Class E Doherty amplifier topology for high efficiency signal transmitters
AssigneeEricsson Inc.
InventorDavid R. Pehlke
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Abstract
A Doherty amplifier circuit is provided comprising a digital signal processor for producing separated amplitude and phase modulated waveforms, and a plurality of class E amplifiers in communication with the digital signal processor. Each of the amplifiers has an input for receiving signals corresponding to the waveforms, and outputs linked to a shared load network. In this way, a scheme for efficient amplification of amplitude modulated waveforms is achieved across a wide dynamic range and for a large peak-to-average ratio using only input modulated techniques.
Claims24
An amplifier circuit comprising:
- a digital signal processor for producing separated amplitude and phase modulated waveforms;
- and
- a plurality of class E amplifiers in communication with said digital signal processor, each of said amplifiers having an input for receiving signals corresponding to said waveforms, and outputs linked to a shared load network.
An amplifier circuit comprising:
- a digital signal processor producing a plurality of digital amplitude modulation signals and at least one digital phase modulated signal;
- a plurality of digital to analog converters in communication with said digital signal processor for converting said digital amplitude modulation signals into analog amplitude modulation signals, and for converting said digital phase modulated signal into an analog phase modulated signal;
- a plurality of class E amplifiers in communication with said digital to analog converters to receive said analog signals, at least one of said amplifiers functioning as a carrier amplifier connected to receive said analog phase modulated signal and one of said analog amplitude modulation signals, and at least another of said amplifiers functioning as a peaking amplifier connected to receive said analog phase modulated signal and another of said analog amplitude modulation signals.
A method of providing high-efficiency and high peak-to-average signal amplification, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing first and second digital amplitude waveforms from a digital signal processor;
- providing a first digital phase waveform from said digital signal processor;
- converting said first digital amplitude waveform into a first analog amplitude waveform, and said second digital amplitude waveform into a second analog amplitude waveform;
- converting said first digital phase waveform into a first analog phase waveform;
- generating a first output signal with a carder amplifier from said first analog amplitude waveform and said first analog phase waveform;
- generating a second output signal with a peaking amplifier from said second analog amplitude waveform and said second analog phase waveform;
- and
- combining said first and second output signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.