RF amplifier architecture and related techniques
First Claim
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1. A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier system, comprising:
- an RF power amplifier;
a digital-to-RF modulator to generate an RF input signal for the RF power amplifier based on input information indicative of amplitude values and phase values;
a voltage control unit to provide a variable supply voltage to the RF power amplifier in response to one or more control signals, the variable supply voltage being selected from a plurality of discrete voltage levels; and
a controller to provide the input information to the digital-to-RF modulator and the one or more control signals to the voltage control unit based, at least in part, on data to be output by the RF power amplifier system;
wherein the voltage control unit includes;
an output terminal to provide an output voltage signal, the output terminal being coupled to a supply input of the RF power amplifier;
first, second, and third voltage terminals to carry first, second, and third discrete voltage levels in the plurality of discrete voltage levels, respectively;
a first switch coupled between the output terminal and the first voltage terminal;
a second switch coupled between the output terminal and a first intermediate node;
a third switch coupled between the first intermediate node and the second voltage terminal; and
a network comprising at least one switch coupled between the first intermediate node and the third voltage terminal;
wherein the controller is configured to control states of at least the second switch and the at least one switch; and
wherein the controller is configured to receive, at an input thereof, information indicative of a vector to be produced at an output of the RF power amplifier system and to generate input information for the digital-to-RF modulator to achieve the vector at the output of the RF power amplifier system when a corresponding selected discrete voltage level is being applied to the RF power amplifier, wherein the input information generated to achieve the vector can define an amplitude value that will cause the RF power amplifier to be backed off from a maximum RF output level associated with the corresponding selected discrete voltage level.
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Abstract
A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier system or transmitter includes one or more power amplifiers and a controller that is configured to adjust amplitudes and phases of RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers and supply voltages applied to the one or more power amplifiers. In embodiments where multiple power amplifiers are used, a combiner may be provided to combine outputs of the power amplifiers.
145 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier system, comprising:
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an RF power amplifier; a digital-to-RF modulator to generate an RF input signal for the RF power amplifier based on input information indicative of amplitude values and phase values; a voltage control unit to provide a variable supply voltage to the RF power amplifier in response to one or more control signals, the variable supply voltage being selected from a plurality of discrete voltage levels; and a controller to provide the input information to the digital-to-RF modulator and the one or more control signals to the voltage control unit based, at least in part, on data to be output by the RF power amplifier system; wherein the voltage control unit includes;
an output terminal to provide an output voltage signal, the output terminal being coupled to a supply input of the RF power amplifier;
first, second, and third voltage terminals to carry first, second, and third discrete voltage levels in the plurality of discrete voltage levels, respectively;
a first switch coupled between the output terminal and the first voltage terminal;
a second switch coupled between the output terminal and a first intermediate node;
a third switch coupled between the first intermediate node and the second voltage terminal; and
a network comprising at least one switch coupled between the first intermediate node and the third voltage terminal;
wherein the controller is configured to control states of at least the second switch and the at least one switch; andwherein the controller is configured to receive, at an input thereof, information indicative of a vector to be produced at an output of the RF power amplifier system and to generate input information for the digital-to-RF modulator to achieve the vector at the output of the RF power amplifier system when a corresponding selected discrete voltage level is being applied to the RF power amplifier, wherein the input information generated to achieve the vector can define an amplitude value that will cause the RF power amplifier to be backed off from a maximum RF output level associated with the corresponding selected discrete voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A machine implemented method for operating a radio frequency (RF) transmitter having a digital-to-RF modulator driving an RF power amplifier, the method comprising:
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obtaining transmit data to be transmitted from the RF transmitter; providing input information for the digital-to-RF modulator based, at least in part, on the transmit data, the input information to control an amplitude and a phase of an RF output signal of the digital-to-RF modulator; selecting a supply voltage for the RF power amplifier based, at least in part, on the transmit data, the supply voltage being selected from a plurality of discrete voltage levels, wherein the supply voltage changes with time; and providing control signals to a plurality of switches within a voltage control unit based on the changing supply voltage selection, wherein the voltage control unit includes;
an output terminal to provide an output voltage signal, the output terminal being coupled to a supply terminal of the RF power amplifier;
first, second, and third voltage terminals to carry first, second, and third discrete voltage levels in the plurality of discrete voltage levels, respectively;
a first switch coupled between the output terminal and the first voltage terminal;
a second switch coupled between the output terminal and a first intermediate node;
a third switch coupled between the first intermediate node and the second voltage terminal; and
a network comprising at least one switch coupled between the first intermediate node and the third voltage terminal, wherein providing control signals includes providing control signals to at least the second switch and the at least one switch;wherein providing input information for the digital-to-RF modulator includes receiving information representative of a vector to be transmitted from the RF transmitter and generating input information for the digital-to-RF modulator to achieve the vector at the output of the RF power amplifier when a corresponding selected discrete voltage level is being applied to the RF power amplifier, wherein the input information generated to achieve the vector can define an amplitude value that causes the RF power amplifier to be backed off from a maximum RF output level associated with the corresponding selected discrete voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification