Linearization circuit and related techniques

摘要

Circuits and techniques to linearize the operation of an RF power amplifier are described. A linearizer circuit may include a non-amplification signal path which includes a delay line and an amplification signal path which includes at least one amplifier stage. In some embodiments, the amplification signal path may include an odd number of amplification stages. The linearizer may be used to precondition an input signal of an RF power amplifier in a manner that improves the overall linearity of operation.

主权项

1. A linearizer circuit comprising:
a divider circuit having an input and first and second outputs; a first radio frequency (RF) signal path having an input and an output, the input being coupled to the first output of the divider circuit, the first RF signal path comprising a delay line having a predetermined length; a second RF signal path having an input and an output, the input being coupled to the second output of the divider circuit, the second RF signal path comprising a transistor amplifier consisting of an odd number of gain stages; and a combiner circuit having a first input, a second input, and an output, the first input of the combiner circuit being coupled to the output of the first RF signal path and the second input of the combiner circuit being coupled to the output of the second RF signal path; wherein the linearizer circuit is configured so that the output signals of the first and second RF signal paths undergo a high level of cancellation in the combiner circuit when a small signal is applied to the input of the divider circuit and a lower level of cancellation in the combiner circuit when a larger signal is applied to the input of the divider circuit.