# US 2023/0344455 A1 · Power detectors with enhanced dynamic range > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0344455 A1 - Document ID: US20230344455A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/304,163 - Filed: 2023-04-20 - Published: 2023-10-26 - Earliest claimed: 2019-07-23 - Assignees: Skyworks Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: Skyworks Solutions, Inc. - Inventors: Lui Ray Lam - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230344455A1 ## CPC - H04B 1/0458: {Arrangements for matching and coupling between power amplifier and antenna or between amplifying stages (matching circuits in general H03H)} - H03F 1/0227: {using supply converters} - H03F 1/0266: {by using a signal derived from the input signal} - H03F 3/189: High-frequency amplifiers, e.g. radio frequency amplifiers - H03F 3/24: of transmitter output stages - H03G 3/3042: {in modulators, frequency-changers, transmitters or power amplifiers} - H03F 1/36: in discharge-tube amplifiers - H03F 2200/207: A hybrid coupler being used as power measuring circuit at the output of an amplifier circuit - H03F 2200/294: the amplifier being a low noise amplifier [LNA] - H03F 2200/451: the amplifier being a radio frequency amplifier - H03F 2200/516: Some amplifier stages of an amplifier use supply voltages of different value - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H03F: AMPLIFIERS - H03G: CONTROL OF AMPLIFICATION ## Abstract Apparatus and methods for power detection with enhanced dynamic range are provided. In certain embodiments, a front end system includes a power amplifier that amplifies a radio frequency (RF) input signal to generate an RF output signal, a directional coupler that generates a sensed RF signal based on sensing the RF output signal from the power amplifier, and a power detector that processes the sensed RF signal to generate a detection signal indicating an output power of the power amplifier. Additionally, the power detector includes two or more detection paths providing different amounts of gain to the sensed RF signal from the directional coupler. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 A front end system comprising: a low noise amplifier configured to amplify a radio frequency receive signal; a power amplifier configured to amplify a radio frequency transmit signal; a directional coupler configured to generate a sensed radio frequency signal based on sensing the radio frequency transmit signal amplified by the power amplifier; and a power detector configured to process the sensed radio frequency signal to generate a detection signal indicating an output power of the power amplifier, the power detector including a first detection path bypassing the low noise amplifier and a second detection path through the low noise amplifier. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The front end system of claim 2 wherein the power detector is configured to use the second detection path during a transmit time slot of a communication link that is duplexed by time division duplexing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The front end system of claim 2 wherein the power detector further includes a rectifier, the first detection path and the second detection path each connected between the directional coupler and the rectifier. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The front end system of claim 4 wherein the power detector further includes a linear to logarithmic circuit configured to control generation of the detection signal based on a rectified signal from the rectifier. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The front end system of claim 5 further comprising a buffer connected to an output of the linear to logarithmic circuit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The front end system of claim 2 further comprising a serial interface configured to receive transmit power control data, the power detector configured to select a detection path from amongst the first detection path or the second detection path based on the transmit power control data. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The front end system of claim 2 wherein the power detector further includes a coarse power detection circuit configured to generate a coarse power detection signal indicating a power of the radio frequency transmit signal, the power detector configured to select a detection path from amongst the first detection path or the second detection path based on the coarse power detection signal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The front end system of claim 2 wherein the power detector further includes a first multi-throw switch connected to an input of the low noise amplifier, and a second multi-throw switch connected to an output of the low noise amplifier. ### Claim 10 A mobile device comprising: a transceiver configured to generate a radio frequency transmit signal; and a front end system including a low noise amplifier configured to amplify a radio frequency receive signal, a power amplifier configured to amplify the radio frequency transmit signal, a directional coupler configured to generate a sensed radio frequency signal based on sensing the radio frequency transmit signal amplified by the power amplifier, and a power detector configured to process the sensed radio frequency signal to generate a detection signal indicating an output power of the power amplifier, the power detector including a first detection path bypassing the low noise amplifier and a second detection path through the low noise amplifier. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The mobile device of claim 10 further comprising an antenna configured to receive the radio frequency receive signal and to transmit the radio frequency transmit signal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The mobile device of claim 10 wherein the power detector is configured to use the second detection path during a transmit time slot of a communication link that is duplexed by time division duplexing. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The mobile device of claim 10 wherein the power detector further includes a rectifier, the first detection path and the second detection path each connected between the directional coupler and the rectifier. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The mobile device of claim 13 wherein the power detector further includes a linear to logarithmic circuit configured to control generation of the detection signal based on a rectified signal from the rectifier. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the power detector further includes a buffer connected to an output of the linear to logarithmic circuit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The mobile device of claim 10 wherein the power detector further includes a coarse power detection circuit configured to generate a coarse power detection signal indicating a power of the radio frequency transmit signal, the power detector configured to select a detection path from amongst the first detection path or the second detection path based on the coarse power detection signal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The mobile device of claim 10 wherein the power detector further includes a first multi-throw switch connected to an input of the low noise amplifier, and a second multi-throw switch connected to an output of the low noise amplifier. ### Claim 18 A method of transmit power detection, the method comprising: amplifying a radio frequency receive signal using a low noise amplifier; amplifying a radio frequency transmit signal using a power amplifier; generating a sensed radio frequency signal based on sensing the radio frequency transmit signal from the power amplifier using a directional coupler; and processing the sensed radio frequency signal to generate a detection signal indicating an output power of the power amplifier using a power detector, the power detector including a first detection path bypassing the low noise amplifier and a second detection path through the low noise amplifier. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further comprising using the second detection path during a transmit time slot of a communication link that is duplexed by time division duplexing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further comprising receiving transmit power control data over a serial interface, and selecting a detection path from amongst the first detection path or the second detection path based on the transmit power control data. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further comprising generating a coarse power detection signal indicating a power of the radio frequency transmit signal using a coarse power detection circuit, and selecting a detection path from amongst the first detection path or the second detection path based on the coarse power detection signal.