Low-power polar transmitter
AssigneeQuintic Holdings
InventorsJohn B. Groe, Michael Noane Farias
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for providing transmit signals in polar transmitters are described. A modulation signal may be provided from a VCO to low noise and low power signal paths and selectively combined based on a desired output power level. CMOS and CML divider circuits may be used to implement the low noise and low power signal paths respectively, and logic may be provided to select desired signals from the low noise and low power signal stages based on the desired output power level.
Claims26
Apparatus for use in a polar transmitter comprising:
- a signal combiner circuit;
- a low noise circuit coupled to a VCO circuit and a signal combiner circuit, said low noise circuit configured to provide a low noise signal provided by a low noise signal path from the VCO to the signal combiner circuit;
- and
- a low power circuit coupled to the VCO and the signal combiner circuit, said low power circuit configured to provide a low power signal provided by a low power signal path from the VCO to the signal combiner circuit;
- wherein the signal combiner circuit is configured to selectively generate an output signal based on the low noise signal, the low power signal, or a combination of the low noise and low power signal.
A method for providing an output signal in a polar modulator transmitter comprising:
- receiving a VCO output signal;
- dividing, in a low noise signal circuit, the VCO output signal to generate a low noise signal;
- dividing, in a low power signal circuit, the VCO output signal to generate a low power signal;
- and
- selectively combining the low noise signal and low power signal in a combiner circuit to generate an output signal for transmission by said transmitter.
A polar modulation transmitter comprising:
- a power amplifier circuit;
- a phase locked loop circuit including a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO);
- a signal combiner circuit;
- a low noise circuit coupled to a VCO circuit and a signal combiner circuit, said low noise circuit configured to provide a low noise signal provided by a low noise signal path from the VCO to the signal combiner circuit;
- and
- a low power circuit coupled to the VCO and the signal combiner circuit, said low power circuit configured to provide a low power signal provided by a low power signal path from the VCO to the signal combiner circuit;
- wherein the signal combiner circuit is configured to selectively generate an output signal provided to the power amplifier, said output signal being based on the low noise signal, the low power signal, or a combination of the low noise and low power signal responsive to a desired output level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.