System and method for dynamically varying operational parameters of an amplifier
AssigneeConexant Systems, Inc.
InventorsAravind Loke, Mohy F. Abdelgany, James F. Kamke
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Abstract
A wireless communications device uses an amplifier module to transmit signals. The amplifier module is configured to amplify a signal. The amplifier module includes an amplifier circuit and a control module. The control module is configured to vary the operating parameters of the amplifier circuit based on a desired output power level. The control module relies on stored data values to dynamically vary the operating parameters of the amplifier circuit so as to increase the efficiency of the amplifier circuit.
Claims26
A wireless communications device having an amplifier module which is configured to amplify the radio frequency signal with increased efficiency, the amplifier module comprising:
- an input terminal which receives a control signal comprising a plurality of pulses, wherein the number of pulses within a predetermined time period identify a desired power output level;
- a control circuit in communication with the control signal, the control circuit comprising at least one counter which counts the number of pulses occurring within the predetermined time period to generate a control value;
- a first memory array in communication with the control value, the first memory array comprising multiple entries, each entry comprising a power value, wherein the first memory outputs the power value which corresponds to the control value that is indicative of the desired power output level;
- a second memory array in communication with the control value, the second memory array comprising multiple entries, each entry comprising a bias value, wherein the second memory outputs the bias value which corresponds to the control value;
- and
- an amplifier circuit which is in communication with the power value, the bias value and a radio frequency signal, the amplifier circuit configured to vary the amplification of the radio frequency signal based on the power and bias values wherein the power and bias values increase the efficiency of the amplifier at the desired power level.
An amplifier control circuit comprising:
- an input which receives a first signal indicative of a desired output power level, wherein the first signal includes pulses that are indicative of the desired output power level;
- a memory comprising plurality of data values wherein the data values represent amplifier operational values;
- and
- a control circuit in communication with the input and the memory, the control circuit comprising a counter, which counts the pulses to generate a count value that is indicative of the desired power output level, wherein the count value is configured to address data values in the memory in, wherein the memory outputs the addressed data values.
A method for increasing the power efficiency of an amplifier module comprising the acts of:
- receiving a first control signal indicative of a power level output of an amplifier module, wherein the first control signal corresponds to pulses that are indicative of the power output level;
- counting the pulses to generate a count value that is indicative of the power output level;
- using the count value to address memory locations, each memory location storing at least one operating characteristic of the amplifier module;
- and
- reading from the addressed storage locations to generate at least a second control signal, the second control signal configured to increase the power efficiency of the amplifier module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.