Abstract: A method of applying an activation scheme to a digitally controlled segmented RF power transmitter having a plurality of adjacent segments (3), each segment (3) having an associated activation area, the segments (3) being controlled by one or more code words (CWD) The method includes controlling segments (3) by activating a specific segment (3) using an activation scheme for activating specific ones of the segments (3) depending on the code word (CWD), the activation scheme starting from center ones of the plurality of segments (3) towards outer ones of the plurality of segments (3) for increasing code word (CWD) values. This method can be applied in any digitally controlled segmented RF power transmitter, be it in polar or Cartesian implementations, and in single ended or push-pull output configurations.

Abstract: Digitally controlled segmented RF power transmitter with a digital processing part (2) and an RF power amplification part (3) having a plurality of segments (122). The digital processing part (2) has a clock generation block (5) being arranged to generate n equi-phased clock signals with a 50% duty-cycle (fLO,x_50%; Cx), and a sign-bit phase mapper unit (11) being arranged to receive the n equi-phased clock signals (fLO,x_50%; Cx), and sign signals (SignI, SignQ; sign bits), and to output a set of m, m?n, phase mapped clock signals with a 50% duty-cycle (CLKy,50%; Cy) using a predetermined phase swapping scheme. Each of the plurality of segments (122) comprises logic circuitry (12) receiving the set of m phase-mapped clock signals with a 50% duty-cycle (CLKy,50%; Cy), and being arranged to provide the respective segment driving signal with a duty-cycle z of less than 50%.

Abstract: An RF transmitter (1) having a gate-segmented power output stage (2) and a digital driver (5). The gate-segmented power output stage (2) includes a field-effect transistor with a plurality of gate fingers (32) and drain fingers (31) that define a gate periphery. The field-effect transistor comprises a plurality of power output stage segments (3) that each correspond to a respective part of the gate periphery, and that each have a respective power output stage segment input (4). The digital driver (5) has control outputs (6) which are connected to corresponding ones of the respective power output stage segment inputs (4), and is configured for individually switching each of the power output stage segments (3) between an on mode and a cut-off mode in dependence of one or more input signals to obtain a modulated RF carrier signal at an output (7) of the gate-segmented power output stage (2).