Modified doherty amplifier
AssigneeHarris Corporation
InventorsTimothy Wilfred Dittmer, George Cabrera
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for efficient amplification of a signal utilizing a modified Doherty amplifier system. A modified Doherty amplifier system includes a nonlinear main amplifier and a nonlinear auxiliary amplifier. An impedance-inverting network separates the main amplifier from an associated load. A second quarter wave transmission line separates the auxiliary amplifier from an associated signal source. The signal source has an associated minimum signal power, such that the signal power never drops below a predetermined percentage of a peak signal power.
Claims17
A modified Doherty amplifier system, comprising:
- a nonlinear main amplifier;
- a nonlinear auxiliary amplifier;
- an impedance-inverting network that separates the main amplifier from an associated load;
- a second quarter wave transmission line that separates the auxiliary amplifier from an associated signal source, the signal source having an associated minimum signal power, such that the signal power never drops below a predetermined percentage of a peak signal power.
A method for amplifying a signal of interest, comprising the steps of:
- generating the signal of interest such that the signal of interest has a minimum power that is greater than a predetermined fraction of its peak power;
- amplifying a first portion of the signal power of the signal of interest at a first nonlinear amplifier operating in saturation;
- and
- amplifying a second portion of the signal power from the signal of interest at a second nonlinear amplifier operating at saturation.
An amplifier system for amplifying an in-band, on-channel (IBOC) digital audio broadcasting composite radio frequency (RF) signal from an associated signal source to provide an amplified RF signal to an associated load comprising:
- a first nonlinear amplifier that operates in a saturated region;
- a second nonlinear amplifier that operates in a saturated region;
- wherein the first and second amplifier circuits are connected together in parallel and located intermediate to the signal source and the load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.