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US4532477A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Distortion compensation for a microwave amplifier

Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
•
Filing: 1983-12-23
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Granted: 1985-07-30
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Expires: 2003-12-23
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Abstract

Abstract Amplifier-produced distortion known as amplitude modulation to phase modulation (AM/PM) conversion is reduced through the use of GaAs FETs which are biased to generate AM/PM having an algebraic sign opposite to that generated by the amplifier. This algebraic sign reversal is accomplished by biasing the GaAs FETs so that a DC drain current ≦75% and ≧10% of the short-circuit drain current is established. In the disclosed embodiment, several GaAs FETs are cascaded in alternation with attenuators to increase the magnitude of the compensating AM/PM conversion without generating substantial amplitude modulation to amplitude modulation (AM/PM) conversion.

Inventors

  • 👤 Donald R. Green, Jr.
  • 👤 James P. Moffatt

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 10:35
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F1/00; H03F1/30; H03F1/306; H03F1/32; H03F1/3241; H03F3/00; H03F3/60; H03F3/601

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 86 words
Apparatus for use in a communication system wherein an amplifier generates distortion known as amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in an input signal, said apparatus comprising at least one GaAs field-effect transistor for receiving said signal, said transistor having gate, source and drain terminals; and means for biasing said terminals independently of said input signal so that said transistor generates amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in said signal, said conversion having an algebraic sign opposite to that generated in said signal by said amplifier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 86 words
Apparatus for use in a communication system wherein an amplifier generates distortion known as amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in an input signal, said apparatus comprising at least one GaAs field-effect transistor for receiving said signal, said transistor having gate, source and drain terminals; and means for biasing said terminals independently of said input signal so that said transistor generates amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in said signal, said conversion having an algebraic sign opposite to that generated in said signal by said amplifier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said transistors has a short-circuit drain current and said biasing means establishes a DC drain current ≦75% and ≧10% of the short-circuit drain current.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said biasing means biases each of said transistors for class A operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 8 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further including attenuators.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said attenuators are cascaded in alternation with said transistors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said attenuators reduces the drive level of an immediately succeeding one of said transistors to minimize the generation of distortion known as amplitude modulation to amplitude modulation conversion.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 82 words
A method of reducing distortion known as amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion which is generated in a signal by an amplifier, said method comprising the steps of coupling said signal to at least one GaAs field-effect transistor having gate, source, and drain terminals; and biasing said terminals independently of said signal so that said transistor generates amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in said signal, said conversion having an algebraic sign opposite to that generated in said signal by said amplifier.
Claim 9
Independent Claim 82 words
A method of reducing distortion known as amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion which is generated in a signal by an amplifier, said method comprising the steps of coupling said signal to at least one GaAs field-effect transistor having gate, source, and drain terminals; and biasing said terminals independently of said signal so that said transistor generates amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in said signal, said conversion having an algebraic sign opposite to that generated in said signal by said amplifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 7 wherein each of said transistors has a short-circuit drain current and said biasing means establishes a DC drain current ≦75% and ≧10% of the short-circuit drain current.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein each of said transistors is biased for class A operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 9 further including the step of coupling said signal through attenuators.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said attenuators are cascaded in alternation with said transistors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 36 words
The method of claim 11 wherein each of said attenuators reduces the drive level of an immediately succeeding one of said transistors to minimize the generation of distortion known as amplitude modulation to amplitude modulation conversion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 83 words
Apparatus for use in a communication system wherein an amplifier generates distortion known as amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in an input signal, said apparatus comprising at least one single gate GaAs field-effect transistor for receiving said signal, said transistor having gate, source and drain terminals; and means for biasing said terminals so that said transistor generates amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in said signal, said conversion having an algebraic sign opposite to that generated in said signal by said amplifier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 83 words
Apparatus for use in a communication system wherein an amplifier generates distortion known as amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in an input signal, said apparatus comprising at least one single gate GaAs field-effect transistor for receiving said signal, said transistor having gate, source and drain terminals; and means for biasing said terminals so that said transistor generates amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in said signal, said conversion having an algebraic sign opposite to that generated in said signal by said amplifier.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 80 words
A method of reducing distortion known as amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion which is generated in a signal by an amplifier, said method comprising the steps of coupling said signal to at least one single gate GaAs field-effect transistor having gate, source and drain terminals; and biasing said terminals so that said transistor generates amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in said signal, said conversion having an algebraic sign opposite to that generated in said signal by said amplifier.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 80 words
A method of reducing distortion known as amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion which is generated in a signal by an amplifier, said method comprising the steps of coupling said signal to at least one single gate GaAs field-effect transistor having gate, source and drain terminals; and biasing said terminals so that said transistor generates amplitude modulation to phase modulation conversion in said signal, said conversion having an algebraic sign opposite to that generated in said signal by said amplifier.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3755754A Cited
US4068186A Cited
US4283684A Cited
US4465980A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1988-07-29 1989-01-28 1989-07-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1992-07-29 1993-01-28 1993-07-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1996-07-29 1997-01-28 1997-07-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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