Active electronically scanned array with power amplifier drain bias tapering for optimal power added efficiency
US11018425B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 1, 2015 |
| Grant date | May 25, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F2200/451
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method for operating a system including at least one active electronically scanned array (AESA) element incorporates drain voltage amplifier control (DRAVAC) to maintain the power amplifiers of the AESA elements at a constant gain compression level. A processor of the AESA system may dynamically program, monitor, or adjust each individual array element or component thereof. As the RF output power of the power amplifiers varies, constant gain compression is achieved by dynamically adjusting the RF input power and drain voltage to the power amplifiers. An AESA element may incorporate built-in self-test circuitry for detecting faults in the power supply to the power amplifiers as well as calibrating and calculating RF output power for a given input power by controlling the bias of a pass device serving as the amplifier current source.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.