With Control Of Power Supply Or Bias Voltage Patents (Class 330/127)
  • Publication number: 20140103995
    Abstract: A control circuit and a method for controlling an operation of a power amplifier core are provided. The power amplifier core is switchable between an envelope tracking operation mode and a non-envelope tracking operation mode. The control circuit is configured to provide a control signal for controlling the operation of the power amplifier core or to process an amplified signal received from the power amplifier core in dependence on the operation mode of the power amplifier core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Andreas Langer
  • Publication number: 20140104003
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an operational amplifier circuit, in which a power supply of an amplifying circuit is coupled to a first voltage clamping circuit, and the first voltage clamping circuit clamps a supply voltage of the amplifying circuit when the supply voltage exceeds a normal-operation allowable voltage of the amplifying circuit. The disclosure also provides a method for implementing the operational amplifier circuit. According to the disclosure, the operational circuit may be avoided from subject to an excessive supply voltage, which may damage devices in the amplifying circuit of the operational amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Huang, Hongtao LV, Yangfang Li
  • Patent number: 8700093
    Abstract: A wireless communication system base station (20) includes a base station transceiver (26) that has at least one operative component (32) for facilitating wireless communications. A current limiting device (36) includes at least one field effect transistor for selectively controlling current flow to a capacitive stability device (34) associated with at least one of the operative components (32). In the disclosed example, the current limiting device (36) is in series with the capacitive stability device (34) but in parallel with the operative component (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: 8631654 Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Igor Golioto
  • Publication number: 20140091861
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a high-speed power supply providing a first output, operating in conjunction with an externally supplied DC source or low frequency power supply which provides a second output. A frequency blocking power combiner circuit combines the first and second outputs to generate a third output in order to drive a load, while providing frequency-selective isolation between the first and second outputs. A feedback circuit coupled to the combined, third output compares this combined, third output with a predetermined control signal and generates a control signal for controlling the high-speed power supply, based on a difference between the third output and the predetermined control signal. The feedback circuit does not control the DC source or the low frequency power supply, but controls only the high-speed power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Quantance, Inc.
    Inventors: Serge Francois Drogi, Martin A. Tomasz
  • Patent number: 8686792
    Abstract: A supply voltage controller 11 includes a simplified envelope creating unit 111 that calculates an envelope of an input audio signal according to an input audio signal from an external device, creates a supply voltage control signal so that a waveform of the supply voltage control signal follows a waveform of the envelope, and outputs the supply voltage control signal to a voltage variable power supply 12 a constant time before the input audio signal is amplified by the amplifier 14. Accordingly, an amplifying device can be provided which can reduce the distortion of the output signal not depending on a change in the slew rate of the voltage variable power supply 12 and suppress the deterioration of power efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Rintaro Sukegawa, Seigo Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20140087677
    Abstract: A power control method for controlling a bias voltage of a power amplifier in a transmitting device having the power amplifier is provided. The power control method includes estimating a Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) during signal transmission using basis information that is configured for communication in the transmitting device and controlling a bias voltage of the power amplifier based on the estimated PAPR.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Wook SONG, Joo-Han KIM, Dong-Kyoon CHO
  • Patent number: 8680916
    Abstract: There is disclosed a power supply stage, comprising: generating means for generating a power supply voltage from a high efficiency variable voltage supply in dependence on a reference signal; adjusting means for receiving the generated power supply voltage, and adapted to provide an adjusted selected power supply voltage tracking the reference signal in dependence thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nujira Limited
    Inventors: Martin Paul Wilson, Shane Flint
  • Publication number: 20140077875
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for controlling operations of a power amplifier in a wireless transmitter. During operation, the system receives a baseband signal to be transmitted, and dynamically switches an operation mode of the power amplifier between a high power back-off mode having a first power back-off factor and a normal mode having a second power back-off factor based on a level of the baseband signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: AVIACOMM INC.
