Switched-mode power amplifier integrally performing power combining
US6603352B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2001 |
| Grant date | Aug 5, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F2203/21172
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switched-mode power amplifier is configured for performing power amplification of a plurality of signals input thereto and integrally summing (combining) those signals. Conceptually, this is achieved by replacing the center-tapped input winding component of the transformer within a conventional, balanced-type transformer-coupled voltage switching amplifier with separate input components, one for each input signal, in similar manner to the configuration of the input components of a conventional three-port combiner (trifilar). Accordingly, the input winding of the amplifier's transformer is comprised of a plurality of series-coupled windings, one for each of the plurality of input components/signals. In one embodiment, using balanced amplifier input components comprising series-coupled center-tapped windings, the center tap of each input winding is connected to a voltage rail and each terminal end of the winding is driven by an amplifying active device (i.e. transistor) fed by the input signals for that input component. These active devices alternately switch between a low output impedance and a high output impedance whereby the resulting parallel output impedance is low. Consequen…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.