Patent EP0630104A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0630104A2
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EP
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Microwave Doherty amplifier
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1994-06-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-06-01
Abstract
Abstract An improved Doherty amplifier (70) for operation at microwave frequencies uses microstrip circuit technology and gallium arsenide amplifying devices (48,50) to achieve greater efficiency and linearity. An input quadrature hybrid network (42) divides the input power equally between a carrier amplifier device (48) and a peak amplifier device (50) with a quarter-wave delay at the input to the peak amplifier insuring that the output power of the two amplifier devices (48,50) will be in phase at the load. A three-port network combines the phase delayed carrier amplifier device output with the output of the peak amplifier device. The outputs of the two amplifier devices (48,50) are connected together by a quarter wave transmission line (64) of impedance R. A load of one-half the optimum load (R/2) is attached to the output of the peak amplifier device (50). A quarter-wave line section (66) provides the transition from R/2 to the desired impedance, R. When the peak amplifier device (50) is off, its output impedance is infinite and the output power of the carrier amplifier device (48) is delivered entirely to the load. As the peak amplifier device (50) becomes more active, it delivers more of its output power to the load while its output current gradually reduces the effective load impedance seen by the carrier amplifier device (48) thus allowing it to deliver more power. In this way the microwave Doherty amplifier (70) allows 6 dB of linear power amplification beyond the point where a normal Class "B" amplifier begins to saturate and the microwave amplifier efficiency remains close to the maximum attainable linear efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Mcmorrow
- 👤 David M. Upton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:27
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/60; H03F3/602; H03F1/00; H03F1/02; H03F1/0205; H03F1/0288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A microwave frequency amplifier comprising: means coupled to an input signal for producing a phase quadrature relationship over a broad-band between a first output signal and a second output signal from said phase quadrature producing means; carrier amplifier means for amplifying said first output signal from said phase quadrature producing means; peak amplifier means for amplifying said second output signal from said phase quadrature producing means; distributed line means coupled between an output of said carrier amplifier means and an output of said peak amplifier means for controlling the phase of said output of said carrier amplifier means relative to the output of said peak amplifier means whereby said carrier amplifier means output and said peak amplifier means output combine in additive phase, and said distributed line means further provides impedance transforming action to an apparent load presented to said carrier amplifier means as a function of the degree of conduction of said peak amplifying means; and means coupled to said phase controlling means and said output of said peak amplifier means for producing a predetermined output impedance of said microwave frequency amplifier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 1 wherein: said microwave frequency amplifier operates over a plurality of microwave frequencies including 1300 MHz.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 1 wherein: said input signal comprises multi-carrier signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 1 wherein: said input signal comprises a continuous single carrier that varies in amplitude.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 1 wherein: said input signal comprises a multi-carrier signal with each carrier signal varying in amplitude.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 1 wherein: said carrier amplifier means comprises a gallium arsenide semiconductor device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 1 wherein: said peak amplifier means comprises a gallium arsenide semiconductor device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 1 wherein: said distributed line means comprises a quarter-wave transformer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 1 wherein: said degree of conduction of said peak amplifier means is determined by an input drive level of said second output signal from said phase quadrature producing means relative to a predetermined control input applied to said peak amplifier means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
298 words
A microwave frequency amplifier comprising: means coupled to an input signal for producing a phase quadrature relationship over a broad-band between a first output signal and a second output signal from said phase quadrature producing means; means for amplifying said first output signal; first means coupled between said first output signal and said first output signal amplifying means for matching the impedance at the input of said first output signal amplifying means to the output impedance of said first output signal; means for amplifying said second output signal; second means coupled between said.second output signal and said second output signal amplifying means for matching the impedance at the input of said second output signal amplifying means to the output impedance of said second output signal; means coupled to said first matching means for biasing a control input of said first output signal amplifying means; means coupled to said second matching means for biasing a control input of said second output signal amplifying means; distributed line means coupled between an output of said first output signal amplifying means and an output of said second output signal amplifying means for controlling the phase of said output of said first output signal amplifying means relative to said output of said second output signal amplifying means whereby said first output signal amplifying means output and said second output signal amplifying means output combine in additive phase, and said distributed line means further provides impedance transforming action to an apparent load presented to said first output signal amplifying means as a function of the degree of conduction of said second output signal amplifying means; and means coupled to said phase controlling means and said output of said second output signal amplifying means for producing a predetermined output impedance of said microwave frequency amplifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 wherein: said distributed line means comprises a quarter-wave transformer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 wherein: said predetermined output impedance producing means comprises a transmission line connected to a quarter-wave transformer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 wherein said first matching means and said second matching means each comprises a transmission line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 wherein said biasing means comprises a bias tee.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 wherein: said predetermined output impedance producing means comprises means for providing an operational voltage source for said first output signal amplifying means and said second output signal amplifying means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
