Multi-mode integrated power amplifier

摘要

A method and apparatus are disclosed for transmitting communication signals through a multi-mode power amplifier. For at least some embodiments, a communication signal may be amplified by an amplifier of the multi-mode power amplifier selected based on a desired transmit output power. The output of the selected amplifier may be coupled through a configurable inductive element to an antenna. The inductive element may be configured as a balun or as an inductive load element based on an operating mode of the multi-mode power amplifier.

主权项

1. A multi-mode power amplifier to amplify a communication signal, comprising:
a first amplifier; a second amplifier; and an inductive coupler coupled between an output of the second amplifier and an output of the multi-mode power amplifier, the inductive coupler comprising:
a first inductive element including a first terminal coupled to an output of the first amplifier and including a second terminal coupled to the output of the multi-mode power amplifier; anda second inductive element coupled across the output of the second amplifier, wherein the first amplifier is to configure the first inductive element to operate as an output inductor that provides the communication signal to the output of the multi-mode power amplifier via the first amplifier during a first mode, and the first amplifier is to configure the first inductive element to operate as a balun that couples the output of the second amplifier to the output of the multi-mode power amplifier during a second mode; wherein the first amplifier configures the first inductive element to (i) operate in the first mode by coupling a bias signal to the first amplifier, and (ii) to operate in the second mode by coupling a power supply signal to the first amplifier.