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US 6,188,277 B1Granted
Power amplifier having monitoring and circuit protection
AssigneeHarris Corporation
InventorsDmitriy Borodulin, Zhiqun Hu, Peter J. Poggi, George Cabrera, Timothy W. Dittmer, Bryce A. Robertson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power amplifier system is presented for amplifying an RF input signal. The system includes a vector modulator for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified signal. The system also includes at least one power amplifier the operation of which is monitored and the vector modulator is controlled in accordance with the monitoring.
Claims85
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- first switching means for, when closed, supplying said input signal to said modulating means;
- at least one power amplifier to receive and amplify said modified first signal;
- second switching means for, when closed, applying a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- and,
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means and said first and second switching means in accordance therewith.
3 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- first switching means for, when closed, supplying said input signal to said modulating means;
- at least one power amplifier to receive and amplify said modified first signal;
- second switching means for, when closed, applying a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means and said first and second switching means in accordance therewith, and
- wherein said modulating means varies the phase of said input signal and wherein said monitoring and controlling means includes means for applying a phase control signal to said modulating means for varying the phase of said input signal.
3 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- first switching means for, when closed, supplying said input signal to said modulating means;
- at least one power amplifier to receive and amplify said modified first signal;
- second switching means for, when closed, applying a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means and said first and second switching means in accordance therewith;
- and
- wherein said modulating means is a vector modulator for varying the phase and gain of said input signal in response to phase and gain control signals.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- first switching means for, when closed, supplying said input signal to said modulating means;
- at least one power amplifier to receive and amplify said modified first signal;
- second switching means for, when closed, applying a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means and said first and second switching means in accordance therewith;
- first power detector means for detecting said input signal and providing therefrom an average input power signal representative of the average input power thereof, and a second power detector means connected to the output of said amplifier for providing an output average power signal representative of the average output power thereof;
- and,
- wherein said monitoring and controlling means includes means for comparing said input and output average power signals and controlling said modulating means in accordance therewith.
5 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- first switching means for, when closed, supplying said input signal to said modulating means;
- at least one power amplifier to receive and amplify said modified first signal;
- second switching means for, when closed, applying a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means and said first and second switching means in accordance therewith;
- and
- detector means for detecting said input signal and providing a first peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said input signal, means for comparing said first peak power signal with a first reference signal and providing a first fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitoring and control means including means responsive to said first fault signal for controlling said amplifier in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- first switching means for, when closed, supplying said input signal to said modulating means;
- at least one power amplifier to receive and amplify said modified first signal;
- second switching means for, when closed, applying a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means and said first and second switching means in accordance therewith;
- and
- detector means for detecting the output power of said amplifier and providing a second peak power signal representative of the peak power value of said output signal, means for comparing said second peak power signal with a second reference signal and providing a second fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitoring and control means including means responsive to said second fault signal for controlling said system in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- first switching means for, when closed, supplying said input signal to said modulating means;
- at least one power amplifier to receive and amplify said modified first signal;
- second switching means for, when closed, applying a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means and said first and second switching means in accordance therewith;
- and
- detector means for detecting the reflected output power from a load associated with said amplifier and providing a third peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said reflected power, means for comparing said third peak power signal with a third reference signal and providing a third fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitoring and control means including means responsive to said third fault signal for controlling said system in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- first switching means for, when closed, supplying said input signal to said modulating means;
- at least one power amplifier to receive and amplify said modified first signal;
- second switching means for, when closed, applying a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means and said first and second switching means in accordance therewith;
- and
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier system and providing a fault signal in response to detecting a fault condition, and means responsive to said fault signal for turning said amplifier off and for thereafter turning said amplifier on and then repeating said turning off and turning on of said amplifier a plurality of times over a given time interval to determine if the detected fault condition continues after repeated turning off and turning on of said system and if so, then turning said amplifier off without turning it on again.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- first switching means for, when closed, supplying said input signal to said modulating means;
- N power amplifiers;
- divider means for dividing said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- second switching means for, when closed, applying a DC voltage source to each of said N power amplifiers;
- means for combining said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- and,
- means for monitoring the operation of said N power amplifiers and controlling said signal modulating means and said first and second switching means in accordance therewith.
