Efficient Smart Wideband Linear Hybrid CMOS RF Power Amplifier

摘要

A novel and useful linear, efficient, smart wideband CMOS hybrid power amplifier that combined an analog linear amplification path and a digital power amplification (DPA) path. PA path control logic analyzes the input I and Q signals and determines which amplification paths to steer the input I and Q signals to. The analog linear amplification path comprises digital to analog converters for both I and Q paths and one or more analog linear power amplifiers. The digital power amplification path comprises I and Q up-sampling circuits and I and Q RF DAC circuits (e.g., digital PA circuits). In operation, the PA path control logic compares the I and Q signals to thresholds (which may or may not be different) and based on the comparisons, selects one or more paths for the input I and Q signals. Whether the signals from the analog and digital amplification paths are to be combined or selected (i.e. switched), the PA path control circuit is operative to generate select (switch) control signals which are applied to summer/selector elements which generate the output of the hybrid PA.

主权项

1. A hybrid power amplifier (PA) circuit, comprising:
a first amplification path based on an analog linear amplifier and operative to receive and amplify an input signal; a second amplification path based on a digital power amplifier (DPA) circuit and operative to receive and amplify the input signal; a path control circuit operative to select at least one of said first amplification path and said second amplification path in response to said input signal; and a circuit operative to either combine or select an output of said first amplification path and said second amplification path to generate a linear hybrid PA output signal therefrom.