Methods and apparatuses for ruggedizing a power amplifier against breakdown using harmonic tuning

An apparatus for amplifying power, the apparatus comprising:

• a power amplifier configured to amplify an input signal having a frequency to produce a radio frequency (RF) output signal at an output;
• and
• a harmonic tuning circuit located in a choke path of the power amplifier, the harmonic tuning circuit coupled between a power supply and the power amplifier output, the harmonic tuning circuit configured to reduce a current or voltage provided to the power amplifier via a resonance at one or more harmonics of the frequency of the input signal by presenting a harmonic impedance between an open and short to the power amplifier using a parallel resonance circuit of the harmonic tuning circuit formed using an inductor and a shunt capacitor.

An apparatus for amplifying power, the apparatus comprising:

• means for amplifying a first signal having a frequency;
• and
• means for reducing an amount of current or voltage at one or more harmonics of the frequency provided to the means for amplifying by presenting a harmonic impedance between an open and short to the means for amplifying using a parallel resonance circuit of the means for reducing formed using an inductor and a shunt capacitor, the means for reducing the amount of current or voltage being located in a choke path of the means for amplifying and coupled between a supply line and the means for amplifying.