343 words
A microwave frequency amplifier comprising: means coupled to an input signal for producing a phase quadrature relationship over a broad-band between a first output signal and a second output signal from said phase quadrature producing means; means for amplifying said first output signal; first means coupled between said first output signal and said first output signal amplifying means for matching the impedance at the input of said first output signal amplifying means to the output impedance of said first output signal; means for amplifying said second output signal; second means coupled between said second output signal and said second output signal amplifying means for matching the impedance at the input of said second output signal amplifying means to the output impedance of said second output signal; means coupled to said first matching means for biasing a control input of said first output signal amplifying means; means coupled to said second matching means for biasing a control input of said second output signal amplifying means; distributed line means coupled between an output of said first output signal amplifying means and an output of said second output signal amplifying means for controlling the phase of said output of said first output signal amplifying means relative to the output of said second output signal amplifying means whereby said first output signal amplifying means output and said second output signal amplifying means output combine in additive phase and said distributed line means further provides impedance transforming action to an apparent load presented to said first output signal amplifying means as a function of the degree of conduction of said second output signal amplifying means; means coupled to said phase controlling means and said output of said second output signal amplifying means for providing an output matching network; first reactive network means coupled to said first output signal amplifying means output for canceling capacitance present at said first output signal amplifying means output; and second reactive network means coupled to said second output signal amplifying means for canceling capacitance present at said second output signal amplifying means output.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
403 words
A microwave frequency amplifier comprising: means coupled to an input signal for producing a phase quadrature relationship over a broad-band between a first output signal and a second output signal from said phase quadrature producing means; means for amplifying said first output signal; first means coupled between said first output signal and said first output signal amplifying means for matching the impedance at the input of said first output signal amplifying means to the output impedance of said first output signal; means for amplifying said second output signal; second means coupled between said second output signal and said second output signal amplifying means for matching the impedance at the input of said second output signal amplifying means to the output impedance of said second output signal; means coupled to said first matching means for biasing a control input of said first output signal amplifying means; means coupled to said second matching means for biasing a control input of said second output signal amplifying means; distributed line means coupled between an output of said first output signal amplifying means and an output of said second output signal amplifying means for controlling the phase of said output of said first output signal amplifying means relative to the output of said second output signal amplifying means whereby said first output signal amplifying means output and said second output signal amplifying means output combine in additive phase and said distributed line means further provides impedance transforming action to an apparent load presented to said first output signal amplifying means as a function of the degree of conduction of said second output signal amplifying means; means coupled to said phase controlling means and said output of said second output signal amplifying means for providing an output matching network; first reactive network means coupled to said first output signal amplifying means output for canceling capacitance present at said first output signal amplifying means output; second reactive network means coupled to said second output signal amplifying means for canceling capacitance present at said second output signal amplifying means output; means coupled to said first output signal amplifying means output for providing zero impedance to a second harmonic of a design frequency at said first output signal amplifying means output; and means coupled to said second output signal amplifying means output for providing zero impedance to a second harmonic of a design frequency at said second output signal amplifying means output.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 or 16 or 17 wherein: said microwave frequency amplifier operates over a plurality of microwave frequencies including 1300 MHz.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 or 16 or 17 wherein: said input signal comprises multi-carrier signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 or 16 or 17 wherein: said input signal comprises a continuous single carrier that varies in amplitude.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 or 16 or 17 wherein: said input signal comprises a multi-carrier signal with each carrier signal varying in amplitude.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 or 16 or 17 wherein: said first output signal amplifying means comprises a gallium arsenide semiconductor device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 or 16 or 17 wherein: said second output signal amplifying means comprises a gallium arsenide semiconductor device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 16 or 17 wherein: said output matching network provides a predetermined output impedance.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 10 or 16 or 17 wherein: said degree of conduction of said second output signal amplifying means is determined by an input drive level relative to said control input applied to said second output signal amplifying means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 16 or 17 wherein said first matching means and said second matching means each comprises a band-pass network.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 16 or 17 wherein said biasing means comprises a bias voltage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 16 or 17 wherein: a voltage source for said first output signal amplifying means is coupled to said first reactive network means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The microwave frequency amplifier as recited in Claim 16 or 17 wherein: a voltage source for said second output signal amplifying means is coupled to said second reactive network means.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of operating a high efficiency microwave frequency amplifier comprising the steps of: providing a phase quadrature relationship over a broad-band between a first output signal and a second output signal from a phase quadrature producing means coupled to an input signal; amplifying said first output signal from said phase quadrature producing means with a carrier amplifier means; amplifying said second output signal from said phase quadrature producing means with a peak amplifier means; controlling the phase of said output of said carrier amplifier means relative to the output of said peak amplifier means with a distributed line means coupled between an output of said carrier amplifier and an output of said peak amplifier whereby said carrier amplifier means output and said peak amplifier means output combine in addition phase, and said distributed line means further providing impedance transforming action to an apparent load presented to said carrier amplifier means as a function of the degree of conduction of said peak amplifier means; and producing a predetermined output impedance of said microwave frequency amplifier with means coupled to said phase controlling means and said output of said peak amplifier means.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
