Method and system for software defined power amplifier for multi-band applications

• US 8,249,573 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2007
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rofougaran, Ahmadreza
• Primary Examiner(s): DOAN, KIET M
• Application Number:
  US11/678,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20080205547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,003 Days
• Field of Search: 343/861, 343/787, 330/285, 330/10, 330/295, 330/296, 363/21.01, 455/232.1, 455/127.3, 455/475.7, 455/90.3, 455/22, 455/105, 455/168.1, 455/562, 455/561, 455/447, 375/376, 375/375
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 1/0029 using FETs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/12 Frequency diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 25/0278 Arrangements for impedance matching

Abstract

Methods and systems for software definition of a power amplifier for multi-band applications are disclosed and may comprise configuring a single programmable output stage of a transmitter to transmit a signal via one of a plurality of selectively coupled antennas, wherein each antenna handles signals in a different frequency band. A power amplifier within the single programmable output stage may be tuned to a frequency within a range of frequencies handled by the selectively coupled antenna. The tuning may be accomplished by programmably adjusting at least one inductance and capacitance. The antennas may be impedance matched to the power amplifier using transformers and may be activated by at least one integrated transistor. The power amplifier may be biased in a class of operation, which may include Class A, AB, C and F, and may be biased utilizing a digitally-controlled current source and a digitally-controlled voltage source.

Claims

1. A method for controlling signals m a circuit, the method comprising:

configuring a single programmable output stage of a transmitter to handle the transmission of a signal via one of a plurality of antennas selectively coupleable to said programmable output stage, wherein each of said plurality of antennas handles signals in a different frequency band and said single programmable output stage comprises a power amplifier tunable to a frequency within a range of frequencies;

biasing said power amplifier within said single programmable output stage based on a class of operation, said class of operation comprising class A, AB, C and F; and

selectively coupling one of said plurality of antennas to said single programmable output stage for said transmission of said signal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said tuning comprises programmably adjusting at least one of:

an inductance and a capacitance of said single programmable output stage.

3. The method according to claim 1, comprising impedance matching each of said plurality of antennas to said power amplifier within said single programmable output stage using transformers.

4. The method according to claim 1, comprising enabling said selectively coupled one of said plurality of antennas.

5. The method according to claim 4, comprising activating at least one integrated transistor for said enabling said selectively coupled one of said plurality of antennas.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising biasing said power amplifier integrated within said programmable output stage utilizing a digitally-controlled current source.

7. The method according to claim 1, comprising biasing said power amplifier integrated within said programmable output stage utilizing a digitally-controlled voltage source.

8. A system for controlling signals in a circuit, the system comprising:

one or more circuits for configuring a single programmable output stage of a transmitter to handle the transmission of a signal via one of a plurality of antennas selectively coupleable to said programmable output stage, wherein each of said plurality of antennas handles signals in a different frequency band;

said one or more circuits tunes a power amplifier in said single programmable output stage to a frequency within a range of frequencies handled by said selectively coupled one of said plurality of antennas;

said one or more circuits biases said power amplifier within said single programmable output stage based on a class of operation, said class of operation comprising class A, AB, C and F; and

said one or more circuits selectively couples one of said plurality of antennas to said single programmable output stage for said transmission of said signal.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein said one or more circuits programmably adjusts at least one of:

an inductance and a capacitance of said single programmable output stage.

10. The system according to claim 8, wherein said one or more circuits impedance matches said plurality of antennas with aid power amplifier within said single programmable output stage using transformers.

11. The system according to claim 8, wherein said one or more circuits enables said selectively coupled one of said plurality of antennas.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more circuits activates at least one integrated transistor for said enabling said selectively coupled one of said plurality of antennas.

13. The system according to claim 8, comprising one or more circuits for biasing said power amplifier integrated within said programmable output stage utilizing a digitally-controlled current source.

14. The system according to claim 8, comprising one or more circuits for biasing said power amplifier integrated within said programmable output stage utilizing a digitally-controlled voltage source.

15. A non-transitory machine-readable storage having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section for controlling signals in a circuit, the at least one code section being executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform steps comprising:

configuring a single programmable output stage of a transmitter to handle the transmission of a signal via one of a plurality of antennas selectively coupleable to said programmable output stage, wherein each of said plurality of antennas handles signals in a different frequency band;

tuning a power amplifier in said single programmable output stage to a frequency within a range of frequencies handled by said selectively coupled one of said plurality of antennas;

biasing said power amplifier within said single programmable output stage based on a class of operation, said class of operation comprising class A, AB, C and F; and

selectively coupling one of said plurality of antennas to said single programmable output stage for said transmission of said signal.

16. The machine readable storage according to claim 15, wherein said at least one code section comprises code for programmably adjusting at least one of:

an inductance and a capacitance of said single programmable output stage.

17. The machine readable storage according to claim 15, wherein said at least one code section comprises code for impedance matching said plurality of antennas with said power amplifier within said single programmable output stage using transformers.

18. The machine readable storage according to claim 15, wherein said at least one code section comprises code for enabling said selectively coupled one of said plurality of antennas.

19. The machine readable storage according to claim 18, wherein said at least one code section comprises code for activating at least one integrated transistor for said enabling said selectively coupled one of said plurality of antennas.

20. The machine readable storage according to claim 15, wherein said at least one code section comprises code for biasing said power amplifier integrated within said programmable output stage utilizing a digitally-controlled current source.

21. The machine readable storage according to claim 15, wherein said at least one code section comprises code for biasing said power amplifier integrated within said programmable output stage utilizing a digitally-controlled voltage source.