Patent classifications
H03F3/213
VARIABLE-PHASE AMPLIFIER CIRCUITS AND DEVICES
Variable-phase amplifier circuits and devices. In some embodiments, an amplifier can include a variable-gain stage having a plurality of switchable amplification branches, with each being capable of being activated, such that a combination of one or more activated amplification branches provides respective gain level and phase shift. The plurality of switchable amplification branches can be configured such that the phase shift provided by each combination of one or more activated amplification branches compensates for a phase shift associated with the amplifier operating with the respective gain level of the variable-gain stage.
Selecting between boosted supply and battery supply
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for generating an envelope tracking power supply voltage. For example, certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an envelope tracking power supply having a linear amplifier having an output coupled to a power supply node of an amplifier, wherein a power supply node of the linear amplifier is coupled to a first voltage supply node. The envelope tracking power supply may also include a switch mode power supply having an output coupled to the power supply node of the amplifier. Certain aspects also include a circuit having a first switch coupled to the first voltage supply node and a second switch coupled to a second voltage supply node, wherein a power supply node of the switch mode power supply is coupled to the first switch and the second switch.
Selecting between boosted supply and battery supply
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for generating an envelope tracking power supply voltage. For example, certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an envelope tracking power supply having a linear amplifier having an output coupled to a power supply node of an amplifier, wherein a power supply node of the linear amplifier is coupled to a first voltage supply node. The envelope tracking power supply may also include a switch mode power supply having an output coupled to the power supply node of the amplifier. Certain aspects also include a circuit having a first switch coupled to the first voltage supply node and a second switch coupled to a second voltage supply node, wherein a power supply node of the switch mode power supply is coupled to the first switch and the second switch.
Spatial power-combining devices with segmented waveguides and antennas
Spatial power-combining devices and antenna assemblies for spatial power-combining devices are disclosed. The disclosure relates to spatial power-combining devices with segmented waveguides and antennas. The spatial power-combining devices may be designed for high efficiency, high or low frequency ranges, ultra-wide bandwidth operation, and high output power. A spatial power-combining device may include a plurality of amplifiers, an output center waveguide including an output inner housing and an output outer housing, and an output coaxial waveguide. The output center waveguide may form a plurality of output center waveguide segments that are discontinuous with each other. Each output center waveguide segment may include a different portion of the output inner housing and the output outer housing. An antenna for a spatial power-combining device may include a plurality of antenna segments, each of which includes a different portion of a signal conductor and a ground conductor of the antenna.
Spatial power-combining devices with segmented waveguides and antennas
Spatial power-combining devices and antenna assemblies for spatial power-combining devices are disclosed. The disclosure relates to spatial power-combining devices with segmented waveguides and antennas. The spatial power-combining devices may be designed for high efficiency, high or low frequency ranges, ultra-wide bandwidth operation, and high output power. A spatial power-combining device may include a plurality of amplifiers, an output center waveguide including an output inner housing and an output outer housing, and an output coaxial waveguide. The output center waveguide may form a plurality of output center waveguide segments that are discontinuous with each other. Each output center waveguide segment may include a different portion of the output inner housing and the output outer housing. An antenna for a spatial power-combining device may include a plurality of antenna segments, each of which includes a different portion of a signal conductor and a ground conductor of the antenna.
Multi-mode stacked amplifier
Aspects of this disclosure relate to an amplification circuit that includes a stacked amplifier and a bias circuit. The stacked amplifier includes at least a first transistor and a second transistor in series with each other. The stacked amplifier is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. The bias circuit is configured to bias the second transistor to a linear region of operation in the first mode and to bias the second transistor as a switch in the second mode. In certain embodiments, the amplification circuit can be a power amplifier stage configured to receive a supply voltage that has a different voltage level in the first mode than in the second mode.
Multi-mode stacked amplifier
Aspects of this disclosure relate to an amplification circuit that includes a stacked amplifier and a bias circuit. The stacked amplifier includes at least a first transistor and a second transistor in series with each other. The stacked amplifier is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode. The bias circuit is configured to bias the second transistor to a linear region of operation in the first mode and to bias the second transistor as a switch in the second mode. In certain embodiments, the amplification circuit can be a power amplifier stage configured to receive a supply voltage that has a different voltage level in the first mode than in the second mode.
MULTIPLE-PATH RF AMPLIFIERS WITH ANGULARLY OFFSET SIGNAL PATH DIRECTIONS, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF
A Doherty amplifier module includes a substrate, an RF signal splitter, a carrier amplifier die, and first and second peaking amplifier dies. The RF signal splitter divides an input RF signal into first, second, and third input RF signals, and conveys the input RF signals to splitter output terminals. The carrier amplifier die includes one or more first power transistors configured to amplify, along a carrier signal path, the first input RF signal to produce an amplified first RF signal. The peaking amplifier dies each include one or more additional power transistors configured to amplify, along first and second peaking signal paths, the second and third input RF signals to produce amplified second and third RF signals. The dies are coupled to the substrate so that the RF signal paths through the carrier and one or more of the peaking amplifier dies extend in substantially different (e.g., orthogonal) directions.
MULTIPLE-PATH RF AMPLIFIERS WITH ANGULARLY OFFSET SIGNAL PATH DIRECTIONS, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF
A Doherty amplifier module includes a substrate, an RF signal splitter, a carrier amplifier die, and first and second peaking amplifier dies. The RF signal splitter divides an input RF signal into first, second, and third input RF signals, and conveys the input RF signals to splitter output terminals. The carrier amplifier die includes one or more first power transistors configured to amplify, along a carrier signal path, the first input RF signal to produce an amplified first RF signal. The peaking amplifier dies each include one or more additional power transistors configured to amplify, along first and second peaking signal paths, the second and third input RF signals to produce amplified second and third RF signals. The dies are coupled to the substrate so that the RF signal paths through the carrier and one or more of the peaking amplifier dies extend in substantially different (e.g., orthogonal) directions.
Method and system for crest factor reduction
Methods and systems for crest factor reduction may comprise generating an original waveform, generating a distortion signal by reducing a crest factor of the original waveform, generating an error signal by subtracting out the original waveform from the distortion signal, and generating a conditioned waveform by adding the error signal to the original waveform. The crest factor of the original waveform may be reduced based on spectral mask requirements. The crest factor of the original waveform may be reduced using a limiter. The power amplifier may comprise a programmable gain amplifier (PGA). The distortion signal may be generated based on a PGA model and/or a predistortion model. A signal from an output of the PA may be fed back to the PGA model. The PGA model may be dynamically configured. The crest factor of the original waveform may be reduced in an analog domain and/or a digital domain.