Digitally-scalable transformer combining power amplifier
First Claim
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1. A transformer comprising:
- a primary winding comprising;
four power amplifiers, each power amplifier comprising a first inverter, a second inverter, and a switch coupled between the two inverters;
four primary winding inductors, each primary winding inductor being disposed between two of the power amplifiers; and
a secondary winding comprising;
four secondary winding inductors, each secondary winding inductor being adjacent to one of the four primary winding inductors;
wherein the transformer;
operates at peak power when the four power amplifiers are turned on;
operates at −
6 dB back-off when two of the four power amplifiers are turned off; and
operates at −
12 dB back-off when three of the four power amplifiers are turned off.
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Abstract
A digitally configurable transformer that performs switched transformer combining is disclosed. The flexible transformer includes switches that are dynamically configurable to efficiently combine RF power from power amplifier cores to achieve different power levels. The disclosed transformer is efficient at a broad range of power levels, leading to high power output efficiency. The transformer may be part of any power amplifier design that uses the transformer for power combining.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A transformer comprising:
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a primary winding comprising; four power amplifiers, each power amplifier comprising a first inverter, a second inverter, and a switch coupled between the two inverters; four primary winding inductors, each primary winding inductor being disposed between two of the power amplifiers; and a secondary winding comprising; four secondary winding inductors, each secondary winding inductor being adjacent to one of the four primary winding inductors; wherein the transformer; operates at peak power when the four power amplifiers are turned on; operates at −
6 dB back-off when two of the four power amplifiers are turned off; andoperates at −
12 dB back-off when three of the four power amplifiers are turned off.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
wherein the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier are not adjacent to each other.
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4. The transformer of claim 1, wherein two power amplifiers are tri-stated, enabling the transformer to operate at −
- 6 dB back-off.
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5. The transformer of claim 4, wherein two power amplifiers are tri-stated by:
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disabling the two inverters of a first power amplifier while simultaneously closing the switch disposed between the two inverters; and disabling the two inverters of a second power amplifier while simultaneously closing the switch disposed between the two inverters; wherein the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier are not adjacent to each other.
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6. The transformer of claim 4, wherein a third power amplifier is grounded, enabling the transformer to operate at −
- 12 dB back-off.
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7. The transformer of claim 6, further comprising:
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a third direct current block capacitor disposed adjacent to the third power amplifier; wherein the third direct current blocking capacitor is active when the third power amplifier is grounded.
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8. The transformer of claim 4, wherein a third power amplifier is tri-stated, enabling the transformer to operate at −
- 12 dB back-off.
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9. The transformer of claim 8, wherein the third power amplifier is grounded by disabling the two inverters of the third power amplifier while simultaneously closing the switch disposed between the two inverters.
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10. A transformer comprising:
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a primary winding comprising a first power amplifier, a second power amplifier, a third power amplifier, and a fourth power amplifier, each power amplifier comprising a switch disposed between an inverter pair, the primary winding further comprising; a first inductor disposed between the first power amplifier and the second power amplifier; a second inductor disposed between the second power amplifier and the third power amplifier; a third inductor disposed between the third power amplifier and the fourth power amplifier; and a fourth inductor disposed between the fourth power amplifier and the first power amplifier; and a secondary winding comprising; a fifth inductor disposed adjacent to the first inductor; a sixth inductor disposed adjacent to the second inductor; a seventh inductor disposed adjacent to the third inductor; an eighth inductor disposed adjacent to the fourth inductor; wherein current induced in the primary winding is transferred to the secondary winding through the relative placement of the inductors; wherein the transformer; operates at peak power when all four power amplifiers are active; operates at −
6 dB back-off when two power amplifiers are disabled; andoperates at −
12 dB back-off when three power amplifiers are disabled.- View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A polar transformer comprising:
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four power amplifier sections and four inductors arranged in a circular circuit, each power amplifier being disposed between an inductor, wherein the polar transformer operates at peak power when all four power amplifier sections are active and the polar transformer operates at −
6 dB back-off when two of the four power amplifier sections are either tri-stated or grounded, the four power amplifier sections each comprising;a first power amplifier sub-section comprising first and second inverters coupled to a power source; a switch coupled between outputs of the first and second inverters; and two direct current blocking capacitors to block current from feeding back to the first and second inverters; a second power amplifier sub-section comprising; third and fourth inverters coupled to the power source; a second switch coupled between outputs of the third and fourth inverters; and two direct current blocking capacitors to block current from feeding back to the third and fourth inverters; wherein the polar transformer operates at a power between peak power and −
6 dB back-off when one or more of the power amplifier sub-sections in two of the four power amplifier sections is tri-stated. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification