Power limiting for amplifiers
AssigneeCirrus Logic, Inc.
InventorsKemal S. Demirci, Tian Zhao, Jeffrey A. May, Theodore M. Burk, Thomas H. Hoff, Edward M. Veeser
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This application relates to methods and apparatus for power limiting for amplifiers. An amplifier is configured to receive an input supply voltage and to draw, in use, an amplifier input current resulting in an amplifier input power. A power limiter is configured to monitor an indication of the amplifier input power, determine a first signal limit based on said indication of the amplifier input power and a pre-set limit and apply regulation to the input signal to provide a regulated input signal for input to the amplifier that does not exceed the first signal limit.
Claims20
An amplifier apparatus for outputting an output signal based on an input signal comprising:
- an amplifier configured to receive an input supply voltage and to draw, in use, an amplifier input current resulting in an amplifier input power;
- and
- a power limiter configured to:
- monitor an indication of the amplifier input power;
- determine a first signal limit based on said indication of the amplifier input power and a pre-set limit;
- and
- apply regulation to the input signal to provide a regulated input signal for input to the amplifier that does not exceed the first signal limit.
An amplifier apparatus for outputting an output signal based on an input signal comprising:
- an amplifier configured to receive an input supply voltage and to draw, in use, an amplifier input current resulting in an amplifier input power;
- and
- a power limiter configured to:
- monitor an indication of the amplifier input power;
- determine a first signal limit based on at least one of a pre-set limit of amplifier input current and a pre-set limit of amplifier input power and also based on an indication of the input supply voltage and one or more parameters of the set of load impedance, amplifier efficiency and temperature;
- and
- apply regulation to the input signal to provide a regulated input signal for input to the amplifier that does not exceed the first signal limit.
A method for signal-based limiting of output power for an amplifier comprising:
- monitoring an indication of an input supply voltage for the amplifier and an indication of an amplifier input current drawn in use;
- determining a first signal limit based on at least one of a pre-set limit of amplifier input current and a pre-set limit of amplifier input power and at least one of said indication of the input supply voltage and said indication of the amplifier input current;
- and
- regulating an input signal to provide a regulated input signal for input to the amplifier that does not exceed the first signal limit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.