RF power amplifier and operating method thereof

摘要

The present invention reduces the size of a power detection circuit. An RF power amplifier includes an RF amplifier circuit and a power detection circuit. The RF amplifier circuit subjects an RF input signal having a predetermined frequency band to power amplification and generates an RF amplifier output signal. The input terminal of the power detection circuit is coupled to the output of the RF amplifier circuit. The power detection circuit detects a harmonic component having a harmonic frequency that is a whole number multiple of the frequency of a fundamental wave component of the RF amplifier output signal, and generates at an output terminal a detected signal indicative of the signal level of the fundamental wave component of the RF amplifier output signal. The power detection circuit includes an input circuit, which detects the harmonic component, and an output circuit, which generates the detected signal at the output.

主权项

1. An RF power amplifier comprising:
an RF amplifier circuit; and a power detection circuit, wherein, when an RF input signal having a predetermined frequency band is supplied to an input terminal of the RF amplifier circuit, the RF amplifier circuit subjects the RF input signal to power amplification and generates an RF amplifier output signal having the predetermined frequency band from an output terminal of the RF amplifier circuit, wherein an input terminal of the power detection circuit is coupled to the output terminal of the RF amplifier circuit, and wherein the power detection circuit detects a harmonic component having a harmonic frequency that is a whole number multiple of the frequency of a fundamental wave component of the RF amplifier output signal, and, in accordance with the detected harmonic component, generates, at an output terminal thereof, a detected signal indicative of the signal level of the fundamental wave component of the RF amplifier output signal, and wherein the power detection circuit includes an input circuit, which detects the harmonic component, and the input circuit also functions as a harmonic termination circuit that is formed by series-coupling a first inductor to a first capacitor, which is coupled between a ground potential and the output terminal of the RF amplifier circuit.