System and method for minimizing dissipation in RF power amplifiers

A method of dynamically controlling the amplification linear range applied by an amplifier in an electrical circuit having an input terminal for receiving an input signal comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an amplifier in an electrical circuit having an input terminal for receiving an input signal;
• (b) amplifying the input signal with the amplification linear range set as a function of an operating condition of the electrical circuit;
• (c) applying a variable voltage to said amplifier from a variable power supply to thereby control the amplification linear range applied by said amplifier to said input signal;
• (d) sensing said operating condition of the electrical circuit;
• (e) determining from a lookup table the desired variable voltage applied to said amplifier as a function of said operating condition;
• (f) controlling the level of said variable voltage applied to said amplifier as a function of said operating condition, thereby dynamically controlling the amplification linear range of said amplifier.

A television transmitter circuit including a power amplifier circuit capable of amplifying a variable frequency input signal in a predetermined frequency range, comprising:

• an amplifier including an input terminal for receiving said input signal;
• a variable power supply for supplying a variable voltage to said amplifier;
• and
• sensing means including a lookup table for sensing the frequency of said input signal and for dynamically determining from said lookup table the voltage to be applied to said amplifier as a function of said input signal frequency;
• whereby said sensing means dynamically controls the variable voltage supplied by said variable power supply to said amplifier as a function of said input signal frequency such that said amplifier amplifies said input signal in response to said input signal frequency.

An electrical circuit comprising:

• an amplifier for amplifying an input signal;
• a power supply for powering said amplifier;
• a sensor for sensing an operational condition of said electrical circuit;
• a look up table;
• a means for controlling the voltage supplied by said power supply, to said amplifier, in response to the application of the sensed operational condition to said look up table.