Radio frequency system hybrid power amplifier systems and methods

A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium configured to store instructions executable by one or more processors of a radio frequency system, wherein the instructions comprise instructions to:

• determine, using the one or more processors, an envelope voltage signal based at least in part on a desired output power of an amplified analog electrical signal to be wirelessly transmitted from the radio frequency system;
• communicate, using the one or more processors, the envelope voltage signal to an envelope voltage amplifier to enable the envelope voltage amplifier to output an envelope voltage based at least in part on the envelope voltage signal to a voltage supply rail;
• determine, using the one or more processors, an amplifier control signal based at least in part on the desired output power;
• communicate, using the one or more processors, a first bit of the amplifier control signal to a first amplifier unit of a plurality of amplifier units, wherein:
• the first bit enables or disables the first amplifier unit and
• the first amplifier unit comprises a first switching power amplifier electrically coupled to the voltage supply rail to enable the first amplifier unit to facilitate generating the amplified analog electrical signal when enabled;
• and
• instruct, using the one or more processors, the radio frequency system to transmit the amplified analog electrical signal.

A method for manufacturing an amplifier component used in a radio frequency system, comprising:

• forming a first amplifier unit comprising:
• forming a first logic gate configured to receive an input analog electrical signal and a first bit of an amplifier control signal that enables or disables the first amplifier unit;
• forming a first driver electrically coupled to an output of the first logic gate such that the first driver is configured to receive the input analog electrical signal when the first amplifier unit is enabled;
• and
• forming a first switching power amplifier electrically coupled to an output of the first driver and configured to be electrically coupled to a variable voltage supply rail and ground;
• and
• forming a second amplifier unit comprising:
• forming a second logic gate configured to receive the input analog electrical signal and a second bit of the amplifier control signal that enables or disables the second amplifier unit;
• forming a second driver electrically coupled to an output of the second logic gate such that the second driver is configured to receive the input analog electrical signal when the second amplifier unit is enabled;
• and
• forming a second switching power amplifier electrically coupled to an output of the second driver and configured to be electrically coupled to the variable voltage supply rail and ground;
• and
• electrically coupling an output of the first amplifier unit and an output of the second amplifier unit to enable generating an amplified analog electrical signal transmitted by the radio frequency system.

An electronic device configured to wirelessly transmit data indicated by an amplified analog electrical signal, comprising:

• a controller configured to:
• generate an envelope signal to indicate desired output power of the amplified analog electrical signal;
• and
• generate an input signal to indicate phase information of the amplified analog electrical signal;
• and
• an amplifier component communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the amplifier component comprises:
• an envelope voltage amplifier configured to supply electrical power to a variable voltage supply rail at an envelope voltage based at least in part on the envelope signal;
• a plurality of amplifier units electrically coupled in parallel between the variable voltage supply rail and ground, wherein each of the plurality of amplifier units comprises a power amplifier configured to:
• couple an output to the variable voltage supply rail when the input signal is high and enabled by an amplifier control signal;
• and
• couple the output to ground when the input signal is low or when disabled by the amplifier control signal.

A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium configured to store instructions executable by a one or more processors in an electronic device configured to wirelessly transmit an analog electrical signal, wherein the instructions comprise instructions to:

• determine, using the one or more processors, whether a desired output power of the analog electrical signal is within a first output power range;
• instruct, using the one or more processors, an amplifier component in the electronic device to generate the analog electrical signal using a first plurality of amplifier units when the desired output power is within the first output power range, wherein each of the first plurality of amplifier units each comprises a first switching power amplifier and a first driver communicatively coupled to a first input of the first switching power amplifier;
• determine, using the one or more processors, whether the desired output power is within a second output power range less than the first output power range;
• instruct, using the one or more processors, the amplifier component to generate the analog electrical signal using a second plurality of amplifier units when the desired output power is within the second output power range, wherein:
• number of amplifier units in the second plurality of amplifier units is less than number of amplifier units in the first plurality of amplifier units;
• and
• each of the second plurality of amplifier units comprises a second switching power amplifier and a second driver communicatively coupled to a second input of the first switching power amplifier.