    Inventors: Hans Wang, Tao Li, Binglei Zhang, Shih Hsiung Mo
  • Publication number: 20140077876
    Abstract: A wireless communication system includes: a switching capacitor; a multi-way switch, having at least a first voltage input port, a second voltage input port, and an intermediate voltage input port, coupled to the switching capacitor; and a CORDIC processor, coupled to the multi-way switch, configured to select the first voltage input port, the second voltage input port, or the intermediate voltage input port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gennady Feygin, Inyup Kang
  • Patent number: 8674759
    Abstract: A power management system, notably for a dual travelling wave tube amplifier, includes: two travelling wave tubes, each comprising one Anode Zero electrode, and an electronic power conditioner, the power management system being implemented in said electronic power conditioner and including power management means associated with each travelling wave tube, configured for setting the Anode Zero electrode voltage to a determined minimum value when a sleep mode is activated, the power management means maintaining the travelling wave tube operating power at a value below its nominal working range. A sleep mode can advantageously be combined with an RF-Mute mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Etienne Cuignet, Denis Andrin, Emile Tonello
  • Patent number: 8674760
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a dynamic power control method utilized in an amplifier. The dynamic power control method includes detecting an absolute difference between a positive supply voltage of the amplifier and an output voltage of the amplifier, to acquire a positive voltage difference; detecting an absolute difference between a negative supply voltage of the amplifier and the output voltage of the amplifier, to acquire a negative voltage difference; and adjusting the positive supply voltage and the negative supply voltage according to the positive voltage difference, the negative voltage difference and a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Anpec Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Yen Chen, Ming-Hung Chang
  • Publication number: 20140062590
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply converter and a parallel amplifier are disclosed. The switch mode power supply converter is coupled to a modulated power supply output and the parallel amplifier has a parallel amplifier output coupled to the modulated power supply output. Further, the parallel amplifier has a group of output stages, such that each output stage is directly coupled to the parallel amplifier output and each output stage receives a separate supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse
  • Publication number: 20140064523
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a system for amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source includes an impedance converter having an input node configured to be coupled to a first terminal of the capacitive signal source, and an adjustable capacitive network having a first node configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the capacitive signal source and a second node coupled to an output node of the impedance converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Michael Kropfitsch, Andreas Wiesbauer
  • Patent number: 8665018
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for providing a differential interface for an envelope tracking signal is described. The integrated circuit includes a subtraction module having a first input for receiving a digital envelope tracking signal and a second input for receiving a second signal, wherein the subtraction module is arranged to subtract the second signal from the digital envelope tracking signal and produce an envelope tracking signal with a reduced average direct current (DC) component; a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) arranged to receive the envelope tracking signal with the reduced average DC component and produce a differential analog version thereof; and a modulator operably coupled to a differential output of the DAC, wherein the modulator comprises a DC input point arranged to insert a DC component into the differential analog version of the envelope tracking signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Richard Strange, Paul Fowers
  • Patent number: 8665016
    Abstract: A power amplifier includes generation, tracking and usage of an envelope of an input RF signal. To improve upon the efficiency of the power amplifier, various configurations include using the tracked envelope, for example, an OFDM signal, to improve the average efficiency. Suitable hardware/software in the form of circuitry, logic gates, and/or code functions to generate and track an envelope of an input RF signal and modulate one or more of the input supply voltage, cascode gate bias or parallel PA branches using the tracked envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Debopriyo Chowdhury, Ali Afsahi
  • Patent number: 8665015
    Abstract: A power amplifier circuit, comprising: an input for receiving an input signal to be amplified; a power supply; an amplifier, coupled to the input and the power supply; and a cascode device coupled between the power supply and the amplifier. The circuit is characterized by: a first current source coupled between the input and the amplifier, configured to provide a biasing current which is proportional to absolute temperature; and a second current source for controlling the cascode device, configured to provide a current which is complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited
    Inventor: Konstantinos Manetakis
  • Publication number: 20140057684
