Traffic-weighted closed loop power detection system for use with an RF power amplifier and method of operation

A wireless network capable of communicating with a plurality of mobile stations located in a coverage area of said wireless network, said wireless network comprising:

• a plurality of base stations capable of wirelessly communicating with said plurality of mobile stations, at least one of said plurality of base stations comprising an RF transmitter having a transmit path capable of receiving an input baseband signal and generating therefrom a modulated RF output signal and a power control circuit for controlling said RF transmitter, said power control circuit comprising:
• a first signal monitor capable of monitoring a level of said modulated RF output signal and generating therefrom a scaled RF output signal value;
• a second signal monitor capable of monitoring a level of said input baseband signal and generating therefrom a scaled baseband input signal value;
• a first comparator capable of comparing said scaled RF output signal value and said scaled baseband input signal value and generating a first gain control signal;
• a second comparator capable of comparing said first gain control signal and an adjustable reference signal to thereby produce a second gain control signal;
• and
• an amplifier bias current controller capable of comparing said modulated RF output signal level and a known maximum output power parameter of a first RF power amplifier in said transmit path and, in response to said comparison, enabling at least a second RF power amplifier in parallel to said first RF power amplifier to thereby increase a combined DC bias current and linearity of said first RF power amplifier and said at least a second RF power amplifier.

For use in a wireless network comprising a plurality of base stations capable of communicating with a plurality of mobile stations located in a coverage area of the wireless network, a method of operating an RF transmitter in one of the plurality of base stations, the RF transmitter having a transmit path capable of receiving an input baseband signal and generating therefrom a modulated RF output signal, the method comprising the steps of:

• monitoring a level of the modulated RF output signal and generating therefrom a scaled RF output signal value;
• monitoring a level of said input baseband signal and generating therefrom a scaled baseband input signal value;
• comparing said scaled RF output signal value and said scaled baseband input signal value and generating a first gain control signal;
• comparing said first gain control signal and an adjustable reference signal to thereby produce a second gain control signal;
• comparing the modulated RF output signal level and a known maximum output power parameter of a first RF power amplifier in the transmit path;
• and
• in response to the comparison of the modulated RF output signal level and said power parameter of a first RF power amplifier in the transmit path, enabling at least a second RF power amplifier in parallel to the first RF power amplifier to thereby increase a combined DC bias current and linearity of the first RF power amplifier and the second RF power amplifier.