Harmonic matching network for a saturated amplifier
AssigneeEricsson Inc.
InventorPaul W. Dent
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for increasing the efficiency of direct current (DC) power to radio frequency (RF) power include a harmonic matching network that inhibits harmonic current flow for a number of harmonic frequencies. The matching network includes a number of sections, where each section generates an impedance that resonates with the output capacitance at a harmonic frequency. Each section of the matching network also creates a high impedance to the amplifier at the respective odd harmonic frequency.
Claims23
A transmitter power amplifier for converting power from a direct current (DC) supply to radio frequency power (RF) in a load resistance, comprising:
- an amplifier comprising at least one active output device, the amplifier having an output capacitance;
- and
- a harmonic terminating and impedance matching network comprising a plurality of sections coupled between said amplifier and the load resistance, a first section nearest said amplifier creating an impedance at the at least one active output device which is resonant with said output capacitance at a highest harmonic frequency and compensates for said output capacitance to produce a high impedance at said highest harmonic frequency, and a second section nearest the load resistance creating an impedance at said at least one active output device which resonates with said output capacitance at a lowest harmonic frequency and compensates for said output capacitance to produce a high impedance at said lowest harmonic frequency.
In a mobile terminal comprising an amplifier having an output capacitance, a method comprising:
- converting power from a direct current (DC) power supply to radio frequency (RF) power, via the amplifier;
- creating a first impedance at an output of the amplifier, the first impedance resonating with the output capacitance at a first harmonic frequency and compensating for the output capacitance to produce a high impedance at the first harmonic frequency;
- and
- creating a second impedance at the output of the amplifier, the second impedance resonating with the output capacitance of the amplifier at a second harmonic frequency and compensating for the output capacitance to produce a high impedance at the second harmonic frequency.
A class-F amplifier, comprising:
- an input receiving a sinusoidal drive signal;
- at least one active output device receiving the sinusoidal drive signal, the at least one active output device being forward-biased with a predetermined current;
- and
- a harmonic network coupled to the at least one active output device, the harmonic network terminating odd harmonic frequencies to generate a substantially square wave output voltage signal waveform and sinusoidal output current waveform, wherein the predetermined current is sufficient to substantially reduce distortion in the substantially square wave output voltage waveform in the vicinity of zero crossings of the output current waveform.
A mobile terminal, comprising:
- an amplifier that converts power from a direct current (DC) power supply to radio frequency power (RF), the amplifier having an output capacitance;
- a circuit coupled to the amplifier, the circuit comprising a plurality of sections, each section comprising at least one element that generates an impedance that resonates with the output capacitance at one of a number of respective odd harmonic frequencies and creates a high impedance to the amplifier at the respective odd harmonic frequency;
- and
- a transmit device coupled to the circuit, the transmit device receiving the RF power.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.