Back to results
US 6,549,071 B1Granted
Power amplifier circuitry and method using an inductance coupled to power amplifier switching devices
AssigneeSilicon Laboratories Inc.
InventorsSusanne A. Paul, Timothy J. Dupuis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers for reducing the peak voltage that transistors are subjected to. A power amplifier is provided with first and second switching devices and an inductor connected between the switching devices. The switching devices are driven such that the switching devices are turned on and off during the same time intervals.
Claims58
A power amplifier comprising:
- a first switching device connected between a first supply voltage and a first output node;
- a second switching device connected between a second supply voltage and a second output node;
- an inductance coupled between the first and second output nodes;
- and
- a preamplifier connected to the power amplifier, the preamplifier further comprising:
- a third switching device connected between said first supply voltage and a third node and coupled to the input to the first switching device;
- a fourth switching device connected between said second supply voltage and a fourth node and coupled to the input to the second switching device;
- and
- a second inductor coupled between the third and fourth nodes.
6 more elements
A method of reducing the peak output voltage of an amplifier comprising the steps of:
- providing a first inductor having first and second terminals;
- providing a first switching device connected between the first terminal of the first inductor and a first supply voltage;
- providing a second switching device connected between the second terminal of the first inductor and a second supply voltage;
- providing a third switching device connected between the gate of the first switching device and a third supply voltage;
- providing a fourth switching device connected between the gate of the second switching device and a fourth supply voltage;
- providing a second inductor connected between the gates of the first and second switching devices;
- applying a voltage between the first and second terminals of the first inductor during a first portion of a clock cycle by turning on the first and second switching devices;
- and
- turning off the first and second switching devices during a second portion of the clock cycle.
6 more elements
A differential power amplifier comprising:
- a first amplifier having a first switching device connected between a first supply voltage and a first output node, a second switching device connected between a second supply voltage and a second output node, and an inductance coupled between the first and second output nodes;
- a second amplifier having a third switching device connected between a third supply voltage and a third output node, a fourth switching device connected between a fourth supply voltage and a fourth output node, and an inductance coupled between the third and fourth output nodes;
- and
- wherein the first and second amplifiers are coupled together to drive a load.
1 more element
A method of providing a differential power amplifier comprising:
- providing a first amplifier;
- providing a second amplifier;
- and
- connecting the first and second amplifiers differentially to drive a load, wherein the first and second amplifiers are each provided by a first switching device connected between a first supply voltage and a first output node, a second switching device connected between a second supply voltage and a second output node, and an inductance coupled between the first and second output nodes.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.