Method and apparatus for sensing operating temperature in a power amplifier
OwnerTapio Kuiriinventor
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for sensing the operational temperature of a power amplifier within a mobile telephone is disclosed. A sensor circuit is connected to sense the voltage at the input of the bias current supply to the power amplifier. This voltage being indicative of the voltage drop over the biased transistor of the power amplifier will also be indicative of the operating temperature of the power amplifier.
Claims15
A sensor system for obtaining the operating temperature of a power amplifier of a radio telephone, said power amplifier having at least one transistor, said sensor system comprising:
- a bias supply circuit connected to the power amplifier for supplying a bias current to said power amplifier;
- a monitor connected to the power amplifier at the input of the bias supply circuit for sensing a voltage indicative of the voltage drop across said transistor;
- and
- a processor for generating a signal indicative of the operating temperature of said power amplifier in response to the sensed voltage.
A transceiver for a radio telephone for sending and receiving radio signals within a communication network, said transceiver comprising:
- a power amplifier connected as part of said transceiver for amplifying said radio signals for transmission, said amplifier having at least one component with a transistor;
- a bias supply circuit connected to the power amplifier for supplying a bias current to said power amplifier;
- a monitor connected to the power amplifier at the input of the bias supply circuit for sensing a voltage indicative of the voltage drop across said transistor;
- and
- a processor for generating a signal indicative of the operating temperature of said power amplifier in response to the sensed voltage.
In a radio telephone having a transceiver for sending and receiving radio signals within a communication network and a power amplifier connected as part of said transceiver for amplifying said radio signals for transmission, said amplifier having at least one component with a transistor, a method of obtaining the operating temperature of the power amplifier comprising the steps of:
- supplying a bias current to said power amplifier;
- sensing a voltage at the bias current supply input to said power amplifier, indicative of the voltage drop across said transistor;
- generating a signal indicative of the operating temperature of said power amplifier in response to the sensed voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.