Multi-band, multi-mode RF transmit amplifier system with separate signal paths for linear and saturated operation
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an input port for receiving an RF input signal;
a first RF amplification device having an input for being connected to the input port, having an output, and having a first gain, the first RF amplification device being configured to operate in a linear amplification mode in response to the RF input signal;
a second RF amplification device having an input for being connected to the input port, having an output, and having a second gain, the second RF amplification device being configured to operate in a linear amplification mode in response to the RF input signal;
a third RF amplification device having an input and having an output, the third RF amplification device being configured to operate in a saturated amplification mode in response to an amplified RF input signal received from one of the first and second RF amplification devices; and
a signal distribution device having an input connected to the outputs of the first and second RF amplification devices for receiving the amplified RF input signal, and having a plurality of outputs including a first output connected to the input of the third RF amplification device and one or more second outputs that are not connected to the input of the third RF amplification device, the signal distribution device being configured to selectively connect its input to one its outputs in response to a control signal;
wherein when the RF input signal is to be amplified in the saturated amplification mode by the apparatus, the control signal causes the signal distribution device to connect its input to its first output that is connected to the input of the third RF amplification device, and when the RF input signal is to be amplified in a linear mode by the apparatus, the control signal causes the signal distribution device to connect its input to one of its second outputs.
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Abstract
A device includes: an input for receiving an RF input signal having a signal format selected among a plurality of signal formats, including at least one signal format to be linearly amplified, and at least another signal format be amplified in saturation; at least a first and a second output; a first amplification path from the input to the first output that includes a first amplifier that operates in a linear amplification mode with respect to the RF input signal; a second amplification path from the input port to the second output that includes the first amplifier, and a second amplifier that operates in saturated amplification with respect to the RF input signal; and a path selection device that selectively passes the RF input signal through the first amplification path or the second amplification path in response to the selected signal format of the RF input signal.
48 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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an input port for receiving an RF input signal; a first RF amplification device having an input for being connected to the input port, having an output, and having a first gain, the first RF amplification device being configured to operate in a linear amplification mode in response to the RF input signal; a second RF amplification device having an input for being connected to the input port, having an output, and having a second gain, the second RF amplification device being configured to operate in a linear amplification mode in response to the RF input signal; a third RF amplification device having an input and having an output, the third RF amplification device being configured to operate in a saturated amplification mode in response to an amplified RF input signal received from one of the first and second RF amplification devices; and a signal distribution device having an input connected to the outputs of the first and second RF amplification devices for receiving the amplified RF input signal, and having a plurality of outputs including a first output connected to the input of the third RF amplification device and one or more second outputs that are not connected to the input of the third RF amplification device, the signal distribution device being configured to selectively connect its input to one its outputs in response to a control signal; wherein when the RF input signal is to be amplified in the saturated amplification mode by the apparatus, the control signal causes the signal distribution device to connect its input to its first output that is connected to the input of the third RF amplification device, and when the RF input signal is to be amplified in a linear mode by the apparatus, the control signal causes the signal distribution device to connect its input to one of its second outputs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A device, comprising:
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an input port for receiving an RF input signal having a signal format selected from among a plurality of signal formats, wherein the signal formats include a plurality of linear amplification signal formats for linear amplification by the device, and at least one saturated amplification signal format to be amplified in saturation by the device; at least a first output and a second output; a first amplification path from the input port to the first output that includes one or more first RF amplifiers that operate in a linear amplification mode with respect to the RF input signal; a second amplification path from the input port to the second output that includes at least one of the first RF amplifiers, and at least a second RF amplifier that operates in a saturated amplification mode with respect to the RF input signal; and a path selection device configured to selectively pass the RF input signal through the first amplification path when the signal format of the RF input signal is one of the linear amplification signal formats, and to selectively pass the RF input signal through the second amplification path when the signal format of the RF input signal is the saturated amplification signal format. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A device, comprising:
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an input port for receiving an RF input signal having a signal fort at selected from among a plurality of signal formats, wherein the signal formats include a plurality of linear amplification signal formats for linear amplification by the device, and at least one saturated amplification signal format to be amplified in saturation by the device; at least a first output and a second output; a first amplification path from the input port to the first output that includes one or more first RF amplifiers that operate in a linear amplification mode with respect to the RF input signal; a second amplification path from the input port to the second output that includes at least one of the first RF amplifiers, and at least a second RF amplifier that operates in a saturated amplification mode with respect to the RF input signal; and a path selection device configured to selectively pass the RF input signal through the first amplification path when the signal format of the RF input signal is one of the linear amplification signal formats, and to selectively pass the RF input signal through the second amplification path when the signal format of the RF input signal is the saturated. amplification signal format, wherein the first amplification path includes two RF amplifiers connected in series in a signal path between the input port and the path selection device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification