Back to results
US 2001/0034217 A1Published application
System and method for selectively interconnecting amplifiers in a communications device
AssigneeMohy, Abdelgany F.
InventorsARAVIND LOKE, MOHY F. ABDELGANY, JAMES F. KAMKE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wireless communications device includes an amplifier module configured to amplify a signal. The amplifier module includes a serial arrangement of amplifiers. Each of the amplifiers are designed to operate with increased efficiency for different power level ranges. The amplifiers are connectable via controllable switches. A controller, in communication with the controllable switches, selectively connects the amplifiers to increase the efficiency of the amplifier module.
Claims43
A wireless communications device comprising:
- a modulator module configured to convert a baseband signal to a radio frequency signal;
- an amplifier module which receives the radio signal and generates an amplified output signal, the amplifier module comprising:
- a first amplifier with an input in communication with the radio frequency signal, the first amplifier configured to generate a first amplified signal at increased efficiency in a first operational range;
- a second amplifier with an input in communication with the output of the first amplifier, the second amplifier configured to amplify the first amplified signal at increased efficiency in a second operational range to create a second amplified signal, wherein the second operational range is different than the first amplification range;
- a third amplifier with an input in communication with the output of the second amplifier, the third amplifier configured to amplify the second amplified signal at increased efficiency in a third operational range to create a third amplified signal, wherein the third operational range is different than the first and second operational ranges;
- a first switch positioned to bypass the second amplifier;
- a second switch positioned to bypass the third amplifier;
- a bypass selector in communication with the first and second switches, the bypass selector configured to output the first, second or third amplified signal as an amplified output signal;
- and
- a control module in communication with the bypass selector, the control module configured to control the switch based on a desired operational level.
7 more elements
An amplification module comprising:
- an input for receiving an input signal;
- at least a first amplifier in communication with the input, the first amplifier configured to amplify the input signal to generate a first amplified signal at increased efficiency within a first operational range;
- a first switch in communication with the first amplifier, the first switch configured to output the first amplified signal as an amplified output signal;
- at least a second amplifier in communication with the first amplified signal, the second amplifier configured to amplify the first amplified signal to generate a second amplified signal at increased efficiency in a second operational range, wherein the second operational range is different than the first operational range;
- and
- a second switch in communication with the second amplifier, the second switch configured to output the second amplified signal as an amplified output signal.
3 more elements
An amplifier circuit comprising:
- an input for receiving an input signal;
- at least a first amplifier in communication with the input, the first amplifier comprising structure which generates a first amplified signal at increased efficiency within a first operation range;
- at least a second amplifier, the second amplifier comprising structure which amplifies the first amplified signal at increased efficiency within a second operational range to generate a second amplified signal;
- and
- at least one selector circuit in communication with the first and second amplifiers, the selector circuit configured to selectively generate an amplified output signal which comprises at least a portion of the first or second amplified signal.
2 more elements
An amplifier circuit comprising:
- a first means for amplifying an input signal to generate a first amplified signal at increased efficiency within a first operational range;
- a second means for amplifying the first amplified signal to generate a second amplified signal at increased efficiency within a second operational range;
- and
- a third means for selectively enabling the output of at least one of the first and second amplified signals.
1 more element
The method of operating a wireless communications device comprising the acts of:
- converting a baseband signal to a radio frequency signal;
- amplifying with a first amplifier, the radio frequency signal at increased efficiency in a first operational range to produce a first amplified signal;
- amplifying with a second amplifier, the first amplified signal at increased efficiency in a second operational range to produce a second amplified signal, wherein the second operational range is different than the first amplification range;
- amplifying with a third amplifier, the second amplified signal at increased efficiency in a third operational range to produce a third amplified signal, wherein the third operational range is different than the first and second operational ranges;
- and
- selectively outputting based on a desired operational level, the first, second or third amplified signals as an amplified output signal.
3 more elements
A method of amplifying an input signal comprising the acts of:
- amplifying an input signal to generate a first amplified signal at increased efficiency within a first operational range;
- amplifying the first amplified signal to generate a second amplified signal at increased efficiency in a second operational range, wherein the second operational range is different than the first operational range;
- and
- selectively enabling the output of at least one of the first and second amplified signals in response to a desired amplification level.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.