US6064269A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power amplifier with variable input voltage source
Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1998-07-31
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Granted: 2000-05-16
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Expires: 2018-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A power amplifier circuit (10) utilizes a step-wise variable voltage source (22) to improve amplifier (14) operating efficiency. In one preferred embodiment, an input signal to the step-wise variable voltage source is obtained by observing an operating characteristic of the amplifier. In an alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention, a characteristic of the input signal driving the amplifier stage is used to form an input signal to the step-wise variable input voltage source.
Inventors
- 👤 John Stephen Ruppel
- 👤 Dale Robert Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:59
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F1/00; H03F1/02; H03F1/0205; H03F1/0211; H03F1/0216; H03F1/0222; H03F2200/00; H03F2200/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A power amplifier circuit comprising: an amplifier arranged to receive an input signal and to provide an amplified output signal, the amplifier including a direct current voltage input, the direct current voltage input being coupled to a direct current voltage source; a detector coupled to the input signal, the detector providing a characteristic of the input signal, the amplifier comprising a power amplifier stage and an intermediate amplifier stage, the detector coupled to an input of the intermediate amplifier stage; and the direct current voltage source responsive to the characteristic for providing a step-wise variable voltage to the amplifier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A power amplifier circuit comprising: an amplifier arranged to receive an input signal and to provide an amplified output signal, the amplifier including a direct current voltage input, the direct current voltage input being coupled to a direct current voltage source; a detector coupled to the input signal, the detector providing a characteristic of the input signal, the amplifier comprising a power amplifier stage and an intermediate amplifier stage, the detector coupled to an input of the intermediate amplifier stage; and the direct current voltage source responsive to the characteristic for providing a step-wise variable voltage to the amplifier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 1, the detector comprising an envelope detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 1, the input signal comprising an radio frequency signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 1, wherein the detector is coupled to an input of the power amplifier stage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 1, the detector comprising a current sense circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 5, the current sense circuit arranged to detect a load current of the amplifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 1, the step-wise variable voltage comprising two to four voltage steps.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 1, the step-wise variable voltage comprising four voltage steps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 1, the step-wise variable voltage comprising two to four evenly spaced voltage steps.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 1, the step-wise varying direct current voltage comprising two to four offset voltage steps.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 10, the offset voltage steps arranged to maximize efficiency for an radio frequency signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 1, the step-wise variable voltage including hysterisis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
95 words
A power amplifier circuit comprising: a power amplifier circuit comprising a power amplifier stage and an intermediate amplifier stage and including a radio frequency signal input, an amplified signal output and a direct current voltage input; a signal characteristic detector coupled to an input of the intermediate amplifier stage, the signal characteristic detector adapted to detect a characteristic of the radio frequency signal input and to produce a voltage control signal; and a step-wise variable voltage source responsive to the voltage control signal for providing a step-wise variable voltage to the direct current voltage input.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
A power amplifier circuit comprising: a power amplifier circuit comprising a power amplifier stage and an intermediate amplifier stage and including a radio frequency signal input, an amplified signal output and a direct current voltage input; a signal characteristic detector coupled to an input of the intermediate amplifier stage, the signal characteristic detector adapted to detect a characteristic of the radio frequency signal input and to produce a voltage control signal; and a step-wise variable voltage source responsive to the voltage control signal for providing a step-wise variable voltage to the direct current voltage input.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 13, wherein the signal characteristic detector comprises an envelope detector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The power amplifier circuit of claim 14, the step-wise variable voltage is arranged to maximize efficiency of the power amplifier for a radio frequency signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-16 | 2003-11-15 | 2004-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-16 | 2007-11-15 | 2008-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-16 | 2011-11-15 | 2012-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |