Adaptive thermal protection for a power amplifier by remote sense

摘要

An adaptive thermal protection method and arrangement for a power amplifier by remote sense is disclosed which maximizes the amount of output power from electronic equipment such as a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier, having a finite heat sink and operating intermittently over a period of time. This method and apparatus utilizes a remote temperature sensor and knowledge of the on/off, or key/dekey times in conjunction with a stored, predetermined thermal model to adjust the operating power level to a maximum permissible point within a range of operating power levels such that the projected temperature of the power amplifier does not exceed a preset limit. In so doing, the apparatus and method combines the advantages of thermal protection and power maximazation and effects gradual changes in the operating power level by adapting to variable environmental and operational conditions.