Power detectors with enhanced dynamic range
AssigneeSkyworks Solutions, Inc.
InventorLui Lam
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for power detection with enhanced dynamic range are provided. In certain embodiments, a front end system includes a power amplifier that amplifies a radio frequency (RF) input signal to generate an RF output signal, a directional coupler that generates a sensed RF signal based on sensing the RF output signal from the power amplifier, and a power detector that processes the sensed RF signal to generate a detection signal indicating an output power of the power amplifier. Additionally, the power detector includes two or more detection paths providing different amounts of gain to the sensed RF signal from the directional coupler.
Claims20
A mobile device comprising:
- a transceiver configured to generate a radio frequency transmit signal;
- and
- a front end system including a power amplifier configured to amplify the radio frequency transmit signal, a directional coupler configured to generate a sensed radio frequency signal based on sensing the radio frequency transmit signal amplified by the power amplifier, and a power detector configured to process the sensed radio frequency signal to generate a detection signal indicating an output power of the power amplifier, the power detector including an amplifier and a bypass switch connected between an input of the amplifier and an output of the amplifier, the bypass switch selectively activated based on a transmit power of the power amplifier.
A front end system comprising:
- a power amplifier configured to amplify a radio frequency transmit signal;
- a directional coupler configured to generate a sensed radio frequency signal based on sensing the radio frequency transmit signal amplified by the power amplifier;
- and
- a power detector configured to process the sensed radio frequency signal to generate a detection signal indicating an output power of the power amplifier, the power detector including an amplifier and a bypass switch connected between an input of the amplifier and an output of the amplifier, the bypass switch selectively activated based on a transmit power of the power amplifier.
A method of transmit power detection, the method comprising:
- amplifying a radio frequency transmit signal using a power amplifier;
- generating a sensed radio frequency signal based on sensing the radio frequency transmit signal after amplification by the power amplifier using a directional coupler;
- processing the sensed radio frequency signal to generate a detection signal indicating an output power of the power amplifier using a power detector that includes an amplifier and a bypass switch connected between an input of the amplifier and an output of the amplifier;
- and
- selectively activating the bypass switch based on a transmit power of the power amplifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.