Systems and methods of RF power transmission, modulation, and amplification, including embodiments for amplifier class transitioning

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• and
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• wherein said controlling step comprises controlling said power amplifier to transition from a class A amplifier to a class S amplifier, while passing through intermediate amplifier classes AB, B, C, and D.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• and
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• wherein said controlling step comprises controlling said power amplifier to transition from a class A amplifier to a class S amplifier, while passing through one or more intermediate amplifier classes.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• and
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• wherein said controlling step comprises one or more of (a) controlling phase of input signals of said power amplifier, (b) controlling bias of said power amplifier, and (c) controlling amplitude of input signals of said power amplifier.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• and
• controlling a class of operation of said power amplifier according to changes in trajectory of said output waveform.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform,
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• and
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• wherein said power amplifier transitions from a class S amplifier to a class A amplifier as said output waveform transitions from a maximum value to zero.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• and
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• wherein said power amplifier operates as a class A amplifier at zero crossings of said output waveform.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• and
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• wherein said power amplifier switches to a higher class of operation as a complex envelope of said output waveform increases.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• and
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• wherein said power amplifier switches to a lower class of operation as a complex envelope of said output waveform decreases.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• and
• controlling phase of input signals of said power amplifier, when said power level of said output waveform exceeds a determined threshold.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• and
• controlling one or more of (a) phase of input signals of said power amplifier, (b) bias of said power amplifier, and (c) amplitude of input signals of said power amplifier, when said determined power level of said output waveform exceeds a first threshold but is below a second threshold.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• and
• controlling one or more of (a) bias of said power amplifier and (b) amplitude of input signals of said power amplifier, when said determined power level of said output waveform is below a determined threshold.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• and
• controlling an output current of said power amplifier according to said determined power level of said output waveform.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• and
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• wherein said controlling step comprises controlling said power amplifier to operate as a switch, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class D amplifier.

A method for real-time amplifier class control in a power amplifier, comprising:

• determining a power level of an output waveform;
• determining a desired amplifier class of operation according to said determined power level, wherein said desired amplifier class of operation enhances one or more of power efficiency and linearity of said power amplifier for said determined power level;
• and
• controlling said power amplifier to operate according to said desired amplifier class of operation;
• wherein said controlling step comprises controlling said power amplifier to generate a pulse width modulated (PWM) output signal, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class S amplifier.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• wherein said means for controlling comprises means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a waveform trajectory of said output signal.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition from a class A amplifier to a class S amplifier, while passing through intermediate amplifier classes AB, B, C, and D.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition from a class A amplifier to a class S amplifier, while passing through one or more intermediate amplifier classes.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• wherein said means for controlling comprises means for controlling said power amplifier to transition from a class S amplifier to a class A amplifier as said output signal transitions from a maximum value to zero.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• wherein said means for controlling comprises means for controlling said power amplifier to operate as a class A amplifier at zero crossings of said output signal.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• wherein said means for controlling comprises means for controlling said power amplifier to switch to a higher class of operation as a complex envelope of said output signal increases.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• wherein said means for controlling comprises means for controlling said power amplifier to switch to a lower class of operation as a complex envelope of said output signal decreases.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• wherein said means for controlling comprises:
• means for controlling an output current of said power amplifier according to said power level of said output signal.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• wherein said means for controlling comprises:
• means for controlling an output current of said power amplifier to have a conduction angle equal to 360 degrees, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class A amplifier.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• wherein said means for controlling comprises:
• means for controlling an output current of said power amplifier to have a conduction angle that is greater than 180 degrees but lower than 360 degrees, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class AB amplifier.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• wherein said means for controlling comprises:
• means for controlling an output current of said power amplifier to have a conduction angle approximately equal to 180 degrees, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class B amplifier.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• wherein said means for controlling comprises:
• means for controlling said power amplifier to operate as a switch, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class D amplifier.

An apparatus for power amplification, comprising:

• input circuitry that receives information, and that generates a plurality of control signals from said received information;
• vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, that receives said control signals and a frequency reference signal, and that generates a plurality of substantially constant envelope signals using said frequency reference signal and said control signals;
• a power amplifier that receives said substantially constant envelope signals and amplifies and combines said substantially constant envelope signals to create an output signal;
• and
• means for controlling said power amplifier to transition between one or more amplifier classes of operation according to a power level of said output signal;
• wherein said means for controlling comprises:
• means for controlling said power amplifier to generate a pulse width modulated (PWM) output signal, thereby operating said power amplifier as a class S amplifier.