5 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- at least one power amplifier for receiving and amplifying said modified first signal;
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means in accordance therewith;
- first power detector means for detecting said input signal and providing therefrom an average input power signal representative of the average input power thereof, and a second power detector means connected to the output of said amplifier for providing an output average power signal representative of the average output power thereof;
- and,
- wherein said monitoring and controlling means includes means for comparing said input and output average power signals and controlling said modulating means in accordance therewith.
3 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- at least one power amplifier for receiving and amplifying said modified first signal;
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means in accordance therewith;
- and,
- detector means for detecting said input signal and providing a first peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said input signal, means for comparing said first peak power signal with a first reference signal and providing a first fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitoring and control means including means responsive to said first fault signal for controlling said amplifier in accordance therewith.
2 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- at least one power amplifier for receiving and amplifying said modified first signal;
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means in accordance therewith;
- and,
- detector means for detecting the output power of said amplifier and providing a second peak power signal representative of the peak power value of said output power, means for comparing said second peak power signal with a second reference signal and providing a second fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitoring and control means including means responsive to said second fault signal for controlling said system in accordance therewith.
2 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- at least one power amplifier for receiving and amplifying said modified first signal;
- means for monitoring the operation of said power amplifier and controlling said signal modulating means in accordance therewith;
- and,
- detector means for detecting the reflected output power from a load associated with said amplifier and providing a third peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said reflected power, means for comparing said third peak power signal with a third reference signal and providing a third fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitoring and control means including means responsive to said third fault signal for controlling said system in accordance therewith.
2 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- N power amplifiers;
- divider means for dividing said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- means for combining said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- means for monitoring the operation of said N power amplifiers and controlling said signal modulating means in accordance therewith;
- and,
- said modulating means is a vector modulator for varying the phase and gain of said input signal in response to phase and gain control signals.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- N power amplifiers;
- divider means for dividing said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- means for combining said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- means for monitoring the operation of said N power amplifiers and controlling said signal modulating means in accordance therewith;
- first power detector means for detecting said input signal and providing therefrom an average input power signal representative of the average input power thereof, and a second power detector means connected to the output of said amplifier for providing an output average power signal representative of the average output power thereof;
- and,
- wherein said monitoring and controlling means includes means for comparing said input and output average power signals and controlling said modulating means in accordance therewith.
5 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- N power amplifiers;
- divider means for dividing said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- means for combining said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- means for monitoring the operation of said N power amplifiers and controlling said signal modulating means in accordance therewith;
- and,
- detector means for detecting said input signal and providing a first peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said input signal, means for comparing said first peak power signal with a first reference signal and providing a first fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitoring and control means including means responsive to said first fault signal for controlling said amplifier in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- N power amplifiers;
- divider means for dividing said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- means for combining said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- means for monitoring the operation of said N power amplifiers and controlling said signal modulating means in accordance therewith;
- and,
- detector means for detecting the output power of said amplifier and providing a second peak power signal representative of the peak power value of said output power, means for comparing said second peak power signal with a second reference signal and providing a second fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitoring and control means including means responsive to said second fault signal for controlling said system in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- signal modulating means for receiving and modifying an input signal and providing therefrom a modified first signal;
- N power amplifiers;
- divider means for dividing said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- means for combining said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- means for monitoring the operation of said N power amplifiers and controlling said signal modulating means in accordance therewith;
- and,
- detector means for detecting the reflected output power from a load associated with said amplifier and providing a third peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said reflected power, means for comparing said third peak power signal with a third reference signal and providing a third fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitoring and control means including means responsive to said third fault signal for controlling said system in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator which receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- a first switch having a closed condition to supply said input signal to said modulator;
- at least one power amplifier that receives and amplifies said modified first signal;
- a second switch having a closed condition to apply a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- a monitor-controller that monitors the operation of said power amplifier and controls said signal modulator and said first and second switches in accordance therewith.
