Power supplies for RF power amplifier

A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, the computer program comprising a program code for controlling a processor to execute a routine comprising

• measuring a battery voltage inputted to a cascade connection of a boost-type switched-mode power supply and a buck-type switched-mode power supply providing a supply voltage to a radio frequency power amplifier;
• comparing the measured battery voltage with a threshold corresponding an input supply voltage which is needed for the buck-type switched-mode power supply;
• bypassing the boost-type switched-mode power supply and coupling the battery voltage directly to the buck-type switched-mode power supply, if the measured battery voltage exceeds the needed input supply voltage;
• controlling the boost-type switched-mode power supply to raise the battery voltage to at least the needed input supply voltage, if the measured battery voltage is below the needed input supply voltage;
• controlling the buck-type switched-mode power supply to operate in one of at least two section modes according to one or more of the following:
• a mode of operation of the power amplifier, a frequency band of the power amplifier, a modulation method, and a transmission power of the power amplifier.

An apparatus, comprising

• at least one radio frequency power amplifier;
• a boost-type switched-mode power supply having an input for a battery voltage from a battery;
• a buck-type switched-mode power supply connected in cascade with the boost-type switched-mode power supply and having a supply voltage output for the radio frequency power amplifier;
• a bypass switch controllable to bypass the boost-type switched-mode power supply and to couple the battery voltage directly to the buck-type switched-mode power supply, if the battery voltage exceeds a threshold corresponding to an input supply voltage which is needed for the buck-type switched-mode power supply;
• the boost-type switched-mode power supply being controllable to raise the battery voltage to at least the needed input supply voltage, if the battery voltage is below the threshold;
• and
• the buck-type switched-mode power supply comprising at least two section modes selectable according to one or more of the following:
• a mode of operation of the power amplifier, a frequency band of the power amplifier, a modulation method, and a transmission power of the power amplifier.

A control method, comprising

• providing a cascade connection of a boost-type switched-mode power supply and a buck-type switched-mode power supply to provide a supply voltage to a radio frequency power amplifier from a battery voltage;
• controlling the boost-type switched-mode power supply to raise the battery voltage to at least an input supply voltage which is needed for the buck-type switched-mode power supply;
• controlling the buck-type switched-mode power supply to operate in one of at least two section modes according to one or more of the following:
• a mode of operation of the power amplifier, a frequency band of the power amplifier, a modulation method, and a transmission power of the power amplifier.

A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium, the computer program comprising a program code for controlling a processor to execute a routine comprising

• providing a cascade connection of a boost-type switched-mode power supply and a buck-type switched-mode power supply to provide a supply voltage to a radio frequency power amplifier from a battery voltage;
• controlling the boost-type switched-mode power supply to raise the battery voltage to at least an input supply voltage which is needed for the buck-type switched-mode power supply;
• controlling the buck-type switched-mode power supply to operate in one of at least two section modes according to one or more of the following:
• a mode of operation of the power amplifier, a frequency band of the power amplifier, a modulation method, and a transmission power of the power amplifier.

A controller comprising

• means for measuring a battery voltage inputted to a cascade connection of a boost-type switched-mode power supply and a buck-type switched-mode power supply providing a supply voltage to a radio frequency power amplifier;
• means for comparing the measured battery voltage with a threshold corresponding an input supply voltage which is needed for the buck-type switched-mode power supply;
• means for bypassing the boost-type switched-mode power supply and coupling the battery voltage directly to the buck-type switched-mode power supply, if the measured battery voltage exceeds the needed input supply voltage;
• means for controlling the boost-type switched-mode power supply to raise the battery voltage to at least the needed input supply voltage, if the measured battery voltage is below the needed input supply voltage;
• means for controlling the buck-type switched-mode power supply to operate in one of at least two section modes according to one or more of the following:
• a mode of operation of the power amplifier, a frequency band of the power amplifier, a modulation method, and a transmission power of the power amplifier.