Signal processing method and power amplifier device

1. A method for processing signals for transmission, comprising:

decomposing an original signal into a plurality of smaller constant-amplitude signals with variable phases, wherein a vector sum of each of the smaller constant-amplitude signals equals the original signal;

amplifying the smaller constant-amplitude signals by an amplification factor using a plurality of amplifiers, wherein one or more of the plurality of amplifiers are enabled based on an amplitude of the original signal, wherein a number of the plurality of amplifiers that are enabled for amplification is determined by:

setting the maximum number of amplifiers available N, wherein 1/N equals the amplitude T of one smaller constant-amplitude signal being input to one of the amplifiers;

determining the amplitude A e of the original signal;

determining a number of amplifiers to be enabled M, where M=1+floor(A e /T) where floor(A e /T) is the integer part of (A e /T) and T is an amplitude of one smaller constant-amplitude signal being input to one of the amplifiers; and

determining the phase Φ i of each operating branch i=1, . . . , M; and

combining the amplified smaller signals into the original signal, the original signal being amplified by the amplification factor, wherein the amplified original signal is transmitted.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the phase Φ i of each operating branch i=1, . . . , M is determined by:

determining the phase Φ e of the original signal S e ;

computing the partial amplitude of the original signal S e to be outphased as P=A e −(M−2) T;

outphasing at least a portion of the original signal S e of amplitude P and phase Φ e into two signals, a first signal of amplitude T and phase Φ e1 and a second signal of amplitude T and phase Φ e2 ;

assigning the phases of M−2 operating branches as Φ i =Φ e , i=1, . . . , M−2; and

assigning the phases of the two outphased operating branches as Φ M-1 =Φ e1 , and Φ M =Φ e2 .

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of amplifiers are part of an amplifier array.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one or more of the plurality of amplifiers are non-linear.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the smaller constant amplitude signals are represented by vectors with variable-phase and constant-amplitude components.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the amplified original signal is at least one of transmitted and received over a wireless communications network.

7. A power amplifier device that receives an original signal to be transmitted, comprising:

a decomposer that decomposes the original signal into a plurality of smaller constant-amplitude signals, wherein a vector sum each of the smaller constant-amplitude signals equals the original signal;

a plurality of amplifiers that amplifies the smaller constant-amplitude signals by an amplification factor, wherein one or more of the plurality of amplifiers are enabled based on an amplitude of the original signal;

a combiner that combines the amplified smaller constant-amplitude signals into the original signal, the original signal being amplified by the amplification factor, wherein the amplified original signal is transmitted;

wherein a number of the plurality of amplifiers that are enabled for amplification is determined by:

setting the maximum number of amplifiers available N, wherein 1/N equals the amplitude T of one smaller constant-amplitude signal being input to one of the amplifiers;

determining the amplitude A e of the original signal; and

determining a number of amplifiers to be enabled M, where M=1+floor(A e /T) where floor(A e /T) is the integer part of (A e /T) and T is an amplitude of one smaller constant-amplitude signal being input to one of the amplifiers; and

determining the phase Φ i of each operating branch i=1, . . . , M.

8. The power amplifier device of claim 7 , wherein the phase Φ i of each operating branch i=1, . . . , M is determined by:

determining the phase Φ e of the original signal S e ;

computing the partial amplitude of the original signal S e to be outphased as P=A e −(M−2) T;

outphasing at least a portion of the original signal S e of amplitude P and phase Φ e into two signals, a first signal of amplitude T and phase Φ e1 and a second signal of amplitude T and phase Φ e2 ;

assigning the phases of M−2 operating branches as Φ i =Φ e , i=1, . . . , M−2; and

assigning the phases of the two outphased operating branches as Φ M-1 =Φ e1 , and Φ M =Φ e2 .

9. The power amplifier device of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of amplifiers are part of an amplifier array.

10. The power amplifier device of claim 7 , wherein at least one or more of the plurality of amplifiers are non-linear.

11. The power amplifier device of claim 7 , wherein the smaller constant-amplitude signals are represented by vectors with variable-phase and constant-amplitude components.

12. The power amplifier device of claim 7 , wherein the amplified original signal is at least one of transmitted and received over a wireless communications network.

13. An electronic device that transmits signals over a wireless communications network, comprising:

a power amplifier device that receives an original signal to be transmitted, comprising: a decomposer that decomposes the original signal into a plurality of smaller constant-amplitude signals, wherein a vector sum each of the smaller constant-amplitude signals equals the original signal;

a plurality of amplifiers that amplifies the smaller constant-amplitude signals by an amplification factor, wherein one or more of the plurality of amplifiers are enabled based on an amplitude of the original signal;

a combiner that combines the amplified smaller constant-amplitude signals into the original signal, the original signal being amplified by the amplification factor; and

a transmitter that transmits the amplified original signal;

wherein a number of the plurality of amplifiers that are enabled for amplification is determined by:

setting the maximum number of amplifiers available N, wherein 1/N equals the amplitude T of one smaller constant-amplitude signal being input to one of the amplifiers;

determining the amplitude A e of the original signal; and

determining a number of amplifiers to be enabled M, where M=1+floor(A e /T) where floor(A e /T) is the integer part of (A e /T) and T is an amplitude of one smaller constant-amplitude signal being input to one of the amplifiers; and

determining the phase Φ i of each operating branch i=1, . . . , M.

14. The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the phase Φ i of each operating branch i=1, . . . , M is determined by:

determining the phase Φ e of the original signal S e ;

computing the partial amplitude of the original signal S e to be outphased as P=A e −(M−2) T;

outphasing at least a portion of the original signal S e of amplitude P and phase Φ e into two signals, a first signal of amplitude T and phase Φ e1 and a second signal of amplitude T and phase Φ e2 ;

assigning the phases of M−2 operating branches as Φ i =Φ e , i=1, . . . , M−2; and

assigning the phases of the two outphased operating branches as Φ M-1 =Φ e1 , and Φ M =Φ e2 .

15. The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of amplifiers are part of an amplifier array.

16. The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein at least one or more of the plurality of amplifiers are non-linear.

17. The electronic device of claim 13 , wherein the smaller constant-amplitude signals are represented by vectors with variable-phase and constant-amplitude components.