Gain compensation for power amplifiers using a temperature sensor circuit

A wireless communication device including an amplifier circuit, the amplifier circuit comprising:

• an amplifier configured to provide a radio-frequency signal;
• and
• a temperature sensor circuit, the temperature sensor circuit including
• a first transistor thermally isolated from the amplifier and being configured to sense an ambient temperature, and
• a second transistor thermally linked to the amplifier and being configured to sense a temperature at the amplifier, the temperature sensor circuit being a differential circuit having a first path and a second path with the first and second transistors being arranged on the first and second paths of the differential circuit respectively,
• the temperature sensor circuit being configured to generate an output voltage inversely proportional to a temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature at the amplifier.

A method of operating an amplifier circuit including an amplifier, the method comprising:

• sensing, by a first transistor of a temperature sensor circuit, an ambient temperature, the first transistor being thermally isolated from the amplifier;
• sensing, by a second transistor of the temperature sensor circuit, a temperature at the amplifier, the temperature sensor circuit being a differential circuit having a first path and a second path with the first and second transistors being arranged on the first and second paths of the differential circuit respectively;
• and
• generating, by the temperature sensor circuit, an output voltage inversely proportional to a temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature at the amplifier.

An amplifier circuit comprising:

• an amplifier;
• a temperature sensor circuit including
• a first transistor thermally isolated from the amplifier and being configured to sense an ambient temperature, and
• a second transistor thermally linked to the amplifier and being configured to sense a temperature at the amplifier, the temperature sensor circuit being a differential circuit having a first path and a second path with the first and second transistors being arranged on the first and second paths of the differential circuit respectively,
• the temperature sensor circuit being configured to generate an output voltage inversely proportional to a temperature difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature at the amplifier;
• and
• a third transistor coupled to the temperature sensor circuit and being configured to receive the output voltage.