    Abstract: Configuration-feedback circuitry and transceiver circuitry are disclosed. The configuration-feedback circuitry regulates an output power from a radio frequency power amplifier based on a difference between a target output power from the radio frequency power amplifier and a measured output power from the radio frequency power amplifier. The transceiver circuitry regulates a modulated power supply voltage, which is used by the radio frequency power amplifier to provide power for amplification, based on the difference between the target output power from the radio frequency power amplifier and the measured output power from the radio frequency power amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Nadim Khlat
  • Publication number: 20140055197
    Abstract: A power management system, which includes a parallel amplifier circuit and a switch mode power supply converter, is disclosed. The switch mode power supply converter cooperatively operates with the parallel amplifier circuit to form the power management system. The power management system operates in one of a high power modulation mode, a medium power modulation mode, and a low power average power tracking mode. Further, during the high power modulation mode and the medium power modulation mode, the power management system controls a power amplifier supply voltage to a radio frequency power amplifier to provide envelope tracking. During the low power average power tracking mode, the power management system controls the power amplifier supply voltage to the radio frequency power amplifier to provide average power tracking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Phillippe Gorisse, Christopher Truong Ngo
  • Patent number: 8659355
    Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-stage amplifier comprising: a first amplifier stage; a second amplifier stage; a first voltage supply stage arranged to provide a supply voltage to the first amplifier in dependence on an average power of a signal to be amplified; and a second voltage supply stage arranged to provide a supply voltage to the second amplifier in dependence on an instantaneous power of a signal to be amplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nujira Limited
    Inventors: Robert Henshaw, Gerard Wimpenny
  • Patent number: 8659356
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention a power supply circuit of a power amplifier and a terminal, relating to the communication field. The power supply circuit of the power amplifier includes a direct current/direct current converter chip, where the direct current/direct current converter chip includes an input pin, an inductance pin, and a feedback pin, and the input pin is connected to a power supply and the inductance pin is connected to a voltage input end of the power amplifier through an LC storage circuit. A control circuit is connected between the voltage input end of the power amplifier and the feedback pin; the control circuit includes a control voltage, where the control voltage adjusts the voltage at the voltage input end of the power amplifier through the control circuit and the control voltage is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zexu Qian
  • Publication number: 20140049317
    Abstract: A power amplifier circuit, comprising: an input for receiving an input signal to be amplified; a power supply; an amplifier, coupled to the input and the power supply; and a cascode device coupled between the power supply and the amplifier. The circuit is characterized by: a first current source coupled between the input and the amplifier, configured to provide a biasing current which is proportional to absolute temperature; and a second current source for controlling the cascode device, configured to provide a current which is complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited
    Inventor: Konstantinos Manetakis
  • Patent number: 8653891
    Abstract: Embodiments of power amplification devices are described that include a power amplification circuit, a first voltage regulation circuit, and a second voltage regulation circuit. The voltage regulation circuits are configured to provide regulated voltages to the power amplification circuit. The power amplification device also includes a threshold detection circuit to get better maximum output power performance while preserving power efficiency. The threshold detection circuit is configured to increase a voltage adjustment gain of the first voltage regulation circuit when a regulated voltage level of regulated voltage from the second voltage regulation circuit reaches a threshold voltage level. In this manner, the voltage adjustment gain can be increased when the second voltage regulation circuit is close to or has railed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars Sandahl Ubbesen, Erik Pedersen, Søren Deleuran Laursen
  • Patent number: 8653902
    Abstract: Provided is a transmission circuit that operates highly efficiently by avoiding deterioration of the linearity of an output signal and suppressing occurrence of distortion of the output signal, when using the envelope tracking method. In this transmission circuit, offset control section (160) sets voltage that makes the corrected envelope signal level equal to or higher than the delayed envelope signal level, as offset voltage. By this means, the corrected envelope signal level becomes equal to or higher than the delayed envelope signal level, so that it is possible to prevent the power supply voltage from being lower than the optimal power supply voltage, making it possible to prevent the linearity of an output signal from deteriorating in power amplifier (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Ryo Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8648659
