Distributed power amplifier
AssigneeNEC Corporation
InventorKeiichi MOTOI
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A distributed power amplifier includes a two-divider that divides an input signal into two signals, a main amplifier that amplifies one of the two signals, (N-1) dividers that divide another of the two signals into (N-1) signals, (N-1) auxiliary amplifiers that amplify (N-1) signals, and (N-1) stages of transmission lines connected in series with one another. An output end of the main amplifier is connected to an end portion on an input side of a first-stage transmission line. Output ends of the (N-1) auxiliary amplifiers are connected to end portions on an output side of the (N-1) stages of transmission lines, respectively. The (N-1) auxiliary amplifiers include an auxiliary amplifier having a maximum output voltage that is larger than maximum output power of the main amplifier.
Claims8
A distributed power amplifier comprising:
- a two-divider configured to divide an input signal to two signals;
- a main amplifier configured to amplify one of the two signals;
- (N-1) dividers configured to divide another of the two signals into (N-1) signals (N is a natural number of 3 or more);
- (N-1) auxiliary amplifiers configured to amplify the (N-1) signals, respectively;
- and
- (N-1) stages of transmission lines having different characteristic impedances from one another and being connected in series with one another, wherein
- an output end of the main amplifier is connected to an end portion on an input side of a transmission line in a first stage of the (N-1) stages of transmission lines,
- output ends of the (N-1) auxiliary amplifiers are connected to end portions on an output side of the (N-1) stages of transmission lines, respectively,
- only the main amplifier performs amplification operation when a power level of the input signal is small, and the (N-1) auxiliary amplifiers start operations at once after a power level of an output signal of the main amplifier reaches a predetermined power level, and
- the (N-1) auxiliary amplifiers include an auxiliary amplifier having maximum output power larger than maximum output power of the main amplifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.