a plurality of amplifier stages coupled in series between the input and the output, wherein a signal path extends through the plurality of amplifier stages between the input and the output;
sampling a plurality of nodes, including sampling at an interior node within the amplifier that is between, but exclusive of, the input and output of the amplifier;
forming a first signal reflective of the sampling at the plurality of nodes, including the interior node;
providing a DC bias to at least one of the plurality amplifier stages, the DC bias being based, at least in part, on the first signal, wherein the sampling includes sampling at a second interior node on the signal path, the second interior node being between, but exclusive of, the input and output of the amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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23. A method comprising:
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providing an amplifier comprising an input, an output, and a plurality of amplifier stages coupled in series between the input and the output, wherein a signal path extends through the plurality of amplifier stages between the input and the output;
sampling a plurality of nodes, including sampling at an interior said node within the amplifier that is between, but exclusive of, the input and output of the amplifier;
forming a first signal reflective of the sampling at the plurality of nodes, including the interior said node;
providing a DC bias to at least one of the plurality amplifier stages, the DC bias being based, at least in part, on the first signal, wherein the first signal is formed by summing signals derived from the sampling.
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24. A method comprising:
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providing an amplifier comprising an input, an output, and a plurality of amplifier stages coupled in series between the input and the output, wherein a signal path extends through the plurality of amplifier stages between the input and the output;
sampling a plurality of nodes, including sampling at an interior said node within the amplifier that is between, but exclusive of, the input and output of the amplifier;
forming a first signal reflective of the sampling at the plurality of nodes, including the interior said node;
providing a DC bias to at least one of the plurality amplifier stages, the DC bias being based, at least in part, on the first signal, wherein the first signal is formed based on a difference between signals derived from the sampling.
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Specification