Abstract: Techniques for controlling the output of a power amplifier are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a system that includes a power amplifier and a controller coupled to the power amplifier to form a feedback loop. The power amplifier is enabled or disabled in response to a blanking signal. The controller includes an accumulator that stores an accumulated error of the feedback loop. The controller suspends operation of the accumulator when (1) a level of the input signal is below a first threshold for an amount of time that exceeds a second threshold, (2) the blanking signal indicates that the power amplifier is disabled, or (3) both. The controller resumes operation of the accumulator when (1) the level of the input signal is above the first threshold and (2) the blanking signal indicates that the power amplifier is enabled.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling the output of a power amplifier are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a system that includes a power amplifier and a controller coupled to the power amplifier to form a feedback loop. The power amplifier is enabled or disabled in response to a blanking signal. The controller includes an accumulator that stores an accumulated error of the feedback loop. The controller suspends operation of the accumulator when (1) a level of the input signal is below a first threshold for an amount of time that exceeds a second threshold, (2) the blanking signal indicates that the power amplifier is disabled, or (3) both. The controller resumes operation of the accumulator when (1) the level of the input signal is above the first threshold and (2) the blanking signal indicates that the power amplifier is enabled.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing an internal optical communication link in a power amplifier system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a power amplifier system that includes a panel, an optical link, and a controller. The panel includes a plurality of signal endpoints and a first optical interface, the first optical interface being coupled to each of the plurality of signal endpoints. The optical link is coupled to the first optical interface. The controller is configured to manage operation of the power amplifier system and is coupled to the optical link via a second optical interface. The controller communicates with each of the plurality of signal endpoints over the optical link.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling the output of a power amplifier are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a system that includes a power amplifier and a controller coupled to the power amplifier to form a feedback loop. The power amplifier is enabled or disabled in response to a blanking signal. The controller includes an accumulator that stores an accumulated error of the feedback loop. The controller suspends operation of the accumulator when (1) a level of the input signal is below a first threshold for an amount of time that exceeds a second threshold, (2) the blanking signal indicates that the power amplifier is disabled, or (3) both. The controller resumes operation of the accumulator when (1) the level of the input signal is above the first threshold and (2) the blanking signal indicates that the power amplifier is enabled.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing an internal optical communication link in a power amplifier system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a power amplifier system that includes a panel, an optical link, and a controller. The panel includes a plurality of signal endpoints and a first optical interface, the first optical interface being coupled to each of the plurality of signal endpoints. The optical link is coupled to the first optical interface. The controller is configured to manage operation of the power amplifier system and is coupled to the optical link via a second optical interface. The controller communicates with each of the plurality of signal endpoints over the optical link.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling the output of a power amplifier are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a system that includes a power amplifier and a controller coupled to the power amplifier to form a feedback loop. The power amplifier is enabled or disabled in response to a blanking signal. The controller includes an accumulator that stores an accumulated error of the feedback loop. The controller suspends operation of the accumulator when (1) a level of the input signal is below a first threshold for an amount of time that exceeds a second threshold, (2) the blanking signal indicates that the power amplifier is disabled, or (3) both. The controller resumes operation of the accumulator when (1) the level of the input signal is above the first threshold and (2) the blanking signal indicates that the power amplifier is enabled.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing an internal optical communication link in a power amplifier system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a power amplifier system that includes a panel, an optical link, and a controller. The panel includes a plurality of signal endpoints and a first optical interface, the first optical interface being coupled to each of the plurality of signal endpoints. The optical link is coupled to the first optical interface. The controller is configured to manage operation of the power amplifier system and is coupled to the optical link via a second optical interface. The controller communicates with each of the plurality of signal endpoints over the optical link.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing an internal optical communication link in a power amplifier system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a power amplifier system that includes a panel, an optical link, and a controller. The panel includes a plurality of signal endpoints and a first optical interface, the first optical interface being coupled to each of the plurality of signal endpoints. The optical link is coupled to the first optical interface. The controller is configured to manage operation of the power amplifier system and is coupled to the optical link via a second optical interface. The controller communicates with each of the plurality of signal endpoints over the optical link.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling the output of a power amplifier are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a system that includes a power amplifier and a controller coupled to the power amplifier to form a feedback loop. The power amplifier is enabled or disabled in response to a blanking signal. The controller includes an accumulator that stores an accumulated error of the feedback loop. The controller suspends operation of the accumulator when (1) a level of the input signal is below a first threshold for an amount of time that exceeds a second threshold, (2) the blanking signal indicates that the power amplifier is disabled, or (3) both. The controller resumes operation of the accumulator when (1) the level of the input signal is above the first threshold and (2) the blanking signal indicates that the power amplifier is enabled.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a combiner for an RF amplifier comprising wiring and a transmission line transformer. The transmission line transformer may include a ferrite core having a hole defined therein; a coaxial cable having a first dielectric constant and routed through the hole of the ferrite core; and a stripline having a second dielectric constant and routed around the ferrite core. In some embodiments, an electrical length of the stripline is matched to an electrical length of the coaxial cable. The electrical length of the coaxial cable may be defined by the first dielectric constant and the electrical length of the stripline may be defined by the second dielectric constant.

