Abstract: A transmit circuit includes a power amplifier configured to amplify an RF input signal to obtain an RF output signal, and an antenna tuner configured to transform an antenna impedance to an impedance at an input of the antenna tuner, wherein the input of the antenna tuner is coupled to an output of the power amplifier. The transmit circuit further includes a bias controller configured to control a bias of the power amplifier, wherein the bias controller is configured to provide a bias control signal to adjust the bias of the power amplifier based on a determination of a measure of a load impedance provided to the power amplifier by the antenna tuner.

Abstract: Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of a multi-use voltage regulator providing a supply voltage to a power amplifier and at least one other device are disclosed. One method includes generating a plurality of regulated voltage supplies from an unregulated voltage. An output signal power level of the power amplifier is determined. A one of the regulated plurality of voltage supplies and the unregulated voltage supply is selected as a power amplifier voltage supply for the power amplifier based at least in part on the output signal power level of the power amplifier. If the selected power amplifier voltage supply is one of the plurality of regulated voltage supplies, then the selected one of the plurality of regulated voltage supplies is simultaneously provided to the power amplifier and the at least one other device.

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.

Abstract: There is disclosed a power supply stage, and a method of controlling such, comprising: a means for generating an intermediate supply signal in dependence on a reference signal representing a desired power supply; and a plurality of adjusting means, each adapted to generate an adjusted supply signal tracking the reference signal, in dependence on the generated intermediate supply signal and the reference signal.

Abstract: A transmission module including a power supply voltage control unit that sets a power supply voltage to the high frequency amplifier in a variable manner, and a control circuit that controls an amplitude control unit, a phase control unit and the power supply voltage control unit. The control circuit and the power supply voltage control unit control the power supply voltage in accordance with an output power of the high frequency amplifier. The transmission module can carry out not only phase control but also amplitude control in a continuous manner, while suppressing amplitude and phase variation, and a high frequency amplifier in the transmission module is made highly efficient. In addition, a large directional gain, a low side lobe level and a low power consumption are achieved, as a phased array antenna apparatus using a transmission module.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power generating circuit including a first transistor in which a second control signal is applied to a control terminal and a first control signal is applied to one end, and which has the other end connected to an output terminal, a second transistor in which the first control signal is applied to a control terminal and the second control signal is applied to one end, and which has the other end connected to the output terminal a third transistor in which one of the first and the second control signals is applied to a control terminal and which has one end grounded, and a fourth transistor in which the other one thereof is applied to a control terminal and which has one end connected to the other end of the third transistor and the other end connected to the output terminal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.

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.

Abstract: A port securing module includes a power gate that is operable to be coupled in series to a power source and to a load. A resistor is coupled in parallel to the power gate. An operational amplifier includes an inverting input and a non-inverting input that couple the operational amplifier in parallel to each of the power gate and the resistor. The operational amplifier also includes an output that is operable to indicate whether a load is coupled to the power gate and, if a load is coupled to the power gate, supply a voltage to activate the power gate such that power is supplied to the load.

Abstract: A power amplifier of the present invention comprises MOS transistor (1) having a gate length of 180 nm or less, and output matching circuit (5) connected to a drain terminal of MOS transistor (1). Also, MOS transistor (1) is applied with voltage Vd_n normalized by a voltage value allowable in a DC state as a drain-source voltage, where Vd_n is in a range of 0.5 to 0.9. ZL (=RH+j·XL) represents a value equal to a load impedance when viewing the output matching circuit (5) from the drain terminal normalized by gate width W (mm) of MOS transistor (1), and a real part (RL) of the ZL is RL>0.64×Vd_n+0.19 (?·mm), and RL<0.64×Vd_n+1.73 (?·mm).

Abstract: A power amplifier (PA) envelope power supply, which provides an envelope power supply signal to radio frequency (RF) PA circuitry, and a process to prevent undershoot of the PA envelope power supply is disclosed. The process includes determining if an envelope control signal to the PA envelope power supply has a step change from a high magnitude to a low magnitude that exceeds a step change limit. Such a step change may cause undershoot of the PA envelope power supply. As such, if the step change exceeds the step change limit, the envelope control signal is modified to use an intermediate magnitude for period of time. Otherwise, if the step change does not exceed the step change limit, the envelope control signal is not modified.

