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US 2004/0070457 A1Published application
Method and apparatus for protecting devices in an RF power amplifier
AssigneeSilicon Laboratories Inc.
InventorTimothy J. Dupuis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for use with a power amplifier for protecting active devices on the power amplifier. A peak detector is used by control circuitry to detect the presence of a peak voltage that exceeds a threshold voltage. In response to the detection of a peak voltage, the gain of the power amplifier is reduced.
Claims24
A circuit for protecting devices in an RF power amplifier comprising:
- a peak detector coupled to an output of the power amplifier for detecting peak voltages at the output of the power amplifier;
- and
- control circuitry coupled to the peak detector and to the power amplifier for controlling the gain of the power amplifier, wherein the control circuitry decreases the gain of the power amplifier when the peak detector detects a voltage above a voltage threshold.
A circuit comprising:
- an RF power amplifier having an input and an output;
- a peak detector coupled to the power amplifier for detecting a peak voltage at a node of the power amplifier;
- and
- power control circuitry coupled to the peak detector and to the power amplifier for controlling the gain of the power amplifier, wherein the power control circuitry limits the power at the output of the power amplifier when the peak detector detects a peak voltage greater than a threshold voltage.
1 more element
A method of protecting devices in an RF power amplifier comprising the steps of:
- detecting a peak voltage at a first node of the power amplifier;
- determining whether the detected peak voltage is higher than a threshold voltage;
- and
- if it is determined that the detected peak voltage is higher than the threshold voltage, decreasing the gain of the power amplifier.
1 more element
A method of controlling an RF power amplifier comprising the steps of:
- detecting the output power of the RF power amplifier;
- detecting a peak voltage at a first node of the power amplifier;
- increasing the gain of the power amplifier if the detected output power is less than a desired output power level and if the detected peak voltage does not exceed a threshold voltage;
- and
- decreasing the gain of the power amplifier if the detected output power is greater than the desired output power level or if the detected peak voltage exceeds a threshold voltage.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.