2 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator which receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- a first switch having a closed condition to supply said input signal to said modulator;
- at least one power amplifier that receives and amplifies said modified first signal;
- a second switch having a closed condition to apply a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- a monitor-controller that monitors the operation of said power amplifier and controls said signal modulator and said first and second switches in accordance therewith;
- and
- said signal modulator varies the phase of said input signal and wherein monitor-controller applies a phase control signal to said modulator thereby varying the phase of said input signal.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator which receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- a first switch having a closed condition to supply said input signal to said modulator;
- at least one power amplifier that receives and amplifies said modified first signal;
- a second switch having a closed condition to apply a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- a monitor-controller that monitors the operation of said power amplifier and controls said signal modulator and said first and second switches in accordance therewith;
- and
- wherein said signal modulator is a vector modulator which varies the phase and gain of said input signal in response to phase and gain control signals.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator which receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- a first switch having a closed condition to supply said input signal to said modulator;
- at least one power amplifier that receives and amplifies said modified first signal;
- a second switch having a closed condition to apply a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- a monitor-controller that monitors the operation of said power amplifier and controls said signal modulator and said first and second switches in accordance therewith;
- first power detector which detects said input signal and provides therefrom an average input power signal representative of the average input power thereof, and a second power detector connected to the output of said amplifier for providing an output average power signal representative of the average output power thereof;
- and
- wherein said monitor-controller includes a comparator the compares said input and output average power signals and controls said modulator in accordance therewith.
5 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator which receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- a first switch having a closed condition to supply said input signal to said modulator;
- at least one power amplifier that receives and amplifies said modified first signal;
- a second switch having a closed condition to apply a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- a monitor-controller that monitors the operation of said power amplifier and controls said signal modulator and said first and second switches in accordance therewith;
- and
- a detector that detects said input signal and provides a first peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said input signal, a comparator that compares said first peak power signal with a first reference signal and provides a first fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitor-controller responds to said first fault signal and controls said amplifier in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator which receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- a first switch having a closed condition to supply said input signal to said modulator;
- at least one power amplifier that receives and amplifies said modified first signal;
- a second switch having a closed condition to apply a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- a monitor-controller that monitors the operation of said power amplifier and controls said signal modulator and said first and second switches in accordance therewith;
- and
- a detector that detects the output power of said amplifier and provides a second peak power signal representative of the peak power value of said output signal, a comparator that compares said second peak power signal with a second reference signal and provides a second fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitor-controller responds to said second fault signal and controls said amplifier in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator which receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- a first switch having a closed condition to supply said input signal to said modulator;
- at least one power amplifier that receives and amplifies said modified first signal;
- a second switch having a closed condition to apply a DC voltage source to said power amplifier;
- a monitor-controller that monitors the operation of said power amplifier and controls said signal modulator and said first and second switches in accordance therewith;
- and
- a detector that detects the reflected output power from a load associated with said amplifier and provides a third peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said reflected power, a comparator that compares said third peak power signal with a third reference signal and provides a third fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitor-controller responds to said third fault signal and controls said amplifier in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator that receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- a first switch having a closed condition to supply said input signal to said modulator;
- N power amplifiers;
- a divider that receives and divides said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- a second switch hiving a closed condition to apply a DC voltage source to each of said N power amplifiers;
- a combiner that receives and combines said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- and
- a monitor-controller which monitors the operation of said N power amplifiers and controls said signal modulator and said first and second switches in accordance therewith.
5 more elements
A system as set forth in clam 66 including a detector that detects said input signal and provides a first peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said input signal, a comparator that compares said first peak power signal with a first reference signal and provides a first fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitor-controller responds to said first fault signal and controls said amplifier in accordance therewith.