Abstract: Described are amplifiers that facilitate high-speed communication with calibrated drive strength and termination impedance. Drivers and termination elements can be divided into a number N of parallel portions, one or more of which can be disabled and updated without interfering with signal (e.g., clock or data) transmission. Some embodiments identify inactive elements by examining incoming signals.

Abstract: A power amplifying apparatus has a GaN device for RF amplification, a GaN device for monitoring, an Idq detecting circuit, and a gate bias control (GBC) circuit. The GaN device for RF amplification amplifies an input signal to output the resultant. The GaN device for monitoring is an amplification device for monitoring an input/output signal of the GaN device for RF amplification. The Idq detecting circuit detects an output signal output by the GaN device for monitoring, corresponding to an input signal, which is diverged from the input signal to be input to the GaN device for RF amplification, and is input to the GaN device for monitoring. The gate bias control circuit controls a gate voltage to be applied to the GaN device for RF amplification in accordance with the output signal detected by the Idq detecting circuit.

Abstract: Techniques for providing multiple power supplies in electronic devices are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an appropriate power supply is provided only to accommodate a volume setting. In other words, there are at least two power supplies, one with a low voltage and the other with a high voltage. The high voltage power supply is only applied when there is a need to accommodate a volume setting. Thus the power consumption of the amplifiers is well controlled. As a result, the designs of the device and heat dissipation therein can be simplified and lowered in cost.

Abstract: A power amplifier (PA) envelope power supply and a process to select a converter operating mode of the PA envelope power supply are disclosed. The PA envelope power supply operates in one of a first converter operating mode and a second converter operating mode. The process for selecting the converter operating mode is based on a selected communications mode of a radio frequency (RF) communications system, a target output power from RF PA circuitry of the RF communications system, and a direct current (DC) power supply voltage.

Abstract: A direct current (DC)-DC converter and radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) circuitry are disclosed. The DC-DC converter provides an envelope power supply signal to the RF PA circuitry based on a first power supply output control signal. As a temperature of the RF PA circuitry changes, the envelope power supply signal may need to be adjusted to meet temperature compensation requirements of the RF PA circuitry. With adequate thermal coupling between the DC-DC converter and the RF PA circuitry, adjustments to the envelope power supply signal may be based on temperature measurements of the DC-DC converter. A desired correction of the first power supply output control signal is determined based on a measured temperature of the DC-DC converter and the temperature compensation requirements of the RF PA circuitry. The first power supply output control signal is adjusted based on the desired correction.

Abstract: A power amplifier module includes a first power amplifier, a second power amplifier, and a controlling module. The first power amplifier has an amplification set for optimal efficiency in accordance with most probable transmit power level settings within a transmit power level range. The second power amplifier has an amplification set for optimal efficiency in accordance with the most probable transmit power level settings within the transmit power level range. The controlling module is coupled to: enable one of the first and second power amplifiers to amplify an outbound radio frequency (RF) signal in accordance with a power setting when the power setting is not within the most probable transmit power level settings; and enable at least one of the first and second power amplifiers to amplify the outbound RF signal in accordance with the power setting when the power setting is within the most probable transmit power level settings.

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.

Abstract: A voltage converter can be switched among two or more modes to produce an output voltage tracking a reference voltage that can be of an intermediate level between discrete levels corresponding to the modes. One or more voltages generated from a power supply voltage, such as a battery voltage, can be compared with the reference voltage to determine whether to adjust the mode. The reference voltage can be independent of the power supply voltage.

Abstract: A multi-channel radio frequency (RF) generator module includes N power amplifiers, M drivers, a power supply module, and a control module. The N power amplifiers generate N RF outputs, respectively. The M drivers drive the N power amplifiers based on M driver control signals, respectively. The power supply module receives alternating current (AC) input power and applies L rail voltages to the N power amplifiers based on L rail voltage setpoints, respectively. The control module sets the L rail voltage setpoints and the M driver control signals. N is an integer greater than one, L and M are integers greater than zero, and M and L are less than or equal to N.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for high voltage amplification with low noise are provided. In one implementation, a high voltage low noise amplification apparatus includes a low noise broadband amplification circuit configured to amplify a first component of an input signal, the first component comprising a first subset of frequencies; an output isolator configured to create an isolated signal, the isolated signal being the input signal referenced against a broadband output of the low noise broadband amplification circuit; a low frequency amplification circuit configured to amplify a second component of the signal, the second component comprising a second subset of frequencies, wherein the second subset of frequencies is lower than the first subset; and a combination circuit configured to combine the broadband output with a low frequency output of the low frequency amplification circuit.

Abstract: A low power discrete-time electronic circuit includes an amplifier, and a variable current supply. The variable current supply is electrically connected to the amplifier, and is utilized for supplying high current to the amplifier during a switching operation and supplying low current to the amplifier during a non-switching period.

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.

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.

Abstract: A power supply injects a series of “tickle” pulses into a pulse width modulated (PWM) controller to induce the controller to generate PWM pulses at a minimum switching frequency, preferably one that is super-sonic (especially for audio applications). The switching frequency may also be selected or controlled such that it avoids resonances in the power supply. The “tickle” pulses may be clocked by the same clock that times the PWM controller, and they may be shaped to help ensure that the power supply maintains some regulation during low-load conditions.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit includes a power amplifier configured to amplify an RF input signal to obtain an RF output signal, and a bias controller configured to control a bias of the power amplifier. The bias controller is configured to determine a measure of a load impedance of a load coupled to an output of the power amplifier and provide a bias control signal to adjust the bias of the power amplifier based on the determination of the measure of the load impedance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of calibrating an envelope path and an input path of an amplification stage of an envelope tracking power supply, the method comprising matching the envelope path to at least one characteristic of at least one element of the input path.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus and methods for applying a gain to an input signal are provided. An embodiment of a switched-capacitor gain stage circuit includes an input node, an output node, an operational amplifier, a correlated-double-sampling portion, a correlated-level-shifting portion, and a switching configuration. The operational amplifier has a first amplifier input, a second amplifier input, and an amplifier output. The correlated-double-sampling portion includes a plurality of sampling capacitors arranged in parallel and selectively coupled between the input node and a central node, and an offset storage capacitor including a first terminal coupled to the first amplifier input. The correlated-level-shifting portion includes a correlated-level-shifting capacitor including a first terminal coupled to the output node.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for closed loop power control in wireless systems are provided. In this regard, an output power of an amplifier may be measured and an indication of the measured power may be compared to a reference signal. The results of the comparison are utilized to generate an error correction factor. The gain of a preamplifier may be adjusted utilizing the error correction factor, where the output of the preamplifier may be input to the amplifier. The error correction factor may be generated via a proportional integral derivative controller. The gain of the preamplifier may be adjusted via at least one control signal, where the at least one control signal may be generated based on a reference control word and the error correction factor. The indication of the measured power and the reference signal may be time aligned.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit and a method of signal amplification are provided. The amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier and a charge pump. The first amplifier includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The first terminal is coupled to a first external voltage. The second terminal is coupled to a negative voltage. The third terminal is coupled to a ground reference voltage. The charge pump is coupled to the first amplifier for providing the negative voltage transformed from a second external voltage.

Abstract: An auto bias system, device and/or method for automatically controlling the bias or quiescent point of at least one vacuum tube including separating bias current flow from signal current flow for controlling the bias/quiescent point by algorithmically adjusting the grid bias voltage whilst monitoring the cathode current to establish the correct bias current.

Abstract: An amplifying apparatus includes an amplifier that amplifies a signal, using a voltage supplied; a power source unit that generates a first voltage and a second voltage having an amplitude greater than that of the first voltage; and a switching controller that, when the an envelope signal of the signal becomes current zero, switches between and supplies to the amplifier, the first voltage and the second voltage generated by the power source unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for capacitive load reduction are disclosed. In one embodiment, a power amplifier system includes a power amplifier configured to amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal of a first frequency and an envelope tracker configured to control a supply voltage of the power amplifier using an envelope of the RF signal. The power amplifier system further includes an inductor electrically connected between the power amplifier and the envelope tracker and a capacitor electrically connected between the power amplifier and the envelope tracker. The capacitor and the inductor are configured to have a resonance near the first frequency.

