Highly linear power amplifier and radio applications thereof

摘要

A single ended highly linear power amplifier includes a component, a 1^st transistor pair, and a 2^nd transistor pair. The 1^st and 2^nd transistor pairs are coupled in series with the component, which may be a resistor, inductor and/or linearly loaded transistor, where the node coupling the component to the 1^st and 2^nd transistor pairs provides the output of the single-ended highly linear power amplifier. The 1^st transistors of the 1^st and 2^nd transistor pairs are coupled to receive an input signal. The 2^nd transistors of the 1^st and 2^nd transistor pairs are each coupled to receive a separate enable signal. The transistor pairs are enabled via their corresponding enable signal to change the gain of the power amplifier with negligible effects on the linearity of the power amplifier. A differential power amplifier includes the single ended power amplifier and a complimentary mirror image of the single ended power amplifier.