Shared linearity maintenance in power amplifiers

A system, comprising:

• a power amplifier module including
• a current sensor to sense the current drawn by the amplifier and providing a first sensor output signal dependent upon current consumption when the current exceeds a predetermined current threshold,
• a voltage sensor to sense the power output of the amplifier and produce a second sensor output signal when the RF voltage during up ramp falls below a predetermined voltage threshold, and
• a summing circuit configured to receive the first and second sensor output signals and provide a hybrid feedback signal including a combination of a power dependent contribution and either of a voltage dependent contribution or a current dependent contribution;
• and
• an automatic power controller coupled to the power amplifier module and configured to receive the hybrid feedback signal having a combination of a power dependent contribution and either of a voltage dependent contribution or a current dependent contribution.

A method comprising:

• providing a first feedback signal for an amplifier connected to drive a load, the first feedback signal providing a signal having a magnitude dependent upon the load voltage when the load voltage falls below a predetermined voltage threshold;
• providing a second feedback signal for the amplifier, the second feedback signal having a magnitude dependent upon the current drawn to power the amplifier when the current drawn exceeds a predetermined current threshold;
• and
• adding either one of the first feedback signal and second feedback signal with a power dependent contribution signal and providing the combined signal as a hybrid feedback input to the amplifier.

A method, comprising:

• sensing a dc current drawn by an amplifier configured to receive an input signal and deliver an output voltage to a load;
• sensing an output voltage delivered to the load by the amplifier;
• comparing the dc current drawn by the amplifier to a predetermined threshold current;
• comparing the output voltage to a predetermined minimum output voltage;
• providing a first feedback signal if the dc current exceeds the current threshold, the amplitude of the first feedback signal determined by the amount that the dc current exceeds the threshold current;
• providing a second feedback signal if the dc current is less than the current threshold and if the output voltage is less than a predetermined minimum output voltage, the magnitude of the second feedback signal determined by the amount that the predetermined minimum output voltage exceeds the output voltage;
• and
• adding either one of the first feedback signal and second feedback signal with a power dependent contribution signal;
• and
• generating a hybrid feedback input signal to the amplifier based on the power dependent contribution and either one of the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal.