Power amplifier configuration
AssigneeNortel Networks Limited
InventorDavid N Wessel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Power amplifier arrangements, methods, and software arranged to receive a power input which is voltage-modulated responsive to at least one control signal representative of the data signal. The data input to the power amplifier is pre-distorted and the resulting power amplification is substantially linear. The arrangement may be used in wireless base station transmitters, but is not limited to such applications. Improved data transmission services are also provided which make use of such power amplifiers.
Claims13
A power amplifier comprising:
- a power amplifier for receiving an input signal and amplifying said input signal to form an output signal;
- a power supply for supplying a power supply voltage to the power amplifier;
- a signal processing unit for receiving said input signal and for providing a control signal to the power supply, said signal processing unit including means for forming said control signal responsive to said input signal;
- wherein the power supply modulates the power supply voltage in response to the control signal so as to vary said power supply voltage proportionally with respect to changes in the input signal;
- and
- wherein the input signal to the power amplifier is time delayed to allow the power supply voltage to be modulated in time with amplification of the input signal by the power amplifier.
A method of operating a power amplifier, comprising the steps of:
- providing an input signal to the power amplifier, the power amplifier amplifying the input signal to form an output signal;
- providing a power supply voltage to the amplifier to enable the power amplifier to amplify the input signal;
- modulating the power supply voltage to the power amplifier in response to a control signal received by the power supply from a signal processing unit, said signal processing unit forming said control signal responsive to the input signal, wherein the power supply modulates the power supply voltage so as to vary said power supply voltage proportionally with respect to changes in the input signal;
- and
- time delaying inputting of the input signal to the power amplifier in order to allow the power supply voltage to be modulated in time with amplification of the input signal by the power amplifier.
A method of amplifying a signal using a power amplifier having a power supply input, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving the input signal;
- amplifying the input signal using the power amplifier to provide an output signal;
- modulating the power supply input to the power amplifier in accordance with a control signal responsive to said input signal, wherein the method includes the step of time delaying inputting of the input signal to the power amplifier to allow the power supply input to be modulated in time with amplification of the input signal by the power amplifier.
A program for a computer for controlling a power amplifier arrangement comprising a power amplifier, a power supply and a signal processing unit, the program comprising code to carry out the steps of:
- providing an input signal to the power amplifier, the power amplifier amplifying the input signal to form an output signal;
- providing a power supply voltage to the amplifier to enable the power supply voltage to the amplifier to enable the power amplifier to amplify the input signal;
- modulating the power supply voltage to the power amplifier in response to a control signal received by the power supply from a signal processing unit, said signal processing unit forming said control signal responsive to the input signal, wherein the power supply modulates the power supply voltage so as to vary said power supply voltage proportionally with respect to changes in the input signal;
- and
- time delaying inputting of the input signal to the power amplifier in order to allow the power supply voltage to be modulated in time with amplification of the input signal by the power amplifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.