Patent US6043707A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6043707A
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Method and apparatus for operating a radio-frequency power amplifier as a variable-class linear amplifier
Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1999-01-07
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Granted: 2000-03-28
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Expires: 2019-01-07
Abstract
Abstract A variable-class linear amplifier (600, 800, 900) applies a supply type of envelope modulation to an RF power amplifier operating in or near compression at highest envelope amplitudes, and transitions gradually to an envelope tracking type of operation at intermediate envelope amplitudes. The amplifier further transitions gradually to a linear class of operation with a constant supply voltage (508) at lowest envelope amplitudes.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian Joseph Budnik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:39
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F1/00; H03F1/32; H03F1/3241; H03F1/3282; H03C; H03C5/00; H03F1/02; H03F1/0205; H03F1/0211; H03F1/0216; H03F1/0222; H03F1/0233; H03F1/0261; H03F1/30; H03F1/303; H03F1/304; H03F1/3247; H03F3/00; H03F3/20; H03F3/24; H03F2200/00; H03F2200/102; H03F2200/504; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/02; H04B1/04; H04B2001/0408; H04B2001/045
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of operating a radio-frequency (RF) power amplifier as a variable-class linear amplifier, the method comprising the steps of: applying an envelope supply type of modulation at highest envelope amplitudes, to develop an output signal; transitioning gradually to an envelope tracking type of operation at intermediate envelope amplitudes; and further transitioning gradually to a linear class of operation with a constant supply voltage at lowest envelope amplitudes.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of operating a radio-frequency (RF) power amplifier as a variable-class linear amplifier, the method comprising the steps of: applying an envelope supply type of modulation at highest envelope amplitudes, to develop an output signal; transitioning gradually to an envelope tracking type of operation at intermediate envelope amplitudes; and further transitioning gradually to a linear class of operation with a constant supply voltage at lowest envelope amplitudes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of continuously applying both feedback and predistortion linearity correction techniques.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of employing feedback to correct both amplitude and phase errors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of predistorting at least one of an RF signal and a supply modulation signal in response to amplifier temperature information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing feedback to both a forward RF path and a modulated supply path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing variable relative amounts of linearization correction feedback to a modulated supply path and to a forward RF path, dependent upon a degree to which the RF power amplifier is driven into compression by the forward RF path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
A variable-class linear radio-frequency (RF) power amplifier, comprising: supply modulation means for applying an envelope supply type of modulation at highest envelope amplitudes, to develop an output signal; envelope tracking means coupled to the supply modulation means for transitioning gradually to an envelope tracking type of operation at intermediate envelope amplitudes; and linear operation means coupled to the supply modulation means for further transitioning gradually to a linear class of operation with a constant supply voltage at lowest envelope amplitudes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
A variable-class linear radio-frequency (RF) power amplifier, comprising: supply modulation means for applying an envelope supply type of modulation at highest envelope amplitudes, to develop an output signal; envelope tracking means coupled to the supply modulation means for transitioning gradually to an envelope tracking type of operation at intermediate envelope amplitudes; and linear operation means coupled to the supply modulation means for further transitioning gradually to a linear class of operation with a constant supply voltage at lowest envelope amplitudes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The RF power amplifier of claim 7, further comprising linearity correction means coupled to the supply modulation means for continuously applying both feedback and predistortion linearity correction techniques.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The RF power amplifier of claim 7, further comprising feedback means coupled to the supply modulation means and coupled to a forward RF path for employing feedback to correct both amplitude and phase errors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The RF power amplifier of claim 7, further comprising predistortion means coupled to power amplifier temperature sensor means for predistorting at least one of an RF signal and a supply modulation signal in response to amplifier temperature information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The RF power amplifier of claim 7, further comprising dual feedback means for providing feedback to both a forward RF path and a modulated supply path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The RF power amplifier of claim 7, further comprising attenuator means for providing variable relative amounts of linearization correction feedback to a modulated supply path and to a forward RF path, dependent upon a degree to which the RF power amplifier is driven into compression by the forward RF path.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of operating a radio-frequency (RF) power amplifier as a variable-class linear amplifier, the method comprising the steps of: coupling a composite RF signal to an input of the RF power amplifier, the signal having an envelope amplitude which varies with time; forming a modulation waveform whose amplitude is substantially proportional to said envelope amplitude when said envelope amplitude is greater than a predetermined level, and whose amplitude transitions to a predetermined constant amplitude when said envelope amplitude is not greater than the predetermined level; and driving a supply input of the RF power amplifier with the modulation waveform, thereby operating the RF power amplifier in a mode selected from a group of modes, including an envelope supply modulation mode, an envelope tracking mode, and a linear mode, the mode determined by the envelope amplitude.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of operating a radio-frequency (RF) power amplifier as a variable-class linear amplifier, the method comprising the steps of: coupling a composite RF signal to an input of the RF power amplifier, the signal having an envelope amplitude which varies with time; forming a modulation waveform whose amplitude is substantially proportional to said envelope amplitude when said envelope amplitude is greater than a predetermined level, and whose amplitude transitions to a predetermined constant amplitude when said envelope amplitude is not greater than the predetermined level; and driving a supply input of the RF power amplifier with the modulation waveform, thereby operating the RF power amplifier in a mode selected from a group of modes, including an envelope supply modulation mode, an envelope tracking mode, and a linear mode, the mode determined by the envelope amplitude.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of continuously applying both feedback and predistortion linearity correction techniques.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of employing feedback to correct both amplitude and phase errors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of predistorting at least one of an RF signal and a supply modulation signal in response to amplifier temperature information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing feedback to both a forward RF path and a modulated supply path.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of providing variable relative amounts of linearization correction feedback to a modulated supply path and to a forward RF path, dependent upon a degree to which the RF power amplifier is driven into compression by the forward RF path.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-28 | 2003-09-27 | 2004-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-28 | 2007-09-27 | 2008-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-28 | 2011-09-27 | 2012-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |