Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transmit power control in wireless communication systems are provided. In one aspect, a wireless communication system includes a transmit chain that generates a transmit signal based on a data signal having a time-varying signal envelope, a power amplifier that amplifies the transmit signal, and a transmit chain controller that generates a first power control signal and a second power control signal that control an adjustable power level of the transmit chain. The transmit chain controller includes an error extractor that generates an error signal based on comparing an output signal power of the power amplifier to the time-varying signal envelope. The transmit chain controller further includes a control signal generator that generates the first power control signal and an adjustment signal based on estimating the error signal, and that generates the second power control signal based on the error signal and the adjustment signal.

Abstract: A low noise amplifier (LNA) system for amplifying a plurality of carriers includes a first amplifier circuit that generates a first radio-frequency (RF) output signal by amplifying a first input RF signal corresponding to a first frequency band, the first amplifier circuit having a first input impedance, and a second amplifier circuit that generates a second RF output signal by amplifying the first input RF signal when the system is in a first multi-output mode, a second input impedance of the second amplifier having a first impedance value when the system is in the first multi-output mode. The LNA system further includes a first impedance controller that maintains the second input impedance of the second amplifier circuit at a second impedance value when the apparatus is in a mode other than the first multi-output mode. The second impedance value is substantially the same as the first impedance value.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transmit power control in wireless communication systems are provided. In one aspect, a wireless communication system includes a transmit chain that generates a transmit signal based on a data signal having a time-varying signal envelope, a power amplifier that amplifies the transmit signal, and a transmit chain controller that generates a first power control signal and a second power control signal that control an adjustable power level of the transmit chain. The transmit chain controller includes an error extractor that generates an error signal based on comparing an output signal power of the power amplifier to the time-varying signal envelope. The transmit chain controller further includes a control signal generator that generates the first power control signal and an adjustment signal based on estimating the error signal, and that generates the second power control signal based on the error signal and the adjustment signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for power control in mobile communication devices are provided. In one aspect, a wireless communication device includes a transmit chain that receives a digital in-phase (I) signal and a digital quadrature-phase (Q) signal and that generates a transmit signal. The wireless communication device further includes a power amplifier that amplifies the transmit signal, and a transmit chain controller including a reference generator that combines the digital I signal and the digital Q signal and generates a reference signal corresponding to an instantaneous value of an envelope of the combined signal. The transmit chain controller further includes an error extractor that generates an error signal based on the reference signal and an output power of the power amplifier, and a control signal generator that uses the error signal to generate one or more power control signals for controlling an adjustable power level of the transmit chain.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for power control in mobile communication devices are provided. In one aspect, a wireless communication device includes a transmit chain that receives a digital in-phase (I) signal and a digital quadrature-phase (Q) signal and that generates a transmit signal. The wireless communication device further includes a power amplifier that amplifies the transmit signal, and a transmit chain controller including a reference generator that combines the digital I signal and the digital Q signal and generates a reference signal corresponding to an instantaneous value of an envelope of the combined signal. The transmit chain controller further includes an error extractor that generates an error signal based on the reference signal and an output power of the power amplifier, and a control signal generator that uses the error signal to generate one or more power control signals for controlling an adjustable power level of the transmit chain.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for power control in mobile communication devices are provided. In one aspect, a method for accurately controlling an adjustable power level of a data signal in a transmit chain of a transmitter is provided. The method includes adjusting a controllable gain level of a digital-to-analog converter based on a desired peak-to-average ratio of a transmit signal envelope, adjusting a digitally controlled discrete gain-step amplifier, the amount of gain per step based on an initial estimate of the transmitter gain and a target power, applying a factor to a gain adjuster responsive to the gain step change in the transmit chain, and repeating the adjusting and applying steps until a feedback signal level exceeds a reference signal level.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for power control in mobile communication devices are provided. In one aspect, a method for accurately controlling an adjustable power level of a data signal in a transmit chain of a transmitter is provided. The method includes adjusting a controllable gain level of a digital-to-analog converter based on a desired peak-to-average ratio of a transmit signal envelope, adjusting a digitally controlled discrete gain-step amplifier, the amount of gain per step based on an initial estimate of the transmitter gain and a target power, applying a factor to a gain adjuster responsive to the gain step change in the transmit chain, and repeating the adjusting and applying steps until a feedback signal level exceeds a reference signal level.

Abstract: A transmitter adjusts a transmitted power level by modifying a control input of a variable gain amplifier. A power amplifier control system includes an envelope extractor, an error extractor, and a feed-forward multiplier. The envelope extractor receives data signal inputs and computes the envelope of the combined signal. The error extractor generates an error signal as a function of the combined signal and the output power generated by the power amplifier. The feed-forward multiplier generates a modified error signal that is responsive to a function of the gain in a feedback path. A corresponding method for controlling a power level is also disclosed. In some embodiments, a transmit chain with a power control loop is used to adjust the transmit signal power applied at an input of a variable gain amplifier. A corresponding method for adjusting the transmit signal power level is also included.

Abstract: A frequency generator includes a phase-locked loop (PLL) and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), where the VCO is arranged to receive low-pass data via a first input and high-pass data at a second input. The first input is coupled to a first set of varactors in the VCO. The second input is coupled to a second set of varactors in the VCO. A controller sets the input voltage at the first input and directs a charge pump to operate in a tri-state mode that opens the feedback loop of the PLL. The controller applies different voltages via the second input and measures the change in output frequency. A present gain of the VCO is determined from the ratio of the change in frequency and the change in voltage at the second input and is used to calibrate a portable transceiver.

Abstract: A frequency generator includes a phase-locked loop (PLL) and a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), where the VCO is arranged to receive low-pass data via a first input and high-pass data at a second input. The first input is coupled to a first set of varactors in the VCO. The second input is coupled to a second set of varactors in the VCO. A controller sets the input voltage at the first input and directs a charge pump to operate in a tri-state mode that opens the feedback loop of the PLL. The controller applies different voltages via the second input and measures the change in output frequency. A present gain of the VCO is determined from the ratio of the change in frequency and the change in voltage at the second input and is used to calibrate a portable transceiver.

Abstract: A transmitter adjusts a transmitted power level by modifying a control input of a variable gain amplifier. A power amplifier control system includes an envelope extractor, an error extractor, and a feed-forward multiplier. The envelope extractor receives data signal inputs and computes the envelope of the combined signal. The error extractor generates an error signal as a function of the combined signal and the output power generated by the power amplifier. The feed-forward multiplier generates a modified error signal that is responsive to a function of the gain in a feedback path. A corresponding method for controlling a power level is also disclosed. In some embodiments, a transmit chain with a power control loop is used to adjust the transmit signal power applied at an input of a variable gain amplifier. A corresponding method for adjusting the transmit signal power level is also included.

Abstract: A VCO in a phase-locked loop (PLL) is arranged to receive low-pass data via a first input and high-pass data at a second input. The first input is coupled to a first set of varactors in the VCO. The second input is coupled to a second set of varactors in the VCO. The controller sets the input voltage at the first input and directs a charge pump to operate in a tri-state mode that opens the feedback loop of the PLL. The controller applies different voltages via the second input and measures the change in output frequency. A present gain of the VCO is determined from the ratio of the change in frequency and the change in voltage at the second input.

Abstract: A VCO in a phase-locked loop (PLL) is arranged to receive low-pass data via a first input and high-pass data at a second input. The first input is coupled to a first set of varactors in the VCO. The second input is coupled to a second set of varactors in the VCO. The controller sets the input voltage at the first input and directs a charge pump to operate in a tri-state mode that opens the feedback loop of the PLL. The controller applies different voltages via the second input and measures the change in output frequency. A present gain of the VCO is determined from the ratio of the change in frequency and the change in voltage at the second input.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) is arranged to receive high-pass data at a first input and low-pass data at a second input. A first digital input is coupled to a primary path through a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and a second digital input is coupled to a feedback path of the PLL. The controller provides the first input and the second input during a calibration procedure. The controller adjusts first and second control inputs in an attempt to keep the input voltage to a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) in the PLL constant while determining the gain of the VCO in Hz/LSB.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) is arranged to receive high-pass data at a first input and low-pass data at a second input. A first digital input is coupled to a primary path through a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and a second digital input is coupled to a feedback path of the PLL. The controller provides the first input and the second input during a calibration procedure. The controller adjusts first and second control inputs in an attempt to keep the input voltage to a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) in the PLL constant while determining the gain of the VCO in Hz/LSB.

Abstract: A variable gain frequency multiplier comprises a multiplier circuit and a control circuit configured to receive a power control signal, the power control signal being proportional to a power output signal.

Abstract: A variable gain frequency multiplier comprises a multiplier circuit and a control circuit configured to receive a power control signal, the power control signal being proportional to a power output signal.