Configurable power amplifier and bias control
AssigneeSkyworks Solutions, Inc.
InventorsHugh J. Finlay, Mark Bloom, Thomas Fowler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The bias control selectively provides for bias of a power amplifier based upon a bandgap voltage generated by the bias control, or by a bias voltage external to the bias control. A controller controls the selection of either the bandgap voltage or external bias voltage. The bias control is fabricated in a first semiconductor material capable of operating at low voltage supply levels, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) material and may be fabricated on an integrated circuit common with a power amplifier.
Claims22
A communications device comprising:
- a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier fabricated with a first semiconductor material, the RF power amplifier configured to amplify an RF input signal;
- and
- a configurable bias controller fabricated with a second semiconductor material, the configurable bias controller comprising:
- a band gap voltage generator for generating a bandgap voltage;
- a voltage-to-current converter for generating a reference current in accordance with the bandgap voltage;
- a programmable current mirror for multiplying the reference current by a predetermined amount;
- a feedback amplifier for outputting a constant current in accordance with the multiplied reference current;
- and
- a reference device for receiving the constant current and providing a constant bias current to the RF power amplifier.
A configurable bias controller comprising:
- a band gap voltage generator for generating a bandgap voltage;
- voltage-to-current converter for generating a reference current in accordance with said bandgap voltage;
- a programmable current mirror for multiplying said reference current by a predetermined amount;
- and
- a feedback amplifier for receiving the multiplied reference current and outputting and maintaining a constant current to a reference device.
A configurable bias controller comprising:
- a band gap voltage generator for generating a bandgap voltage;
- an external bias voltage source for supplying an external bias voltage;
- a switching device for receiving the bandgap voltage and the external bias voltage and providing a voltage selected from the bandgap voltage or the external bias voltage;
- a voltage-to-current converter for generating a reference current in accordance with the selected voltage provided by the switching device;
- a programmable current mirror for multiplying the reference current by a predetermined amount;
- a feedback amplifier for outputting a constant current in accordance with the multiplied reference current;
- and
- a reference device for receiving the constant current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.