Abstract:
A system for saturation detection and compensation in a power amplifier includes a power amplifier, a closed power control loop configured to develop a power control signal (VPC), a comparator configured to receive the power control signal and a reference signal, the comparator also configured to determine whether the power amplifier is operating in a saturation mode, and power control circuitry configured to reduce the power control signal if the power amplifier is operating in a saturation mode.
Abstract:
A single continuous closed-loop power control feedback system provides seamless power control for a power amplifier and also enables an AM signal to be injected into the power amplifier through the power amplifiers' control port. The AM signal is developed by an I/Q modulator and supplied to a comparator located in the power control loop. By using leakage from the power amplifier as feedback to a phase locked loop during initial power amplifier power ramp-up, the single continuous closed-loop power control system provides continuous feedback to the phase locked loop during the entire power amplification ramp-up period and eliminates the need for multiple feedback loops.
Abstract:
A translation loop signal upconverter is disclosed. Embodiments of the invention minimize nth order harmonics and spurious tones in the radio frequency output spectrum of a portable transceiver. In one embodiment, the invention is a signal upconverter, comprising a modulator configured to develop a modulated intermediate frequency (IF) signal at a fundamental frequency, the modulated IF signal also including a plurality of nth order components, a synchronous oscillator configured to receive the modulated IF signal, the synchronous oscillator also configured to operate at the fundamental frequency of the modulated IF signal, thereby providing an IF signal substantially free of the nth order components, and a translation loop having a phase locked loop, the translation loop configured to receive the IF signal output of the synchronous oscillator, and supply a radio frequency (RF) output signal to a power amplifier.
Abstract:
This invention provides a charge pump biasing circuit that varies the bias when the phase lock loop changes frequency to improve the settling time of the phase lock loop. During a frequency change, the charge pump output current taper off as the phase lock loop approaches the desired frequency. The charge pump biasing circuit allows the phase lock loop to change frequencies faster and minimizes spurious sideband noise once the loop has settled.
Abstract:
A direct conversion receiver system is provided in which a first input signal at a first frequency is applied to a first input port of a multiplier, a second input signal at a second frequency equal to about {fraction (1/n)} times the first frequency, wherein n is an integer, is applied to a second input port of the multiplier. A first filter coupled to the first input port is configured to substantially filter out any leakage at the second frequency which may be present. A second filter coupled to the second input port is configured to substantially filter out any leakage at the first frequency which may be present. The multiplier is configured to produce a signal at an output port thereof which is derived from the product of the first and second signals. In one embodiment, the output is representative of the product of the filtered first signal and a multiplication factor which switches at n times the second frequency. The output of the multiplier is coupled to a third filter. The output signal has a baseband component and another component. The third filter is configured to substantially filter out the other component and substantially maintain the baseband component in the output signal. In one implementation example, the multiplier is a mixer initializing half-frequency injection, such that the LO frequency is about ½ the RF frequency.
Abstract:
A voltage upconverter circuit wherein a switching voltage regulator circuit is used to charge a capacitor from a battery during an idle interval of portable phone transmission and wherein the charged capacitor is thereafter switched in series with the battery voltage for supply to a load during signal transmission, resulting in a smaller, less expensive and more efficient voltage upconverter circuit.
Abstract:
The present application discloses various implementations of a mobile device including a power amplifier (PA) having a driving stage coupled to an output stage. The driving stage is configured to be selectably powered by one of a first voltage supply and a second voltage supply. The output stage is configured to be powered by the second voltage supply. The mobile device further includes a voltage supply selection switch configured to selectably power the driving stage by the second voltage supply when an output power of the PA is less than or equal to a threshold power.
Abstract:
A system for calibrating a closed power control loop includes an adder configured to inject a test signal into an adjustable element, a first peak detector configured to determine an amplitude of the injected test signal, a second peak detector configured to determine an amplitude of a return test signal, a comparator configured to determine the difference between the injected test signal and the return test signal, and a calibration engine configured to adjust the adjustable element so that the return test signal is offset from the injected test signal by a predetermined amount.
Abstract:
A transmitter adjusts a transmitted power level by modifying a control input of a variable gain amplifier. A power amplifier control system includes an envelope extractor, an error extractor, and a feed-forward multiplier. The envelope extractor receives data signal inputs and computes the envelope of the combined signal. The error extractor generates an error signal as a function of the combined signal and the output power generated by the power amplifier. The feed-forward multiplier generates a modified error signal that is responsive to a function of the gain in a feedback path. A corresponding method for controlling a power level is also disclosed. In some embodiments, a transmit chain with a power control loop is used to adjust the transmit signal power applied at an input of a variable gain amplifier. A corresponding method for adjusting the transmit signal power level is also included.
Abstract:
A controller enables the integration of a DC-DC converter in an amplitude modulation power control loop in a mobile handset. The controller includes an input conditioner and an event sensor. The input conditioner uses a peak detector to track the output of a regulator and responds to available baseband input signals. The event sensor controls a switch that connects the DC-DC converter to a battery in response to a bypass event. The controller bypasses the DC-DC-converter when a transmitter is not enabled. The DC-DC converter is enabled prior to a transmission burst. A target voltage is determined from a series of detected peak voltages from the output of the regulator. The controller commands the DC-DC converter to transition to the target voltage until the end of a transmission burst.