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.

Abstract: An amplification device that amplifies a signal, the amplification device includes an amplification unit that amplifies the signal using supplied power, a variable power supply unit that changes the power supplied to the amplification unit in accordance with an envelope of the signal, a radiation unit that radiates light onto the amplification unit, and a control unit that controls the light to be emitted from the radiation unit in accordance with slope of the envelope of the signal.

Abstract: A F/2F waveform generator has a comparator and an analog multiplexer. In a low-cost magnetic card reader application, a magnetic track signal is amplified, filtered, and compared with a threshold signal to create a digital signal output. The analog multiplexer detects changes in state of the digital signal. When a change of state is detected, the analog multiplexer switches among dynamically tunable threshold signals. The selected threshold signal is used for comparison with the magnetic track signal. Switching level detection enables accurate F/2F waveform generation from relatively noisy magnetic track signals, thus improving the robustness of magnetic card readers. The analog implementation eliminates the need for expensive A/D conversion and processing and the design can be readily implemented in a very compact and low-cost package.

Abstract: A power tuning method determines values of a magnitude control signal that controls the magnitude of an amplitude-modulated power supply signal applied to a power supply port of a power amplifier of a polar transmitter and an amplitude control signal that controls the amplitude of a constant-envelope phase-modulated signal applied to a radio frequency input port of the power amplifier necessary to set the output power of the polar transmitter to a target output power. The method is repeated and performed for a plurality of different target output powers. Output-power-level dependent power control parameters calculated from the applied method are used to set the values of the magnitude control and amplitude control signals during normal operation.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier device (100) with improved gain resolution is achieved. The device includes a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) (110), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (160), an automatic level control (ALC) algorithm means (176), and a delta-sigma modulator (180). The PGA (110) is capable to receive and to amplify an analog input signal (154) to thereby generate an analog output signal (164). The PGA (110) includes an amplifier (160) and a switchable resistor network (120). The ADC (170) is coupled to the PGA (110) and is capable to convert the analog output signal (164) to a digital signal (174). The ALC algorithm means (176) is coupled to the ADC (170) and is capable to generate a control code (178) by processing the digital signal (174). The delta-sigma modulator (186) is coupled to the ALC algorithm means (186) and is capable to generate a pulse-density modulated (PDM) signal (182) by processing the control code (178).

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.

Abstract: A power amplifier system is provided that includes a power amplifier configured to receive an RF input. A DC-DC converter is coupled to the power amplifier. Clocking circuits drive the DC-DC converter. The clocking circuits use the RF input to generate a clock. The clock acts with the DC-DC converter to provide an output voltage used in the power amplifier.

Abstract: An automatic gain control device includes a variable-gain amplifier, a power detector, a gain control unit and a frequency response unit. The variable-gain amplifier is implemented for determining a gain according to a gain control signal and generating an amplified signal by amplifying a received signal according to the gain. The power detector is implemented for determining a power of a frequency response result and accordingly outputting a detection result. The gain control unit is implemented for outputting the gain control signal according to the detection result. The frequency response unit is implemented for performing a frequency response operation on the amplified signal to generate the frequency response result.

Abstract: A tracking power supply, a method for controlling a power supply, and a communication apparatus are disclosed. The tracking power supply includes: a basic voltage output unit, configured to provide a basic voltage; and a compensation voltage output unit, configured to provide a compensation voltage. The compensation voltage output unit and the basic voltage output unit are connected in series so as to provide a voltage which is the sum of the basic voltage and the compensation voltage for a load.

Abstract: A power amplifier (10) comprises: an A/D converter (11) for converting, to a time discrete signal, an envelope signal included in a high-frequency modulated signal and including only an amplitude modulated component of the high-frequency modulated signal; a switching amplifier (12) for amplifying the output signal of the A/D converter (11); a low-pass filter (13) for removing high frequency noise from the output signal of the switching amplifier (12); a plurality of high-frequency power amplifiers (15-1 to 15-n) for receiving the output signal of the low-pass filter (13) as a power supply and for amplifying a carrier signal included in the high-frequency modulated signal; and a power controller (14) for adjusting the average power of the output signal of the power amplifier (10) by controlling the total gains of the plurality of high-frequency power amplifiers (15-1 to 15-n).

