Power amplifier system having amplifier failure compensation

摘要

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a power amplifier system is provided for amplifying an RF input signal. The system includes a signal modulator that receives and modifies an input signal and provides therefrom a modified input signal. The system further includes a plurality of M sub-power amplifiers connected together in parallel with each receiving and amplifying a portion of the modified input signal. A combiner combines the amplified portions to provide a combined output signal. A power detector receives the combined output signal and provides therefrom an average output power signal representative of the average output power thereof. A controller monitors the operation of the M sub-power amplifiers to determine if any have failed and adjusts the magnitude of the output power signal to compensate for any failure. The controller controls the modulator in accordance with a function of the magnitude of the output power signal.