Abstract:
An RF power amplifier circuit and input power limiter circuits are disclosed. A power detector generates a voltage output proportional to a power level of an input signal. There is a directional coupler with a first port connected to a transmit signal input, a second port connected to the input matching network, and a third port connected to the power detector. A first power amplifier stage with an input is connected to the input matching network and an output is connected to the transmit signal output. A control circuit connected to the power detector generates a gain reduction signal based upon a comparison of the voltage output from the power detector to predefined voltage levels corresponding to specific power levels of the input signal. Overall gain of the RF power amplifier circuit is reduced based upon the gain reduction signal that adjusts the configurations of the circuit components.
Abstract:
An RF power amplifier biasing circuit has a start ramp signal input, a main current source input, an auxiliary current source input, and a circuit output. A ramp-up capacitor is connected to the auxiliary current source input. A ramp-up switch transistor is connected to the start ramp signal input and is selectively thereby to connect the auxiliary current source input to the ramp-up capacitor. A buffer stage has an input connected to the ramp-up capacitor and an output connected to the main current source input at a sum node. A minor transistor has a gate terminal corresponding to the circuit output and a source terminal connected to the sum node and to the gate terminal.
Abstract:
A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier circuit includes an input and an output. A power amplifier transistor has a first terminal connected to the input, a second terminal connected to the output, and a third terminal defined by a degeneration inductance. A first capacitor is connected to the third terminal of the power amplifier transistor, along with a negative capacitance circuit connected in series with the first capacitor. The negative capacitance and the first capacitor define a series resonance at a predefined operating frequency band, which shunts the degeneration inductance of the third terminal.