    Abstract: A digital pre-distortion (DPD) power amplifying apparatus and a method for digitally controlling synchronization of the DPD power amplifying apparatus, which includes a power amplifier, a bias shifter and a DPD unit, are provided. The method includes acquiring a DPD path delay time at a path along which an input signal is fed back to the DPD unit; delaying an input signal incoming to the power amplifier by the DPD path delay time and acquiring synchronization by delaying a bias signal a predetermined number of times until the bias signal and the delayed input signal are synchronized with each other; and in response to synchronization between the bias signal and the delayed input signal being established, pre-distorting the input signal according to a feedback signal output from the power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jung-Hoon Oh, Joon-Hyung Kim, Gweon-Do Jo, Young-Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8643435
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for expanding an operation region in an envelope tracking power amplifier are provided. The apparatus for amplifying power of a transmission signal includes an amplitude component determination unit, a supply modulator, and a power amplify module. The amplitude component determination unit determines an amplitude component of a transmission signal. The supply modulator generates a supply voltage to be provided to the power amplify module depending on the amplitude component of the transmission signal determined by the amplitude component determination unit. The power amplify module amplifies power of the transmission signal depending on the supply voltage generated by the supply modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-Sun Lim, Hee-Sang Noh, Young-Eil Kim, Bok-Ju Park, Sang-Hyun Baek, Ji-Seon Paek, Jun-Seok Yang
  • Publication number: 20140028390
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to devices and methods for sharing an energy storage element within an electronic device. A device may include a plurality of transmit paths. The device may further include a voltage supply including an energy storage element coupled to each transmit path of the plurality of transmit paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Roy Howard Davis
  • Publication number: 20140022012
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switched mode power supply comprising at least one switch and at least one inductor, the at least one switch being arranged to connect one terminal of the at least one inductor to one of a plurality of supply voltages, the other terminal of the at least one inductor providing a supply output, and further comprising a capacitor connected in parallel with the at least one inductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Martin Paul Wilson
  • Patent number: 8633766
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description relate to a pseudo-envelope follower power management system including a parallel amplifier and a switch mode power supply converter cooperatively coupled to generate a power supply voltage at a power supply output coupled to a linear RF power amplifier. The parallel amplifier output is in communication with the power amplifier supply output. The parallel amplifier governs operation of the switch mode power supply converter and regulates the power amplifier supply voltage base on a VRAMP signal. The parallel amplifier circuit includes an open loop high frequency compensation assist circuit that generates a high frequency ripple compensation current based on an estimate of the high frequency ripple currents contained in a ripple current of the power inductor. The high frequency ripple compensation current is injected into the parallel amplifier circuit output to cancel out high frequency ripple currents at the power amplifier supply output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay, Philippe Gorisse
  • Patent number: 8633768
    Abstract: To provide an envelope tracking type amplifier that has high efficiency and small fluctuations, an output unit supplies an output signal that is adjusted corresponding to an input signal to a power supply terminal of the amplifier. The output unit includes an analog amplifying circuit that amplifies the input signal; a digital circuit that selectively outputs a first voltage or a second voltage that is lower than the first voltage; and first and second output circuits. The first output circuit includes a first integrating circuit that integrates an output signal of the digital circuit; and a combining section that combines an output signal of the first integrating circuit and an output signal of the analog amplifying circuit and outputs the combined signal to a power supply terminal of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20140009227
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply converter, a parallel amplifier, and a parallel amplifier output impedance compensation circuit are disclosed. The switch mode power supply converter provides a switching voltage and generates an estimated switching voltage output, which is indicative of the switching voltage. The parallel amplifier generates a power amplifier supply voltage at a power amplifier supply output based on a compensated VRAMP signal. The parallel amplifier output impedance compensation circuit provides the compensated VRAMP signal based on a combination of a VRAMP signal and a high frequency ripple compensation signal. The high frequency ripple compensation signal is based on a difference between the VRAMP signal and the estimated switching voltage output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Kay, Nadim Khlat
  • Patent number: 8626092
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a current multiplier that can generate an output current with high linearity and/or high temperature compensation. Such current multipliers can be implemented by complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuit elements. In one embodiment, the current multiplier can include a current divider and a core current multiplier. The current divider can generate a divided current by dividing an input current by an adjustable division ratio. The division ratio can be adjusted, for example, based on a comparison of the input current with a reference current. The core current multiplier can generate the output current based on multiplying the divided current and a different current. According to certain embodiments, the output current can be maintained within a predetermined range as the input current to the current divider varies within a relatively wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Liu, Duane A. Green, David Anthony Sawatzky
  • Publication number: 20130342270
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to envelope power supply calibration of a multi-mode RF power amplifier (PA) to ensure adequate headroom when operating using one of multiple communications modes. The communications modes may include multiple modulation modes, a half-duplex mode, a full-duplex mode, or any combination thereof. As such, each communications mode may have specific peak-to-average power and linearity requirements for the multi-mode RF PA. As a result, each communications mode may have corresponding envelope power supply headroom requirements. The calibration may include determining a saturation operating constraint based on calibration data obtained during saturated operation of the multi-mode RF PA. During operation of the multi-mode RF PA, the envelope power supply may be restricted to provide a minimum allowable magnitude based on an RF signal level of the multi-mode RF PA, the communications mode, and the saturation operating constraint to provide adequate headroom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Baxter, Jason Millard, Roman Zbigniew Arkiszewski, Steven Selby
  • Patent number: 8615207
    Abstract: Linearizers can improve the linearity of power amplifiers by canceling or reducing amplitude of non-linearity components, (e.g., IM3, IM5, IM7, IM9, etc.) generated by the power amplifier. The linearizers can obtain samples of signals output by the power amplifier and process the samples to produce a compensation signal that is applied onto or into a transmission path leading to the power amplifier's input. The compensation signal is generated such that when amplified by the power amplifier, the amplified compensation signal cancels or reduces at least a portion of the non-linearity components produced by the power amplifier. A controller can improve the correction of the non-linearity components by executing one or more calibration algorithms and/or one or more tuning algorithms and adjusting settings of the linearizer based on the results of the algorithm(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelm Steffen Hahn, Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20130335142
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to the communication field and disclose a method and an apparatus for decreasing power consumption of a power amplifier, which minimize the power consumption of the power amplifier and extend the operation time of a mobile terminal. The method includes: obtaining a compensation power control value, where the compensation power control value is a power control value that is input to the power amplifier, and the minimum value of the input voltage is a minimum input voltage that can guarantee normal operation of the power amplifier when a preset power control value is input to the power amplifier; and inputting the minimum value of the input voltage and the compensation power control value to the power amplifier to control the power amplifier to output the preset power value of the antenna port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongsheng LIU, Jianhai SHEN
  • Patent number: 8610498
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: a rectification circuit operating to convert a source of AC power into a final DC power source; a rectification filtering capacitance operating to at least partially smooth a voltage of the final DC power source, which exhibits a voltage sag and recovery characteristic in response to time-variant current drawn therefrom; a power amplification circuit drawing power from the final DC power source and producing an output signal, for driving a speaker, having audible characteristics influenced by the voltage sag and recovery characteristic of the final DC power source; and a control circuit operating to continuously vary, in response to user input, one or more parameters of the voltage sag and/or recovery characteristic of the final DC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Peavey Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Paul James Stevens, John Calvin Fields, Hartley D. Peavey
  • Patent number: 8604875
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a high-speed power supply providing a first output, operating in conjunction with an externally supplied DC source or low frequency power supply which provides a second output. A frequency blocking power combiner circuit combines the first and second outputs to generate a third output in order to drive a load, while providing frequency-selective isolation between the first and second outputs. A feedback circuit coupled to the combined, third output compares this combined, third output with a predetermined control signal and generates a control signal for controlling the high-speed power supply, based on a difference between the third output and the predetermined control signal. The feedback circuit does not control the DC source or the low frequency power supply, but controls only the high-speed power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Quantance, Inc.
    Inventors: Serge Francois Drogi, Martin A. Tomasz
  • Publication number: 20130321077
    Abstract: A power amplification device is disclosed that includes a power amplification circuit operable to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal in accordance with an amplification gain, and a voltage regulation circuit operable to generate a regulated voltage. A regulated voltage level of the regulated voltage sets the amplification gain. To help prevent the voltage regulation circuit from saturating, the voltage regulation circuit is configured to reduce a voltage adjustment gain when the regulated voltage level reaches a threshold voltage level. In one embodiment, the threshold voltage level is set to be higher when a band-select signal indicates that the RF signal is being transmitted within a first frequency band, and is set to be lower when the band-select signal indicates that the RF signal is being transmitted within a second frequency band. The spectral performance of the power amplification device thus improves with regard to the second frequency band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Pedersen, Søren Deleuran Laursen, Jean-Christophe Berchtold
  • Publication number: 20130321076
    Abstract: Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating, by a switching controller, a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element, and generating an output voltage by filtering the switching voltage with an output inductor and a load capacitor. The method further includes generating an assisting current based on a value of current conducted through the output inductor, and assisting the load current by summing the assisting current with the current conducted through the inductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: R2 SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Pablo Moreno Galbis, James E.C. Brown
  • Patent number: 8599966
    Abstract: A data receiver, a method of operating a data receiver, and an integrated coupling system in a data receiver are disclosed. In one embodiment, the data receiver comprises an input terminal for receiving an input data signal, an input amplifier for amplifying selected components of the input data signal, and an input signal path for transmitting specified high-frequency components and a baseline component of the input data signal from the input terminal to the input amplifier. The data receiver further comprises a feed-forward resistive network connected to the input terminal and to the input amplifier. This feed forward resistive network is used to forward a low-frequency drift compensation signal from the input terminal to the input amplifier, using a passive resistive network, to compensate for low frequency variations in the input data signal, and to develop a desired bias voltage at the input amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Troy J. Beukema, Gautam Gangasani, Thomas H. Toifl
  • Publication number: 20130314153
    Abstract: Embodiments of power amplification devices are described that include a power amplification circuit, a first voltage regulation circuit, and a second voltage regulation circuit. The voltage regulation circuits are configured to provide regulated voltages to the power amplification circuit. The power amplification device also includes a threshold detection circuit to get better maximum output power performance while preserving power efficiency. The threshold detection circuit is configured to increase a voltage adjustment gain of the first voltage regulation circuit when a regulated voltage level of regulated voltage from the second voltage regulation circuit reaches a threshold voltage level. In this manner, the voltage adjustment gain can be increased when the second voltage regulation circuit is close to or has railed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Lars Sandahl Ubbesen, Erik Pedersen, Søren Deleuran Laursen
  • Publication number: 20130307617
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description relate to a pseudo-envelope follower power management system used to manage the power delivered to a linear RF power amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Publication number: 20130307615
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a DC-DC converter (DC-DC=direct current to direct current) for envelope tracking. The DC-DC converter includes a digital control stage and a driving stage. The digital control stage is configured to provide a digital control signal based on digital information describing an amplitude of a digital baseband transmit signal. The driving stage is configured to provide a supply voltage for an RF amplifier (RF=radio frequency) based on the digital control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Intel Mobile Communications GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Kuttner
  • Publication number: 20130307616
    Abstract: Circuitry, which includes a direct current (DC)-DC converter having a first switching power supply is disclosed. The first switching power supply includes a first switching converter, an energy storage element, a first inductive element, which is coupled between the first switching converter and the energy storage element, and a first snubber circuit, which is coupled across the first inductive element. The first switching power supply receives and converts a DC power supply signal to provide a first switching power supply output signal based on a setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: RF MICRO DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Berchtold, Chris Levesque, William David Southcombe, David E. Jones, Scott Yoder, Terry J. Stockert
  • Patent number: 8576011
    Abstract: An amplifier with high power supply rejection is disclosed. In an exemplary implementation, an amplifier includes a first stage configured to receive a signal to be amplified, a second stage comprising an input transistor coupled to the first stage, and further comprising at least one additional transistor, and a voltage regulator configured to received a first supply voltage and generate a regulated supply voltage, the first supply voltage coupled to the at least one additional transistor, the regulated supply voltage coupled to the first stage and the input transistor of the second stage to improve power supply noise rejection of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Vijayakumar Dhanasekaran
  • Patent number: 8570105
    Abstract: There is provided an amplification stage comprising: an input scaling block for scaling an input signal in dependence on an input scaling factor to generate a scaled version of the input signal; a power amplifier for generating an amplified version of the scaled input signal; an envelope detector for generating a signal representing the envelope of the input signal; an envelope scaling block for scaling the envelope signal in dependence on an envelope scaling factor to generate a scaled version of the envelope signal; a non-linear mapping block for generating a voltage representative of the supply voltage in dependence on the scaled envelope signal; a modulator for generating a power supply voltage for the amplifier in dependence on the voltage generated by the non-linear mapping block; and a power control block for maintaining a linear relationship between the envelope scaling factor and the input scaling factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nujira Limited
    Inventors: Gerard Wimpenny, Robert Henshaw
  • Patent number: 8570104
    Abstract: An amplifier assembly includes an input signal determiner that determines a first input signal and a second input signal based on an initial signal having an amplitude and an initial frequency. Amplifiers amplify the first and second input signal to form first and second output signals having a phase offset with respect to one another. The first and second amplified output signals are fed to a common coupling element that forms a useful signal and a loss signal, such that a total power of the useful signal and loss signal is independent of the phase offset, the power of the useful signal has a maximum corresponding to a predetermined value of the phase offset, and the partial power of the useful signal decreases with a deviation of the phase offset from the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Heid
  • Patent number: 8565674
    Abstract: A portable terminal operable in a tag mode a read mode and a method for operating the terminal are provided. The portable terminal includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) module including a plurality of amplifiers, a mode selector for controlling the plurality of amplifiers to perform a power supplying operation and a power cutting operation, a controller for outputting a control signal to the mode selector according to the tag mode and the read mode, and a selection signal line for transmitting the control signal to the mode selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Beom Seol, Jang Hyun Nam
  • Patent number: 8542848
    Abstract: The present invention provides embodiments of a musical instrument preamplifier. It is especially suited to acoustic and electric guitars and basses. All components, including the power source, are contained within or on the body of the instrument. The preamplifier dubbed BPTD (for Battery Powered Tube Driver) contains a vacuum tube input stage and may utilize a second stage consisting of either a vacuum tube or semiconductor device, such as a JFET. Circuitry is included to bias the cathode heater and the preamplifier circuit with no dangerous high voltages present. The tube may be mounted on the instrument body to provide for a pleasing display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas Joseph Krutsick
  • Patent number: 8542061
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a direct current (DC)-DC converter, which includes a charge pump based radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) envelope power supply and a charge pump based PA bias power supply. The DC-DC converter is coupled between RF PA circuitry and a DC power supply, such as a battery. As such, the PA envelope power supply provides an envelope power supply signal to the RF PA circuitry and the PA bias power supply provides a bias power supply signal to the RF PA circuitry. Both the PA envelope power supply and the PA bias power supply receive power via a DC power supply signal from the DC power supply. The PA envelope power supply includes a charge pump buck converter and the PA bias power supply includes a charge pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Levesque, William David Southcombe, David E. Jones, Scott Yoder, Terry J. Stockert
  • Publication number: 20130241669
    Abstract: A duplexing system may be used with an electronic device. The duplexing system may include a duplexer connected with an antenna. The duplexing system may include a balancing network. The balancing network may be connected with the duplexer, have an adjustable network impedance, and include an active component. The balancing network may be configured to adjust the network impedance to match an antenna impedance of the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mohyee Mikhemar, Hooman Darabi