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US 6,603,352 B2Granted
Switched-mode power amplifier integrally performing power combining
AssigneeIceFyre Semiconductor Corporation
InventorJames Stuart Wight
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AssigneeIceFyre Semiconductor Corporation
InventorJames Stuart Wight
Estimating the term…
A switched-mode power amplifier is configured for performing power amplification of a plurality of signals input thereto and integrally summing (combining) those signals. Conceptually, this is achieved by replacing the center-tapped input winding component of the transformer within a conventional, balanced-type transformer-coupled voltage switching amplifier with separate input components, one for each input signal, in similar manner to the configuration of the input components of a conventional three-port combiner (trifilar). Accordingly, the input winding of the amplifier's transformer is comprised of a plurality of series-coupled windings, one for each of the plurality of input components/signals. In one embodiment, using balanced amplifier input components comprising series-coupled center-tapped windings, the center tap of each input winding is connected to a voltage rail and each terminal end of the winding is driven by an amplifying active device (i.e. transistor) fed by the input signals for that input component. These active devices alternately switch between a low output impedance and a high output impedance whereby the resulting parallel output impedance is low. Consequently, the series-coupled center-tapped windings of the plurality of input components constitutes a series connection of low output impedance sources applied to the amplifier's resonator and load. This, in turn, provides a high level of isolation between the amplifier input components and results in a low level of loss.
A switched-mode power amplifier configured for integrally amplifying and summing a plurality of signals input thereto, said amplifier comprising an input component for each of said plurality of input signals, an output resonator component and a transformer component there between comprising a plurality of series-coupled input windings and an output winding, each said input component comprising one of said input windings and a plurality of active devices wherein said active devices are configured to be alternately switched by said input signal to present an amplified signal corresponding to said input signal at said input winding and a low impedance, wherein said output winding presents a summation signal corresponding to a summation of said amplified signals.
A switched-mode power amplifier configured for integrally amplifying and summing a plurality of signals input thereto, said amplifier comprising an input component for each of said plurality of input signals, an output resonator component for connection to a load and a transformer component between said input and resonant components, said transformer component comprising a plurality of series-coupled input windings and an output winding, each said input component comprising one said input winding and a plurality of active devices, said active devices being configured for alternate switching by said input signal for said input component, whereby said series-coupled input component windings constitute a series connection of low output impedance sources applied to said resonator component and said load.
A method for amplifying and summing a plurality of input signals to produce a single amplified, summation signal for input to a resonator component, said method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.