Multiple-state, switch-mode power amplifier systems and methods of their operation
US9369089B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jun 14, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F2203/21142
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An embodiment of an amplifier includes N (N>1) switch-mode power amplifier (SMPA) branches. Each SMPA branch includes two drive signal inputs and one SMPA branch output. A module coupled to the amplifier samples an input RF signal, and produces combinations of drive signals based on the samples. When an SMPA branch receives a first combination of drive signals, it produces an output signal at one voltage level. Conversely, when the SMPA branch receives a different second combination of drive signals, it produces the output signal at another voltage level. At least two of the SMPA branches produce output signals having different absolute magnitudes. A combiner combines the output signals from all of the SMPA branches to produce a combined output signal that may have, at any given time, one of 2*N+1 quantization states.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.