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description relate to a pseudo-envelope follower power management system for managing the power delivered to a linear RF power amplifier. The pseudo-envelope follower power management system may include a switch mode power supply converter and a parallel amplifier cooperatively coupled to provide a linear RF power amplifier supply to the linear RF power amplifier. The pseudo-envelope follower power management system may include a charge pump configured to power the parallel amplifier. The charge pump may generate a plurality of output voltage levels. The charge pump may be either a boost charge pump or a boost/buck charge pump. The pseudo-envelope follower power management system may include an offset voltage control circuit configured to provide feedback to the switch mode power supply converter to regulate an offset voltage developed across a coupling device that couples the output of the parallel amplifier to the linear RF power amplifier supply.

Abstract: A distributed power converter is for use with an RF power amplifier and includes a primary converter connected to an input voltage and configured to provide an unregulated DC intermediate voltage that is galvanically isolated from the input voltage. Additionally, the distributed power converter also includes a secondary regulator connected galvanically to the unregulated DC intermediate voltage and configured to generate a regulated DC supply voltage for at least a portion of the RF power amplifier. In another aspect, a method of operating a distributed power converter is for use with an RF power amplifier and includes providing an unregulated DC intermediate voltage that is galvanically isolated from an input voltage and generating a regulated DC supply voltage for at least a portion of the RF power amplifier that is galvanically connected to the unregulated DC intermediate voltage.

Abstract: A power amplifier controller circuit controls a power amplifier based upon an amplitude correction signal indicating the amplitude difference between the amplitude of the input signal and an attenuated amplitude of the output signal. The power amplifier controller circuit comprises an amplitude control loop and a phase control loop. The amplitude control loop adjusts the supply voltage to the power amplifier based upon the amplitude correction signal. The RF power amplifier system may reduce the corrective action of the amplitude loop during periods of relatively rapid changes in amplitude, and thus distortion can be further reduced.

Abstract: There is provided an amplification control circuit that can adjust the amount of current being supplied to an amplifier according to a reference signal set beforehand. An amplification control circuit according to an aspect of the invention may include: a power supply section supplying a DC power set beforehand to at least one amplifier according to a reference signal set beforehand; a current control section detecting a current being supplied from the power supply section according to a ratio set beforehand and controlling the amount of current being supplied to the at least one amplifier from the power supply section; and a current adjustment section adjusting a level of the current being controlled by the current control section in order to increase or decrease the amount of current being supplied to the at least one amplifier from the power supply section.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for biasing a power amplifier are provided. In one embodiment, a packaged circuit includes a power amplifier, a bond wire electrically connected between a system voltage source and a supply input of the power amplifier, a current source, a reference resistor electrically connected between the system voltage source and the current source, and a comparator. The comparator is configured to compare a sense voltage that is based on a voltage across the bond wire to a reference voltage that is based on a voltage across the reference resistor. The comparator is configured to generate a saturation control signal for clamping a bias current of the power amplifier when the sense voltage exceeds the reference voltage.

Abstract: A power management system for a multi-carriers transmitter is disclosed. The power management system includes a first switcher having a control input and a power output, and a second switcher having a control input and a power output. Also included is a mode switch having a mode control input, wherein the mode switch is adapted to selectively couple the power output of the first switcher to the power output of the second switcher in response to a mode control signal received by the mode control input. Further included is a control system adapted to generate the mode control signal. The control system is coupled to the mode control input of the mode switch.

Abstract: A voltage control apparatus used for an electron tube or a power supply apparatus includes a detecting circuit for detecting current flowing through a helix electrode, a voltage-limiting circuit for controlling a potential difference between the helix electrode and the anode electrode based on a predetermined voltage level; and a switch for switching based on an output from the detecting circuit. The switch connects the helix electrode and the anode electrode through the voltage-limiting circuit, or causes a short circuit between the helix electrode and the anode electrode.