Power amplification based on phase angle controlled reference signal and amplitude control signal

摘要

Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.

主权项

1. An apparatus for power amplification, comprising;
input circuitry configured to receive information and to generate in-phase and quadrature phase amplitude control signals and in-phase and quadrature phase control signals from said received information; first vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry, configured to receive a frequency reference signal and said in-phase and quadrature phase control signals and to generate a phase angle controlled frequency reference signal; second vector modulation circuitry, coupled to said input circuitry and said first vector modulation circuitry, configured to receive said in-phase and quadrature phase amplitude control signals and said phase angle controlled frequency reference signal first and second substantially constant envelope signals using said phase angle controlled frequency reference signal and said in-phase and quadrature phase amplitude control signals; and power amplification circuitry, coupled to said second vector modulation circuitry, that comprises two or more circuit branches each comprising one or more transistors, wherein outputs of said one or more transistors in said two or more circuit branches form a single circuit node, and wherein said first and second substantially constant envelope signals are simultaneously amplified and combined at said single circuit node of said power amplification circuitry to create a desired output signal.