Efficient, switched linear signal driver
AssigneeAdtran, Inc.
InventorDaniel M. Joffe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a switched linear amplifier for amplifying an input signal for provision to a communication medium. The switched linear amplifier includes a linear amplifier, an output current detector, and a switched inductive circuit. The linear amplifier amplifies the input signal to produce a linearly amplified signal. The output current detector is operative to detect an output current level having a magnitude greater than a predetermined threshold and provide a control signal. The switched inductive circuit is responsive to the control signal from the output current detector to provide an output current via a switched (and ideally lossless) inductive path, to provide a highly efficient means of generating a linearly amplified signal for provision to the communication medium.
Claims20
A switched linear amplifier for amplifying an input signal for provision to a communication medium, the switched linear amplifier comprising:
- a linear amplifier for amplifying the input signal to produce a linearly amplified signal;
- an output current detector coupled to the linear amplifier, the output current detector capable of detecting an output current level and providing a control signal;
- and
- a switched inductive circuit coupled to the linear amplifier and to the output current detector, the switched inductive circuit capable of responding to the control signal to provide an inductive path for providing current with the linearly amplified signal.
A switched linear amplifier for amplifying an input signal for provision to a communication medium, the switched linear amplifier comprising:
- a linear amplifier for amplifying the input signal to produce a linearly amplified signal;
- an inductor coupled to an output of the linear amplifier;
- a first current-controlled switch coupled to the linear amplifier and to the inductor;
- and
- a second current-controlled switch coupled to the linear amplifier and to the inductor.
A method for amplifying an input signal for provision to a communication medium, the method comprising:
- (a) linearly amplifying the input signal to produce a linearly amplified signal;
- (b) monitoring an output current level;
- and
- (c) when the output current level is greater than a predetermined threshold, providing an inductive path to provide current with the linearly amplified signal to the communication medium.
A switched linear amplifier for amplifying an input signal, the switched linear amplifier comprising:
- a linear amplifier for amplifying the input signal to produce a linearly amplified signal;
- and
- a switchable current source coupled to the linear amplifier, the switchable current source capable of providing current with the linearly amplified signal when a magnitude of a current level of the linear amplifier is greater than a predetermined threshold.
A switched linear amplifier for amplifying an input signal, the switched linear amplifier comprising:
- a linear amplifier for amplifying the input signal to produce a linearly amplified signal;
- a current monitor coupled to the linear amplifier, the current monitor capable of detecting a current level of the linear amplifier and providing a control signal when a magnitude of the current level is greater than a predetermined threshold;
- and
- a switchable current source coupled to the linear amplifier and to the current monitor, the switchable current source capable of responding to the control signal to provide current with the linearly amplified signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.