Method and apparatus for linearizing an amplifier

A method of linearizing a first amplifying means having a nonlinear signal response characteristic to an applied input signal and located between a signal source and a load comprising the steps of:

• selecting a second amplifying means that exhibits a non-linear signal response characteristic to an applied input signal similar to that of said first amplifying means;
• applying a first portion of said input signal obtained from said signal source to said second amplifying means to generate an output signal therefrom;
• determining whether there is any difference between a second portion of said input signal and said output signal and providing a difference signal in accordance therewith;
• phase inverting said difference signal to obtain an inverted difference signal;
• combining said inverted difference signal with said second portion of said input signal to obtain a corrected input signal;
• applying said corrected input signal to said first amplifying means to obtain a corrected output signal therefrom;
• delaying said second portion of said input signal for a time period corresponding with the time duration of any delay caused by said second amplifying means;
• and,
• varying the phase of said output signal from said second amplifying means prior to determining the difference between said output signal and said second portion of said input signal.

A method of linearizing a first amplifying means having a non-linear signal response characteristic to an applied input signal and located between a signal source and a load comprising the steps of:

• selecting a second amplifying means that exhibits a non-linear signal response characteristic to an applied input signal similar to that of said first amplifying means;
• applying a first portion of said input signal obtained from said signal source to said second amplifying means to generate an output signal therefrom;
• determining whether there is any difference between a second portion of said input signal and said output signal and providing a difference signal in accordance therewith;
• phase inverting said difference signal to obtain an inverted difference signal;
• combining said inverted difference signal with said second portion of said input signal to obtain a corrected input signal;
• and
• applying said corrected input signal to said first amplifying means to obtain a corrected output signal therefrom;
• delaying said second portion of said input signal for a time period corresponding with the time duration of any delay caused by said second amplifying means;
• and,
• varying the magnitude of said difference signal prior to the step of inverting said difference signal.

A method of linearizing a first amplifying means having a non-linear signal response characteristic to an applied input signal and located between a signal source and a load comprising the steps of:

• selecting a second amplifying means that exhibits a non-linear signal response characteristic to an applied input signal similar to that of said first amplifying means;
• applying a first portion of said input signal obtained from said signal source to said second amplifying means to generate an output signal therefrom;
• determining whether there is any difference between a second portion of said input signal and said output signal and providing a difference signal in accordance therewith;
• phase inverting said difference signal to obtain an inverted difference signal;
• combining said inverted difference signal with said second portion of said input signal to obtain a corrected input signal;
• applying said corrected input signal to said first amplifying means to obtain a corrected output signal therefrom;
• delaying said second portion of said input signal for a time period corresponding with the time duration of any delay caused by said second amplifying means;
• and,
• varying the phase of said difference signal prior to inverting said difference signal.

A method of linearizing a first amplifying means having a non-linear signal response characteristic to an applied input signal and located between a signal source and a load comprising the steps of:

• selecting a second amplifying means that exhibits a non-linear signal response characteristic to an applied input signal similar to that of said first amplifying means;
• applying a first portion of said input signal obtained from said signal source to said second amplify means to generate an output signal therefrom;
• determining whether there is any difference between a second portion of said input signal and said output signal and providing a difference signal in accordance therewith;
• phase inverting said difference signal to obtain an inverted difference signal;
• combining said inverted difference signal with said second portion of said input signal to obtain a corrected input signal;
• applying said corrected input signal to said first amplifying means to obtain a corrected output signal therefrom;
• and,
• varying both the phase and magnitude of said output signal obtained from said second amplifying means prior to determining whether there is any difference between said second portion of said input signal and said output signal and varying both the magnitude and phase of said difference signal prior to inverting said difference signal.

Apparatus for linearizing a first amplifier having a non-linear signal response characteristic to an applied input signal and located between a signal source and a load, comprising:

• a second amplifier selected such as to exhibit a non-linear signal response characteristic to an applied input signal similar to that of said first amplifier;
• a first sampler that applies a first portion of said input signal obtained from said signal source to said second amplifier to generate an output signal therefrom;
• a difference circuit that determines whether there is any difference between a second portion of said input signal and said output signal and providing a difference signal in accordance therewith;
• a phase inverter that phase inverts said difference signal to obtain an inverted difference signal;
• a combiner that combines said inverted difference signal with said second portion of said input signal to obtain a corrected input signal;
• a second circuit that applies said corrected input signal to said first amplifier to obtain a corrected output signal therefrom;
• a second sampler that applies portions of said input signal to said difference circuit and to said combiner.