310 words
A method of operating a microwave frequency amplifier having improved efficiency and linearity comprising the steps of: producing a phase quadrature relationship over a broad-band between a first output signal and a second output signal from a phase quadrature producing means coupled to an input signal; amplifying said first output signal; matching the impedance at the input of said first output signal amplifying means to the output impedance of said first output signal with a first matching means coupled between said first output signal and said first output signal amplifying means; amplifying said second output signal; matching the impedance at the input of said second output signal amplifying means to the output impedance of said second output signal with a second matching means coupled between said second output signal and said second output signal amplifying means; biasing a control input of said first output signal amplifying means with means coupled to said first matching means; biasing a control input of said second output signal amplifying means with means coupled to said second matching means; controlling the phase of said output of said first output signal amplifying means relative to the output of said second output signal amplifying means with a distributed line means coupled between an output of said first output signal amplifying means and an output of said second output signal amplifying means, whereby said first output signal amplifying means output and said second output signal amplifying means output combine in additive phase, and said distributed line means further providing impedance transforming action to an apparent load presented to said first output signal amplifying means as a function of the degree of conduction of said second output signal amplifying means; and producing a predetermined output impedance of said microwave frequency amplifier with means coupled to said phase controlling means and said output of said second output signal amplifying means.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
421 words
A method of operating a microwave frequency amplifier having improved efficiency and linearity comprising the steps of: producing a phase quadrature relationship over a broad-band between a first output signal and a second output signal from a phase quadrature producing means coupled to an input signal; amplifying said first output signal; matching the impedance at the input of said first output signal amplifying means to the output impedance of said first output signal with a first matching means coupled between said first output signal and said first output signal amplifying means; amplifying said second output signal; matching the impedance at the input of said second output signal amplifying means to the output impedance of said second output signal with a second matching means coupled between said second output signal and said second output signal amplifying means; biasing a control input of said first output signal amplifying means with means coupled to said first matching means; biasing a control input of said second output signal amplifying means with means coupled to said second matching means; controlling the phase of said output of said first output signal amplifying means relative to the output of said second output signal amplifying means with a distributed line means coupled between an output of said first output signal amplifying means and an output of said second output signal amplifying means, whereby said first output signal amplifying means output and said second output signal amplifying means output combine in additive phase, and said distributed line means further providing impedance transforming action to an apparent load presented to said first output signal amplifying means as a function of the degree of conduction of said second output signal amplifying means; producing a predetermined output impedance of said microwave frequency amplifier with means coupled to said phase controlling means and said output of said second output signal amplifying means canceling capacitance present at said first output signal amplifying means output with a first reactive network means coupled to said first output signal amplifying means output; canceling capacitance present at said second output signal amplifying means output with a second reactive network means coupled to said second output signal amplifying means; providing zero impedance to a second harmonic of a design frequency at said first output signal amplifying means output with means coupled to said first output signal amplifying means output; and providing zero impedance to a second harmonic of a design frequency at said second output signal amplifying means output with means coupled to said second output signal amplifying means output.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as recited in Claim 30 or 31 or 32 wherein said microwave frequency amplifier operates over a plurality of microwave frequencies including 1300 MHz.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in Claim 30 or 31 or 32 wherein said step of providing a phase quadrature relationship comprises the step of said phase quadrature producing means being coupled to an input signal having multi-carrier signals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as recited in Claim 30 or 31 or 32 wherein said step of providing a phase quadrature relationship comprises the step of said phase quadrature producing means being coupled to an input signal having a continuous single carrier that varies in amplitude.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as recited in Claim 30 or 31 or 32 wherein said step of providing a phase quadrature relationship comprises the step of said phase quadrature producing means being coupled to an input signal having a multi-carrier signal with each carrier signal varying in amplitude.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in Claim 30 or 31 or 32 wherein said step of amplifying said first output signal includes the step of operating a gallium arsenide semiconductor device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in Claim 30 or 31 or 32 wherein said step of amplifying said second output signal includes the step of operating a gallium arsenide semiconductor device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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