Apparatus and methods for a low-load-modulation power amplifier are described. Low-load-modulation power amplifiers can include multiple amplifiers connected in parallel to amplify a signal that has been divided into parallel circuit branches. One of the amplifiers can operate as a main amplifier in a first amplification class and the remaining amplifiers can operate as peaking amplifiers in a second amplification class. The main amplifier can see low modulation of its load between the power amplifier's fully-on and fully backed-off states. Improvements in bandwidth and drain efficiency over conventional Doherty amplifiers are obtained.

Apparatus and methods for a low-load-modulation power amplifier are described. Low-load-modulation power amplifiers can include multiple amplifiers connected in parallel to amplify a signal that has been divided into parallel circuit branches. One of the amplifiers can operate as a main amplifier in a first amplification class and the remaining amplifiers can operate as peaking amplifiers in a second amplification class. The main amplifier can see low modulation of its load between the power amplifier's fully-on and fully backed-off states. Improvements in bandwidth and drain efficiency over conventional Doherty amplifiers are obtained.

A multi-band power amplifier module includes at least one transmission input terminal, at least one power amplifier circuit that receives a first transmission signal and a second transmission signal through the at least one transmission input terminal, a first filter circuit that allows the first transmission signal to pass therethrough, a second filter circuit that allows the second transmission signal to pass therethrough, at least one transmission output terminal through which the first and second transmission signals output from the first and second filter circuits are output, a transmission output switch that outputs each of the first and second transmission signals output from the at least one power amplifier circuit to the first filter circuit or the second filter circuit, and a first tuning circuit that adjusts impedance matching between the at least one power amplifier circuit and the at least one transmission output terminal.

A multi-band power amplifier module includes at least one transmission input terminal, at least one power amplifier circuit that receives a first transmission signal and a second transmission signal through the at least one transmission input terminal, a first filter circuit that allows the first transmission signal to pass therethrough, a second filter circuit that allows the second transmission signal to pass therethrough, at least one transmission output terminal through which the first and second transmission signals output from the first and second filter circuits are output, a transmission output switch that outputs each of the first and second transmission signals output from the at least one power amplifier circuit to the first filter circuit or the second filter circuit, and a first tuning circuit that adjusts impedance matching between the at least one power amplifier circuit and the at least one transmission output terminal.

Envelope tracking power amplifiers with advanced gain shaping are provided. In certain implementations, a power amplifier system includes a power amplifier that amplifies a radio frequency (RF) signal and an envelope tracker that controls a voltage level of a supply voltage of the power amplifier based on an envelope of the RF signal. The power amplifier system further includes a gain shaping circuit that generates a gain shaping current that changes with the voltage level of the supply voltage from the envelope tracker. For example, the gain shaping circuit can include an analog look-up table (LUT) mapping a particular voltage level of the supply voltage to a particular current level of gain shaping current. Additionally, the gain shaping circuit biases the power amplifier based on the gain shaping current.

Envelope tracking systems for power amplifiers are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an envelope tracker is provided for a power amplifier that amplifies an RF signal. The envelope tracker includes an error amplifier that controls a voltage level of a power amplifier supply voltage of the power amplifier based on amplifying a difference between a reference signal and an envelope signal indicating an envelope of the RF signal. The envelope tracker further includes a multi-level switching circuit that generates an error amplifier supply voltage based on sensing a current of the error amplifier, and uses the error amplifier supply voltage to power the error amplifier.

Aspects of the disclosure include a power amplifier comprising an input to receive an input signal, an output to provide an amplified output signal, a balun coupled between the input and the output, at least one capacitor coupled to the balun, and a controllable load coupled to the at least one capacitor.

A radio frequency (RF) transmitter includes a radiating element, a chip and a phase shifting circuit. The radiating element is arranged to receive a plurality of electrical signals to produce an RF output signal. The chip includes an amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit is configured to amplify an RF input signal to generate a plurality of amplified signals at a plurality of output terminals, respectively. The phase shifting circuit is located outside the chip, and coupled to the output terminals and the radiating element. The phase shifting circuit is arranged to phase shift the amplified signals, and accordingly generate the electrical signals fed to the radiating element. The phase shifting circuit and the radiating element are formed on a same substrate.

A radio frequency (RF) transmitter includes a radiating element, a chip and a phase shifting circuit. The radiating element is arranged to receive a plurality of electrical signals to produce an RF output signal. The chip includes an amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit is configured to amplify an RF input signal to generate a plurality of amplified signals at a plurality of output terminals, respectively. The phase shifting circuit is located outside the chip, and coupled to the output terminals and the radiating element. The phase shifting circuit is arranged to phase shift the amplified signals, and accordingly generate the electrical signals fed to the radiating element. The phase shifting circuit and the radiating element are formed on a same substrate.

A power amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier transistor, a first nonlinear element, and a current control circuit. The first amplifier transistor has a base or a gate into which a first signal is input, a collector or a drain from which a signal resulting from amplification of the first signal is output, and an emitter or a source that is grounded. The first nonlinear element is connected between the collector or the drain of the first amplifier transistor and the base or the gate of the first amplifier transistor. The current control circuit is connected between the ground and the base or the gate of the first amplifier transistor and controls current flowing through the first nonlinear element.