US6300826B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for efficiently amplifying wideband envelope signals
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
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Filing: 2000-05-05
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Granted: 2001-10-09
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Expires: 2020-05-05
Abstract
Abstract Systems and methods for amplifying an RF input signal include employing a moderately power efficient wide bandwidth device, such as an AB-type amplifier, to amplify the power residing in the high frequency components of the input signal, and a highly power efficient narrow bandwidth device, such as a synchronous buck DC/DC converter, to amplify the power residing in the low frequency components of the input signal. The amplified low frequency components and high frequency components are then combined to produce an amplified replica of the RF input signal. A positive feedback loop is provided between the output of the AB-type amplifier and the input of the DC/DC converter to provide stability to the amplified RF signal. A negative feedback loop is provided between the output of the DC/DC converter and the input of the AB-type amplifier to minimize interference introduced by the DC/DC converter.
Inventors
- 👤 Lennart Mathe
- 👤 Don Kimball
- 👤 Joe Archambault
- 👤 Walter Haley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:08
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/20; H03F3/21; H03F3/217; H03F3/2171; H03F1/00; H03F1/02; H03F1/0205; H03F1/0211; H03F1/0216; H03F1/0222; H03F3/2173; H03F2200/00; H03F2200/504
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of amplifying an input signal exhibiting one or more lower frequency components and one or more higher frequency components, the method comprising: generating a first signal by amplifying the power residing in the one or more higher frequency components and the one or more lower frequency components of the input signal; sensing the first signal; generating a second signal by amplifying the power residing in the one or more lower frequency components of the sensed first signal; inversely varying the one or more lower frequency components of the first signal with the second signal; and combining the first and second signals to produce the amplified input signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of amplifying an input signal exhibiting one or more lower frequency components and one or more higher frequency components, the method comprising: generating a first signal by amplifying the power residing in the one or more higher frequency components and the one or more lower frequency components of the input signal; sensing the first signal; generating a second signal by amplifying the power residing in the one or more lower frequency components of the sensed first signal; inversely varying the one or more lower frequency components of the first signal with the second signal; and combining the first and second signals to produce the amplified input signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein a current of the first signal is sensed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: sensing the second signal; and inversely varying the second signal with the sensed first signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein a voltage of the second signal is sensed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the amplification of the first signal comprises a first power efficiency, and the amplification of the second signal comprises a second power efficiency greater than the first power efficiency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the input signal comprises a nominal bandwidth ranging from 0 MHz to 10 MHz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the low frequency components range from 0 MHz to 1 MHz, and the high frequency components range from 1 MHz to 10 MHz.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the input signal exhibits a plurality of low frequency components, and a plurality of high frequency components.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the input signal comprises an envelope signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the input signal comprises an envelope signal obtained from a CDMA signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
An amplifier circuit for amplifying an input signal, comprising: an AB-type RF amplifier having an input and an output, the input configured to receive the RF input signal; a synchronous buck DC/DC converter having an input and an output, a positive feedback loop coupled between the output of the amplifier and the input of the converter; and a resistive load coupled in parallel between the respective outputs of the amplifier and converter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
An amplifier circuit for amplifying an input signal, comprising: an AB-type RF amplifier having an input and an output, the input configured to receive the RF input signal; a synchronous buck DC/DC converter having an input and an output, a positive feedback loop coupled between the output of the amplifier and the input of the converter; and a resistive load coupled in parallel between the respective outputs of the amplifier and converter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 11 , wherein the feedback loop comprises a current sensor having an input and an output, and a pulse width modulator having an input and an output, wherein the input of the current sensor is coupled to the output of the AB-type amplifier, the output of the current sensor is coupled to the input of the pulse width modulator, and the output of the pulse width modulator is coupled to the input of the DC/DC converter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 11 , further comprising a negative feedback loop coupled between the output of the DC/DC converter and the input of the AB-type amplifier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 11 , wherein the feedback loop comprises a differential operational amplifier having an output coupled to the input of the RF amplifier, an inverting input coupled to the output of the DC/DC converter, and a noninverting input configured for receiving the RF input signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 11 , wherein the RF input signal is an envelope signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 11 , wherein the RF input signal is an envelope signal obtained from a CDMA signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
118 words
An amplifier circuit for amplifying an input signal, comprising: a dependent voltage source that operates at a first bandwidth and a first power efficiency, the voltage source configured for generating a first voltage that varies with the input signal, and a first current; a current source that operates at a second bandwidth narrower than the first bandwidth, and a second power efficiency greater than the first power efficiency, the current source configured for generating a second current that varies with the first current, and a second voltage; and a load coupled in parallel between the voltage source and current source, wherein the first voltage appears across the load, and the first and second currents flow through the load.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
118 words
An amplifier circuit for amplifying an input signal, comprising: a dependent voltage source that operates at a first bandwidth and a first power efficiency, the voltage source configured for generating a first voltage that varies with the input signal, and a first current; a current source that operates at a second bandwidth narrower than the first bandwidth, and a second power efficiency greater than the first power efficiency, the current source configured for generating a second current that varies with the first current, and a second voltage; and a load coupled in parallel between the voltage source and current source, wherein the first voltage appears across the load, and the first and second currents flow through the load.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 17 , wherein the current source includes an inductive element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 17 , wherein the first voltage inversely varies with the second voltage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 17 , wherein the first bandwidth ranges from 0 MHz to 10 MHz, and the second bandwidth ranges from 0 MHz to less than 1 MHz.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 17 , wherein the RF input signal is an envelope signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 17 , wherein the RF input signal is an envelope signal obtained from a CDMA signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 17 , wherein the voltage source is an AB-type amplifier.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The amplifier circuit of claim 17 , wherein the current source is a synchronous buck DC/DC converter.
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) | 2004-10-08 | 2005-04-09 | 2005-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-10-08 | 2009-04-09 | 2009-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-10-08 | 2013-04-09 | 2013-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |