US7157966B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-mode power amplifier
Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries LLC
•
Filing: 2004-12-17
•
Granted: 2007-01-02
•
Expires: 2024-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A power amplifier includes an input network, output stages, coupled in parallel and configured to output power optimally in corresponding power-ranges, the output stages coupled to the input network, an output impedance matching network, coupled to the output stages and not containing a switching element, and a bias-control network, coupled between the output impedance matching network, the input network, and the output stages. In some amplifiers the output impedance matching network does not contain a switching element corresponding to the output stage configured to output power in the highest range. In other amplifiers the bias-control network is configured to isolate output stages by providing a hard shut-off to transistors of the isolated output stages.
Inventors
- 👤 Atiqul Baree
- 👤 Gary Hau
- 👤 Mikhail Shirokov
- 👤 James A. Roche, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:09
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F3/00; H03F3/72; H03F1/00; H03F1/02; H03F1/0205; H03F1/0261; H03F1/0277; H03F1/08; H03F1/14; H03F3/20; H03F3/21; H03F3/211
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A power amplifier comprising: an input network; output stages, coupled in parallel and configured to output power optimally in corresponding power-ranges, the output stages coupled to the input network; an output impedance matching network, coupled to the output stages and not containing a switching element; and a bias-control network, coupled between the output impedance matching network, the input network, and the output stages; wherein individual output stages comprise output transistors, the output transistors having different sizes appropriate to output power in the power-ranges corresponding to the individual output stages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A power amplifier comprising: an input network; output stages, coupled in parallel and configured to output power optimally in corresponding power-ranges, the output stages coupled to the input network; an output impedance matching network, coupled to the output stages and not containing a switching element; and a bias-control network, coupled between the output impedance matching network, the input network, and the output stages; wherein individual output stages comprise output transistors, the output transistors having different sizes appropriate to output power in the power-ranges corresponding to the individual output stages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power amplifier of claim 1 , wherein: the output impedance matching network consists of capacitors and inductors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The power amplifier of claim 1 , wherein the bias-control network is configured: to select an output stage with a power range corresponding to the sensed output power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The power amplifier of claim 3 , wherein the bias-control network is configured: to enable an output transistor of the selected output stage by providing appropriate bias; and to isolate output transistors of the non-selected output stages by providing a hard shut-off.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power amplifier of claim 1 , the input network comprising: a single radio-frequency input circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The power amplifier of claim 1 , the input network comprising: an input matching network; and a shared first amplifier stage, coupled to the input matching network and the bias network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The power amplifier of claim 1 , further comprising: an inter-stage matching network, operable to minimize a signal-reflection between the input network and the output stages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power amplifier of claim 7 , wherein: the inter-stage matching network is operable to provide a resistive isolation between the input network and the output stages.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
A power amplifier comprising: an input network; output stages coupled in parallel and configured for outputting power optimally in corresponding ranges, the output stages coupled to the input network; an output impedance matching network, coupled to the output stages; and a bias-control network, coupled between the output impedance matching network, the input network, and the output stages; wherein the output impedance matching network does not contain a switching element for the output stage configured to output power in the highest range; wherein the output impedance matching network comprises a switching element for at least one output stage configured to output power in a range other than the highest range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
A power amplifier comprising: an input network; output stages coupled in parallel and configured for outputting power optimally in corresponding ranges, the output stages coupled to the input network; an output impedance matching network, coupled to the output stages; and a bias-control network, coupled between the output impedance matching network, the input network, and the output stages; wherein the output impedance matching network does not contain a switching element for the output stage configured to output power in the highest range; wherein the output impedance matching network comprises a switching element for at least one output stage configured to output power in a range other than the highest range.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power amplifier of claim 9 , wherein: the switching element is not coupled in series with any of the output path.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The power amplifier of claim 10 , wherein: the switching element of the output impedance matching network is different from switching elements of the bias network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power amplifier of claim 9 , wherein: the output impedance matching network comprises capacitors and inductors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power amplifier of claim 12 , wherein: the switching element is in series with a shunt capacitor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The power amplifier of claim 12 , wherein: an inductor is coupled in parallel to a shunt capacitor; and the switching element is coupled in series with the inductor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The power amplifier of claim 14 , wherein: switching of the switching element resonates out the capacitor from the output impedance matching network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power amplifier of claim 12 , wherein: an inductor is coupled into an output path; and the switching element, in series with a capacitor, is coupled in parallel to the inductor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power amplifier of claim 9 , wherein the bias-control network is configured: to sense the output power; and to select an output stage with a power range corresponding to the sensed output power.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The power amplifier of claim 17 , wherein the bias-control network is configured: to enable the output transistor of the selected output stage by providing appropriate bias; and to isolate the output transistors of the non-selected output stages by providing a hard shut-off.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
134 words
A power amplifier comprising: an input network; output stages, coupled in parallel and configured to output power optimally in corresponding power-ranges, the output stages coupled to the input network; an output impedance matching network, coupled to the output stages; and a bias-control network, coupled between the output impedance matching network, the input network, and the output stages, wherein: the bias-control network is configured to isolate output stages by providing a hard shut-off to transistors of the isolated output stages, wherein the bias-control network comprising bias circuits corresponding to output stages, the bias circuits individually comprising: a mode-control terminal; a switch, coupled to the mode control terminal; a reference voltage terminal, coupled to the switch; and a bias circuit, coupled to the switch, wherein the bias circuit controls an input of a corresponding output stage.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
134 words
A power amplifier comprising: an input network; output stages, coupled in parallel and configured to output power optimally in corresponding power-ranges, the output stages coupled to the input network; an output impedance matching network, coupled to the output stages; and a bias-control network, coupled between the output impedance matching network, the input network, and the output stages, wherein: the bias-control network is configured to isolate output stages by providing a hard shut-off to transistors of the isolated output stages, wherein the bias-control network comprising bias circuits corresponding to output stages, the bias circuits individually comprising: a mode-control terminal; a switch, coupled to the mode control terminal; a reference voltage terminal, coupled to the switch; and a bias circuit, coupled to the switch, wherein the bias circuit controls an input of a corresponding output stage.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power amplifier of claim 19 , wherein the bias-control network is configured: to sense an output power; and to select an output stage with a power range corresponding to the sensed output power.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power amplifier of claim 20 , wherein the bias-control network is configured: to enable an output transistor of the selected output stage by providing appropriate bias; and to isolate the non-selected output stages.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The power amplifier of claim 19 , wherein: the power amplifier comprises a high power range and a low power range output stage; and the bias-control network comprises a high power bias circuit and a low power bias circuit, the low power bias circuit comprising an inverter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The power amplifier of claim 19 , wherein: the bias-control network selects an output stage according a mode control voltage received at the mode control terminal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
The power amplifier of claim 23 , wherein: the output stage is selected by a mode control voltage signal comprising one of a single-bit and multi-bit signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The power amplifier of claim 19 , wherein: the switch is operable to provide the hard shut-off to the corresponding output stage.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power amplifier of claim 19 , wherein: the output impedance matching network comprises switching elements, different from switching elements of the bias-control network.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The power amplifier of claim 19 , wherein: the bias-control network is configured to reconfigure a shared first amplifier stage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5051706A
Cited
US6791407B2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2010-01-01 | 2010-07-03 | 2011-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2014-01-01 | 2014-07-03 | 2015-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2018-01-01 | 2018-07-03 | 2019-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |