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US 6,252,461 B1Granted
Technique for wideband operation of power amplifiers
OwnerFrederick Herbert Raabinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and a circuit for power amplification over a wide frequency range based upon the use of minimum-rating filters or matching networks, negative-component signal processing, and single or multiple amplifiers. The filters and matching networks are preferably designed to minimize the required ratings of the amplifier(s) driving them. The signal processor or generator preferably uses negative components to produces a driving signal that is compensated for the ripple in the filter, matching network, and load. The outputs of multiple amplifiers optimized for different frequency ranges can be combined into a single load with flat frequency response, resistive loads presented to the amplifiers, and no inherent power loss in the combining network.
Claims48
A signal-processing method for transforming an input signal to a desired output signal, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) selecting a network topology;
- (b) selecting a set of components, at least one of said components being a simulated negative component selected from negative resistors, negative capacitors, and negative inductors;
- (c) assigning predetermined initial-values to the resistance, capacitance, and inductance of each of said selected components, said predetermined initial values including a negative value for at least one said simulated negative component;
- (d) varying the values of said selected set from said predetermined initial values until said desired output signal is obtained;
- (e) fixing the values of said selected set at the resultant values;
- and
- (f) converting component values into parameters required for signal processing.
4 more elements
A system for amplifying a signal and delivering an amplified signal to a load, the system having an input and output and comprising:
- (a) a negative-component signal processor,
- (b) an amplifier, and
- (c) an output network;
- the system being organized so that:
- (i) the input of the system is coupled to the input of the negative-component signal processor,
- (ii) the output of the negative-component signal processor is coupled to the amplifier,
- (iii) the output of the amplifier is coupled to the output network,
- (iv) the output of the output network is coupled to the system output, and
- (v) the system output is in turn coupled to the load;
- the negative-component signal processor comprising one or more simulated networks with topologies corresponding to the output network and load and having one or more simulated negative components;
- whereby the amplified signal is delivered to the load with a substantially flat frequency response.
8 more elements
A system for amplifying a signal and delivering an amplified signal to a load, the system having an input and output and comprising:
- (a) a negative-component signal processor,
- (b) an amplifier, and
- (c) an output network,
- the system being organized so that:
- (i) the input of the system is coupled to the input of the negative-component signal processor,
- (ii) the output of the negative-component signal processor is coupled to the amplifier,
- (iii) the output of the amplifier is coupled to the output network,
- (iv) the output of the output network is coupled to the system output, and
- (v) the system output is in turn coupled to the load;
- the negative-component signal processor comprising one or more simulated networks with topologies corresponding to the output network and load and having one or more simulated negative components;
- the load network including a load-sensing means for measuring load characteristics and the system including means for varying values of the components in the negative-component signal processor in response to said load characteristics;
- whereby the amplified signal is delivered to the load with a substantially flat frequency response.
9 more elements
A system for amplifying a signal and delivering an amplified signal to a load, the system having an input and output and comprising:
- (a) a negative-component signal processor,
- (b) multiple amplifiers, and
- (c) multiple output networks;
- said system being organized so that:
- (i) the system input is coupled to a negative-component signal processor,
- (ii) the outputs of the negative-component signal processor are coupled to the amplifiers,
- (iii) the amplifier outputs are coupled to output networks,
- (iv) the outputs of the output networks are coupled to the system output, and
- (v) the system output is coupled to the load;
- the negative-component signal processor comprising one or more simulated networks with topologies corresponding to the output networks and load and having one or more simulated negative components;
- whereby amplification is accomplished over a wide frequency band with a substantially flat frequency response.
8 more elements
A system for delivering a signal to a load, said system having a system input and a system output, said system comprising:
- (a) at least one negative-component signal processor having signal-processor inputs and signal-processor outputs, and
- (b) at least one output network having output-network inputs and output-network outputs;
- the system being organized so that:
- (i) the system input is coupled to the signal-processor inputs of the negative-component signal processors,
- (ii) the signal-processor outputs of the negative-component signal processors are coupled to the output-network inputs,
- (iii) the output-network outputs are coupled to the system output, and
- (iv) the system output is in turn coupled to the load;
- said at least one negative-component signal processor comprising one or more simulated networks with topologies corresponding to the output networks and load and having one or more simulated negative components;
- whereby the signal is delivered to the load with a substantially flat frequency response.
6 more elements
A system for delivering a signal to a load, said system having a system input and a system output, said system comprising:
- (a) at least one negative-component signal processor having signal-processor inputs and signal-processor outputs, and
- (b) at least one output network having output-network inputs, output-network outputs, and an output-network frequency response;
- the system being organized so that:
- (i) the system input is coupled to the signal-processor inputs of the negative-component signal processors,
- (ii) the signal-processor outputs of the negative-component signal processors are coupled to the output network inputs,
- (iii) the output-network outputs are coupled to the system output, and
- (iv) the system output is in turn coupled to the load;
- said at least one negative-component signal processor comprising one or more simulated networks with topologies corresponding to the output network and load and having a signal-processor frequency response opposite to said output network frequency response;
- whereby the signal is delivered to the load with a substantially flat frequency response.
6 more elements
A system for delivering a signal to a load, the system having a system input and a system output, said system comprising:
- (a) one negative-component signal processor having a signal-processor input and signal-processor output, and
- (b) one output network having an output-network input and an output-network output;
- the system being organized so that:
- (i) the system input is coupled to the signal-processor input of the negative-component signal processor,
- (ii) the signal-processor output of the negative-component signal processor is coupled to the output-network input,
- (iii) the output-network output is coupled to the system output, and
- (iv) the system output is in turn coupled to the load;
- said one negative-component signal processor comprising one or more simulated networks with topologies corresponding to the output network and load and having one or more simulated negative components;
- whereby the signal is delivered to the load with a substantially flat frequency response.
6 more elements
A system for amplifying a signal and delivering an amplified signal to a load, the system having a system input and a system output, said system comprising:
- (a) at least one negative-component signal processor having signal-processor inputs and signal-processor outputs,
- (b) at least one output network having output-network inputs and output-network outputs
- (c) a load sensor having a load-sensor output;
- the system being organized so that:
- (i) the system input is coupled to the signal-processor inputs of the negative-component signal processors,
- (ii) the signal-processor outputs of the negative-component signal processors are coupled to the output-network inputs,
- (iii) the output-network outputs are coupled to the system output,
- (iv) the system output is in turn coupled to the load, and
- (v) the load-sensor output of the load sensor is coupled to a signal-processor input of the negative-component signal processor;
- said at least one negative-component signal processor comprising one or more simulated networks with topologies corresponding to the output network and load and having one or more simulated negative components;
- said load sensor having the capability to measure load characteristics and said system including means for varying values of the components in the negative-component signal processor in response to said load characteristics:
- whereby the signal is delivered to the load with a substantially flat frequency response.
9 more elements
A system for delivering a signal to a load, the system having a system input and a system output, said system comprising:
- (a) at least one negative-component signal processor having signal-processor inputs and signal-processor outputs, and
- (b) a multitude of output networks, each having an output-network input and an output-network outputs;
- the system being organized so that:
- (i) the system input is coupled to the signal-processor inputs of the negative-component signal processors,
- (ii) the signal-processor outputs of the negative-component signal processors are coupled to the output-network inputs,
- (iii) the output-network outputs are coupled to the system output, and
- (iv) the system output is in turn coupled to the load;
- said at least one negative-component signal processor comprising one or more simulated networks with topologies corresponding to the output networks and load and having one or more simulated negative components;
- whereby the signal is delivered to the load with a substantially flat frequency response.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.