Adjustable segmented power amplifier

An adjustable, segmented amplifier, comprising:

• a) a first fixed stage configured to amplify an analog signal and provide a first amplified output at a first common node;
• b) an adjustable stage comprising a first inductor and a plurality of independently selectable parallel amplifier segments, each of said parallel amplifier segments having an input at said first common node, an output at a second common node and a transistor having a control terminal, wherein said first inductor is in electrical communication with said control terminal of at least one of said transistors and said adjustable stage is configured to provide an output signal in one of a plurality of power ranges corresponding to a number of selected parallel amplifier segments, said output signal having a minimum power efficiency when two or more of said parallel amplifier segments are selected, wherein at least one selected parallel amplifier segment is selected for operation by applying a non-zero bias at the control terminal thereof;
• and
• c) a bias generator comprising a current source configured to apply said bias to said control terminal.

A circuit, comprising:

• a) means for amplifying an analog signal to provide a first amplified signal;
• b) means for providing an adjustably amplified output from said first amplified signal;
• and
• c) means for selecting an output power range for said adjustably amplified output comprising a plurality of parallel, independently selectable means for further amplifying said first amplified signal, each of said parallel means for further amplifying comprising (i) an input at a first common node, (ii) a transistor having a control terminal, (iii) an inductor configured to resonate with a capacitance at a base of said transistor, coupled to said control terminal of said transistor to a bias signal, and (iv) an output at a second common node.

A circuit, comprising:

• a) means for amplifying an analog signal to provide a first amplified signal;
• b) means for providing an adjustably amplified output from said first amplified signal, comprising a plurality of parallel, independently selectable means for further amplifying said first amplified signal and a first means for coupling at least one of said parallel means for further amplifying to a first bias, each of said parallel means for further amplifying comprising a transistor having a control terminal, having an input at a first common node and an output at a second common node;
• c) a first inductor in electrical communication with said control terminal of at least one of said transistors;
• d) means for selecting an output power range for said adjustably amplified output, said adjustably amplified output having a minimum power efficiency when two or more of said means for further amplifying are selected;
• and
• e) means for providing a bias signal comprising a current source and a means for providing a current to said current source.

A system for broadcasting an analog signal, comprising:

• a) an integrated circuit, comprising:
• (1) an adjustable, segmented amplifier, comprising;
• (i) a first fixed stage configured to amplify an analog signal and provide a first amplified output at a first common node;
• (ii) an adjustable stage comprising a plurality of independently selectable parallel amplifier segments, each of said parallel amplifier segments having an input at said first common node and an output at a second common node, wherein said adjustable stage is configured to provide an output signal in one of a plurality of power ranges corresponding to a number of selected parallel amplifier segments, said output signal having a minimum power efficiency when two or more of said parallel amplifier segments are selected;
• and
• (2) a transmitter communicatively coupled to said adjustable amplifier, said transmitter being configured to transmit said analog signal to said adjustable amplifier;
• b) a signal converter configured to provide a converted analog output signal from said output signal of said adjustable amplifier;
• c) a transmission antenna configured to broadcast said converted analog output signal;
• d) an output inductor coupled to said second common node;
• and
• e) an adjustable resistor coupled to said output inductor.

A system for broadcasting an analog signal, comprising:

• a) an integrated circuit, comprising:
• (1) an adjustable, segmented amplifier, comprising:
• (i) a first fixed stage configured to amplify an analog signal and provide a first amplified output at a first common node;
• (ii) an adjustable stage comprising a plurality of independently selectable parallel amplifier segments, each of said parallel amplifier segments having an input at said first common node and an output at a second common node, wherein said adjustable stage is configured to provide an output signal in one of a plurality of power ranges corresponding to a number of selected parallel amplifier segments, said output signal having a minimum power efficiency when two or more of said parallel amplifier segments are selected;
• and
• (2) a transmitter communicatively coupled to said adjustable amplifier, said transmitter being configured to transmit said analog signal to said adjustable amplifier,
• b) a signal converter configured to provide a converted analog output signal from said output signal of said adjustable amplifier;
• c) a transmission antenna configured to broadcast said converted analog output signal;
• d) said signal converter configured to convert said differential signal to a single-ended signal;
• e) said output signal comprising a differential signal;
• f) first and second output inductors coupled to each line of said output signal;
• and
• g) first and second adjustable resistors respectively coupled to said first and second output inductors.

A method of amplifying an analog signal, comprising the steps of:

• a) amplifying said analog signal in a fixed amplifier stage;
• b) selecting one or more parallel amplifier segments for subsequent signal amplification, wherein each of said parallel amplifier segments comprises (i) a transistor having a control terminal and (ii) a first inductor configured to resonate with a capacitance at a base of said transistor in electrical communication with said control terminal of said transistor;
• and
• c) amplifying said amplified analog signal with said activated parallel, selectable amplifier segments to generate an output signal in a unique output power range corresponding to the number of selected parallel amplifier segments.

A method of amplifying an analog signal, comprising the steps of:

• a) amplifying said analog signal in a fixed amplifier stage;
• b) selecting one or more parallel amplifier segments for subsequent signal amplification by applying a bias to the selected amplifier segments, wherein each of said parallel amplifier segments comprises a transistor having a control terminal and a first inductor in electrical communication with said control terminal of said transistor;
• c) generating the bias from a programmable current independently for each selected amplifier segment, wherein a value of said bias corresponds to a number of selected amplifier segments;
• d) determining a value of said programmable current based on said number of selected amplifier segments;
• and
• e) amplifying said amplified analog signal with said selected amplifier segments to generate an output signal in a unique output power range corresponding to the number of selected amplifier segments.

A method of amplifying an analog signal, comprising the steps of:

• a) amplifying said analog signal in a fixed amplifier stage;
• b) selecting one or more independently selectable parallel amplifier segments for subsequent signal amplification, wherein each of said parallel amplifier segments comprises a transistor having a control terminal and a first inductor in electrical communication with said control terminal of said transistor, and selecting one or more of said parallel amplifier segments comprises applying a non-zero bias at said control terminal;
• and
• c) amplifying said amplified analog signal with said selected amplifier segments to generate an output signal in a unique output power range corresponding to the number of selected amplifier segments, wherein said output signal has a minimum power efficiency when two or more of said parallel amplifier segments are selected.