APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR USE IN DISCONNECTING AND/OR REPLACING ONE OF A PLURALITY OF POWER AMPLIFIERS IN A TRANSMITTER WHILE THE TRANSMITTER IS OPERATING

摘要

Apparatus and method are presented for use in disconnecting and/ or replacin g one of a plurality of M power amplifier modules in an RF transmitter while the transmitter is operating. Each amplifier module has first and second outputs that normally are connected across an associated one of M transformer primary windings. Also, M transformer secondary windings are provided with each associated with one of the primary windings. The secondary windings are connected together in series across a load. Each amplifier module has a control input for receiving a disable signal that disables the amplifier module. A switch having a disable condition and an enable condition. A controller responds to the switch being in a disable condition for providing a disable signal. A shorti ng switch is provided having a normal open condition and a shorting condition and wherein the switch is connectable across the primary winding of an associated amplifier module to be disconnected and/ or replaced. A shorting switch driver responds to the disable signal for driving the shorting switch to its shorting condition to short circuit the primary winding associated with the amplifier module that is to be disconnected and/or replaced.