Abstract: In general, an RF power amplifier comprises a controller, a driver, a splitter, a final stage, and a combiner coupled together to function as the RF power amplifier. One or more of the above components are arranged on one or more motherboards, e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB). A heat sink defines a base of the RF power amplifier, and in some embodiments includes at least two grooves formed therein, wherein the electrical components of the splitter and electrical components of the controller fit within one or more of the grooves so that these components can substantially disposed within the heat sink. In some embodiments, a power rail is also provided, and is also disposed substantially within the heat sink. The power rail groove of the heat sink and the carrier of the final stage provide an EMI shield of the power rail.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a combiner for an RF amplifier comprising wiring and a transmission line transformer. The transmission line transformer may include a ferrite core having a hole defined therein; a coaxial cable having a first dielectric constant and routed through the hole of the ferrite core; and a stripline having a second dielectric constant and routed around the ferrite core. In some embodiments, an electrical length of the stripline is matched to an electrical length of the coaxial cable. The electrical length of the coaxial cable may be defined by the first dielectric constant and the electrical length of the stripline may be defined by the second dielectric constant.

Abstract: In general, an RF power amplifier comprises a controller, a driver, a splitter, a final stage, and a combiner coupled together to function as the RF power amplifier. One or more of the above components are arranged on one or more motherboards, e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB). A heat sink defines a base of the RF power amplifier, and in some embodiments includes at least two grooves formed therein, wherein the electrical components of the splitter and electrical components of the controller fit within one or more of the grooves so that these components can substantially disposed within the heat sink. In some embodiments, a power rail is also provided, and is also disposed substantially within the heat sink. The power rail groove of the heat sink and the carrier of the final stage provide an EMI shield of the power rail.

Abstract: A system including a power amplifier and a pre-distortion module coupled to the power amplifier. The pre-distortion module includes one or more smaller versions of the power amplifier to generate a pre-distortion signal that compensates for any memory-effect or inertia present in the power amplifier with application on frequency hopping and larger (up to 1 octave) instantaneous bandwidth communication systems.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for a vehicle includes a seat or overhead video display unit, a control and audio unit that is associated with and located remotely with respect to the video display unit, a first wireless transceiver associated with the video display unit, a second wireless transceiver associated with the control and audio unit, where the first and second wireless transceivers are linked together for communication. The video display unit receives audiovisual content and splits audio content for transmission to the control unit. The control unit can similarly transmit control and selection information to the video display unit.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle includes a server that includes a real time operating system, at least one cabin function application that runs on the real time operating system, and at least one in-flight entertainment application that runs on another operating system on top of the real time operating system. Thus, an in-operation entertainment system is capable of providing audio and/or visual content to a large number of locations in a cabin of the vehicle, and a cabin function system is capable of providing various cabin applications, e.g., lighting level control, attendant calling, air conditioning control, etc. at different locations in the vehicle cabin in a manner that is isolated and prioritized over the entertainment system.

Abstract: A system including a power amplifier and a pre-distortion module coupled to the power amplifier. The pre-distortion module includes one or more smaller versions of the power amplifier to generate a pre-distortion signal that compensates for any memory-effect or inertia present in the power amplifier with application on frequency hopping and larger (up to 1 octave) instantaneous bandwidth communication systems.

Abstract: A wireless communication system for a vehicle includes a seat or overhead video display unit, a control and audio unit that is associated with and located remotely with respect to the video display unit, a first wireless transceiver associated with the video display unit, a second wireless transceiver associated with the control and audio unit, where the first and second wireless transceivers are linked together for communication. The video display unit receives audiovisual content and splits audio content for transmission to the control unit. The control unit can similarly transmit control and selection information to the video display unit.

Abstract: A software architecture for integrating an in-flight entertainment system and a vehicle cabin functions system. A first network serves the in-flight entertainment system, and a second network serves the vehicle cabin functions system. A first set of common functions is available via the first network, and a second set of common functions is available via the second network. At least one interface links the first and second sets of common functions and is adapted to link at least one additional service to at least one of the first and second networks.

Abstract: A communication system for a vehicle includes a server that includes a real time operating system, at least one cabin function application that runs on the real time operating system, and at least one in-flight entertainment application that runs on another operating system on top of the real time operating system. Thus, an in-operation entertainment system is capable of providing audio and/or visual content to a large number of locations in a cabin of the vehicle, and a cabin function system is capable of providing various cabin applications, e.g., lighting level control, attendant calling, air conditioning control, etc. at different locations in the vehicle cabin in a manner that is isolated and prioritized over the entertainment system.