Controlling output power of multiple-input single-output (MISO) device

• US 8,913,691 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2013
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Inventors: Sorrells, David F., Rawlins, Gregory S., Rawlins, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bocure, Tesfaldet
• Application Number:
  US13/972,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20140062574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 375/259, 375/295, 375/296, 375/297, 455/91, 455/101
• US Class Current: 375/297
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 1/0294 using vector summing of two or more constant amplitude phase-modulated signals
• CPC Class Codes: H03F 3/602 Combinations of several amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3042 in modulators, frequency-changers, transmitters or power amplifiers transmission power control in bidirectional transmission systems H04W52/04

Abstract

Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of multiple-input single-output (MISO) devices, wherein at least one MISO device from the plurality of MISO devices is selected to combine a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals;

a combining device configured to receive an output from each of the plurality of MISO devices; and

a control module configured to receive, from the combining device, the output of the at least one selected MISO device and to control an output power of the at least one selected MISO device based on the received output.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to convert an analog representation of the output from the at least one selected MISO device to a digital representation; and

a switch configured to connect an output of the combining device to the ADC.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control module is configured to control the output power of the at least one selected MISO device such that the output power is within an input range of the ADC.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the switch is configured to selectively connect the output of the combining device, a differential branch amplitude feedback signal from each of the plurality of MISO devices and a differential phase feedback signal from each of the plurality of MISO devices to the ADC.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the switch is configured to multiplex, at a predetermined cycle, the output of the combining device, the differential branch amplitude feedback signal and the differential branch phase feedback signal to the ADC.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the switch is configured to connect the output of the combining device, the differential branch amplitude feedback signal and the differential branch phase feedback signal to the ADC based on one or more requests by the control module.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of switches coupled to the plurality of MISO devices and configured to select the at least one selected MISO device from the plurality of MISO devices based on a desired transmission mode of operation.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein at least one switch from the plurality of switches is configured to provide the plurality of substantially constant envelope signals to the at least one selected MISO device.

9. A method comprising:

selecting at least one multiple-input single-output (MISO) device from a plurality of MISO devices;

combining a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals with the at least one selected MISO device;

receiving an output from each of the plurality of MISO devices; and

controlling an output power of the at least one selected MISO device based on the output of the at least one selected MISO device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

converting, with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), an analog representation of the output from the at least one selected MISO device to a digital representation; and

connecting an output of a combining device configured to receive the output from each of the plurality of MISO devices to the ADC.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the connecting comprises selectively connecting the output of the combining device, a differential branch amplitude feedback signal from each of the plurality of MISO devices and a differential phase feedback signal from each of the plurality of MISO devices to the ADC.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the selectively connecting comprises multiplexing, at a predetermined cycle, the output of the combining device, the differential branch amplitude feedback signal and the differential branch phase feedback signal to the ADC.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the selectively connecting comprises connecting the output of the combining device, the differential branch amplitude feedback signal and the differential branch phase feedback signal to the ADC based on one or more requests by the control module.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

selecting the at least one selected MISO device from the plurality of MISO devices based on a desired transmission mode of operation.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the selecting the at least one selected MISO device from the plurality of MISO devices based on the desired transmission mode of operation comprises providing the plurality of substantially constant envelope signals to the at least one selected MISO device with at least one switch from the plurality of switches.