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator which receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- at least one power amplifier receiving and amplifying said modified first signal;
- a monitor-controller that monitors the operation of said power amplifier and controls said signal modulator in accordance therewith;
- a first power detector that detects said input signal and provides therefrom an average input power signal representative of the average input power thereof, and a second power detector connected to the output of said amplifier for providing an output average power signal representative of the average output power thereof;
- and,
- wherein said monitor-controller includes a comparator that compares said input and output average power signals and controls said modulator in accordance therewith.
3 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator which receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- at least one power amplifier receiving and amplifying said modified first signal;
- a monitor-controller that monitors the operation of said power amplifier and controls said signal modulator in accordance therewith;
- and,
- a detector that detects said input signal and provides a first peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said input signal, a comparator that compares said first peak power signal with a first reference signal and provides a first fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitor-controller responds to said first fault signal to control said amplifier in accordance therewith.
2 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator which receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- at least one power amplifier receiving and amplifying said modified first signal;
- a monitor-controller that monitors the operation of said power amplifier and controls said signal modulator in accordance therewith;
- and,
- a detector that detects the output power of said amplifier and provides a second peak power signal representative of the peak power value of said output power, a comparator that compares said second peak power signal with a second reference signal and provides a second fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitor-controller responds to said second fault signal to control said system in accordance therewith.
2 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator which receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- at least one power amplifier receiving and amplifying said modified first signal;
- a monitor-controller that monitors the operation of said power amplifier and controls said signal modulator in accordance therewith;
- and,
- a detector that detects the reflected output power from a load associated with said amplifier and provides a third peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said reflected power, a comparator that compares said third peak power signal with a third reference signal and provides a third fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitor-controller responds to said third fault signal to control said system in accordance therewith.
2 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator that receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- N power amplifiers;
- a divider that receives and divides said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- a combiner that receives and combines said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- a monitor-controller which monitors the operation of said N power amplifiers and controls said signal modulator in accordance therewith;
- and,
- said modulator is a vector modulator that varies the phase and gain of said input signal in response to phase and gain control signals.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator that receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- N power amplifiers;
- a divider that receives and divides said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- a combiner that receives and combines said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- a monitor-controller which monitors the operation of said N power amplifiers and controls said signal modulator in accordance therewith;
- a first power detector that detects said input signal and provides therefrom an average input power signal representative of the average input power thereof, and a second power detector connected to the output of said amplifier that provides an output average power signal representative of the average output power thereof;
- and,
- wherein said monitor-controller includes a comparator that compares said input and output average power signals and controls said modulator in accordance therewith.
5 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator that receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- N power amplifiers;
- a divider that receives and divides said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- a combiner that receives and combines said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- a monitor-controller which monitors the operation of said N power amplifiers and controls said signal modulator in accordance therewith;
- and,
- a detector that detects said input signal and provides a first peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said input signal and provides a first fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitor-controller responds to said first fault signal and controls said amplifier in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator that receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- N power amplifiers;
- a divider that receives and divides said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- a combiner that receives and combines said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- a monitor-controller which monitors the operation of said N power amplifiers and controls said signal modulator in accordance therewith;
- and,
- a detector that detects the output power of said amplifier and provides a second peak power signal representative of the peak power value of said output power, a comparator that compares said second peak power signal with a second reference signal and provides a second fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitor-controller responds to said second fault signal and controls said system in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
A power amplifier system for use in amplifying an RF input signal comprising:
- a signal modulator that receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified first signal;
- N power amplifiers;
- a divider that receives and divides said first signal into N signals for respective application to said N power amplifiers to provide N amplified signals;
- a combiner that receives and combines said N amplified signals to provide therefrom an amplified output signal for application to an output circuit;
- a monitor-controller which monitors the operation of said N power amplifiers and controls said signal modulator in accordance therewith;
- and,
- a detector that detects the reflected output power from a load associated with said amplifier and provides a third peak power signal representative of the peak power level of said reflected power, a comparator that compares said third peak power signal with a third reference signal and provides a third fault signal in accordance therewith, said monitor-controller responds to said third fault signal and controls said system in accordance therewith.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.