Methods and apparatus for adjusting DC power consumption in mobile handset

A method of regulating the DC power consumption in a wireless communications mobile unit, the method comprising:

• providing DC power within said mobile unit;
• transmitting a command signal from a base station, said command signal indicating a desired power level of an RF signal output from said mobile unit;
• receiving said command signal at said mobile unit;
• and
• setting a level of said DC power based on said command signal;
• wherein said DC power produces a supply voltage across an RF amplifier circuit within said mobile unit, and wherein said DC power level is set by:
• generating a control signal within said mobile unit, wherein a level of said control signal is selected based on said command signal;
• generating a supply current tracking signal indicating the present level of said supply voltage;
• determining the difference between at least said control signal and at least said supply voltage tracking signal to obtain a biasing signal;
• and
• varying said supply voltage in proportion to said biasing signal.

A method of regulating the DC power consumption in a wireless communications mobile unit, the method comprising:

• providing DC power within said mobile unit;
• transmitting a command signal from a base station, said command signal indicating a desired power level of an RF signal output from said mobile unit;
• receiving said command signal at said mobile unit;
• and
• setting a level of said DC power based on said command signal;
• wherein said mobile unit comprises a driver and an RF amplifier circuit, and wherein said command signal indicates one of a high RF output power condition and a low RF output power condition, and wherein said DC power level is set by:
• amplifying an RF signal through said driver;
• providing said DC power to said RF amplifier circuit and amplifying said RF signal through said RF amplifier circuit in response to said high RF amplifier circuit;
• and
• bypassing further amplification of said RF signal though said RF amplifier circuit in response to said low RF output power condition.

A mobile unit for a wireless communications system, comprising:

• an RF amplifier circuit;
• means for supplying DC power to said RF amplifier circuit;
• means for receiving a command signal transmitted to said mobile unit, said command signal indicating a desired power level of an RF signal output from said RF amplifier circuit, and
• means for setting a level of said DC power based on said command signal;
• wherein said DC power supply means produces a supply current in said RF amplifier circuit, and said DC power level setting means comprises:
• means for generating a control voltage within said mobile unit;
• mans for generating a supply current tracking voltage;
• means for determining the difference between at least said control voltage and at least said supply current tracking voltage to obtain a biasing signal;
• and
• means for varying said supply current with said biasing signal.

A mobile unit for a wireless communications system, comprising:

• an RF amplifier circuit;
• means for supplying DC power to said RF amplifier circuit;
• means for receiving a command signal transmitted to said mobile unit, said command signal indicating a desired power level of an RF signal output from said RF amplifier circuit, and
• means for setting a level of said DC power based on said command signal;
• wherein said DC power supply means produces a supply voltage across said RF amplifier circuit, said DC power supply means comprising an internal source voltage, and wherein said DC power level setting means comprises:
• means for generating a control voltage within said mobile unit;
• means for generating a supply voltage tracking voltage;
• means for determining the difference between at least said control voltage and at least said supply voltage tracking voltage to obtain a biasing signal;
• and
• means for varying said internal source voltage with said biasing signal.

A mobile unit for a wireless communications system, comprising:

• an RF amplifier circuit;
• means for supplying DC power to said RF amplifier circuit;
• means for receiving a command signal transmitted to said mobile unit, said command signal indicating a desired power level of an RF signal output from said RF amplifier circuit, and
• means for setting a level of said DC power based on said command signal;
• wherein said command signal indicates one of a high RF output power condition and a low RF output power condition, and wherein said DC power level setting means comprises:
• pre-amplification means;
• means for supplying said DC power to said RF amplifier circuit during said high RF output power condition and impeding said DC power to said RF amplifier circuit during said low RF output power condition;
• and
• means for electrically coupling the output of said pre-amplification means to the input of said RF amplifier circuit during said high RF output power condition and electrically coupling the output of said pre-amplification means to the output of said RF amplifier circuit during said low RF output condition.