Power amplifier having analog pre-distortion by adaptive degenerative feedback

An amplifier comprising:

• a pre-driver stage including a transistor having an input node for receiving an input signal, an output node for an output signal provided by the transistor and having a gain relative to the input signal, and a common node for coupling to a ground;
• an amplification stage configured to receive an input signal representative of the output signal of the pre-driver stage and to generate an amplified signal;
• and
• a pre-distortion circuit coupled to the pre-driver stage and configured to introduce a feedback response that reduces the gain when the input signal of the pre-driver stage has a power level at or below a selected level, and to disable or provide a reduced feedback response when the input signal of the pre-driver stage has a power level that exceeds the selected level, the pre-distortion circuit including a degeneration circuit that includes a resistance implemented between the common node and the ground, and an antiparallel combination of first and second diodes implemented between the common node and the ground, the first and second diodes configured to turn on when the power level of the input signal exceeds the selected level.