RF power transmission, modulation, and amplification, including harmonic control embodiments
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.
1. A method of at least one of power amplification and power modulation, comprising:
receiving information;
receiving a frequency reference signal;
generating two or more substantially constant envelope signals using at least said received information and said frequency reference signal;
receiving said substantially constant envelope signals at an amplifier;
controlling properties of said amplifier to control wave-shapes of output signals of said amplifier, wherein each of said output signals correspond to a respective one of said substantially constant envelope signals
combining said output signals to create a desired output signal, wherein the wave-shapes of the output signals are controlled such that power transferred to a fundamental harmonic of the desired output signal is increased.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said controlling step comprises:
manipulating real and imaginary power.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said controlling step comprises:
staggering biasing of transistors of said amplifier.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said bias staggering comprises:
turning on a first subset of said transistors, followed by turning on a second subset of said transistors.
5. An apparatus for at least one of power amplification and power modulation, comprising:
first circuitry operable to receive information;
second circuitry operable to receive a frequency reference signal;
third circuitry operable to generate two or more substantially constant envelope signals using at least said received information and said frequency reference signal;
fourth circuitry comprising an amplifier operable to receive said substantially constant envelope signals;
fifth circuitry operable to control properties of said amplifier to control wave-shapes of output signals of said amplifier, wherein each of said output signals correspond to a respective one of said substantially constant envelope signals; and
sixth circuitry operable to combine said output signals to create a desired output signal, wherein the fifth circuitry is operable to control wave-shapes of said output signals such that power transferred to a fundamental harmonic of the desired output signal is increased.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said fifth circuitry comprises:
circuitry operable to manipulate real and imaginary power.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein said fifth circuitry comprises:
seventh circuitry operable to stagger biasing of transistors of said amplifier.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said seventh circuitry comprises:
circuitry operable to turn on a first subset of said transistors, and to thereafter turn on a second subset of said transistors.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said seventh circuitry comprises:
impedances each having a first terminal coupled to a bias signal, and a second terminal coupled to one of said transistors.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said impedances are equal in value for all of said transistors.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein impedances for a first set of said transistors are equal to a first value, and impedances for a second set of said transistors are equal to a second value.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein impedances for said transistors differ in value.
13. A method of at least one of power amplification and power modulation, comprising:
receiving information;
receiving a frequency reference signal;
generating two or more substantially constant envelope signals using at least said received information and said frequency reference signal;
controlling a frequency spectrum of each of the substantially constant envelope signals;
amplifying said substantially constant envelope signals; and
combining said amplified substantially constant envelope signals, to create an output signal;
wherein the frequency spectrum of each of the substantially constant envelope signal is controlled to increase a power transferred to a fundamental harmonic of the output signal.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said amplifying step is performed using an amplifier, said controlling step comprising:
wave-shaping inputs of said amplifier.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said wave-shaping comprises:
wave-shaping inputs of each branch of said amplifier.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein said amplifying step is performed using an amplifier, said controlling step comprising:
waveshaping inputs of a pre-driver stage of said amplifier.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein said amplifying step is performed using an amplifier, said controlling step comprising:
waveshaping inputs of a driver stage of said amplifier.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein said amplifying step is performed using an amplifier, said controlling step comprising:
waveshaping inputs of a pre-driver stage and inputs of a driver stage of said amplifier.
19. The method of claim 13 , wherein said controlling step comprises:
manipulating real and imaginary harmonic power.
20. An apparatus for at least one of power amplification and power modulation, comprising:
first circuitry operable to receive information;
second circuitry operable to receive a frequency reference signal;
third circuitry operable to generate two or more substantially constant envelope signals using at least said received information and said frequency reference signal;
fourth circuitry operable to control a frequency spectrum of each of the substantially constant envelope signals;
fifth circuitry operable to amplify said substantially constant envelope signals; and
sixth circuitry operable to combine said amplified substantially constant envelope signals, to create an output signal;
wherein the fourth circuitry is configured to control the frequency spectrum of each of the substantially constant envelope signal to increase a power transferred to a fundamental harmonic of the output signal.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein said fifth circuitry comprises an amplifier, and said fourth circuitry comprises:
seventh circuitry operable to wave-shape inputs of said amplifier.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein said seventh circuitry comprises:
circuitry operable to wave-shape inputs of each branch of said amplifier.
23. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein said fifth circuitry comprises an amplifier, and said fourth circuitry comprises:
circuitry operable to waveshape inputs of a pre-driver stage of said amplifier.
24. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein said fifth circuitry comprises an amplifier, and said fourth circuitry comprises:
circuitry operable to waveshape inputs of a driver stage of said amplifier.
25. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein said fifth circuitry comprises an amplifier, and said fourth circuitry comprises:
circuitry operable to waveshape inputs of a pre-driver stage and inputs of a driver stage of said amplifier.
26. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein said fourth circuitry comprises:
circuitry operable to manipulate real and imaginary power.
27. A method of at least one of power amplification and power modulation, comprising:
receiving one or more input signals;
receiving a frequency reference signal;
generating two or more substantially constant envelope signals using at least said one or more input signals and said frequency reference signal;
receiving said substantially constant envelope signals at an amplifier;
controlling properties of said amplifier to control wave-shapes of output signals of said amplifier, wherein each of said output signals correspond to a respective one of said substantially constant envelope signals; and
controlling the one or more input signals to create a desired output signal, wherein the wave-shapes of the output signals are controlled such that power transferred to a fundamental harmonic of the desired output signal is increased.
28. The method of claim 27 , wherein said controlling step comprises:
staggering biasing of transistors of said amplifier.
29. The method of claim 28 , wherein said bias staggering comprises:
turning on a first subset of said transistors, followed by turning on a second subset of said transistors.
30. A method of at least one of power amplification and power modulation, comprising:
receiving one or more input signals;
receiving a frequency reference signal;
generating two or more substantially constant envelope signals using at least said one or more input signals and said frequency reference signal;
controlling a frequency spectrum of each of the substantially constant envelope signals;
amplifying said substantially constant envelope signals; and
controlling the one or more input signals to create an output signal;
wherein the frequency spectrum of each of the substantially constant envelope signal is controlled to increase a power transferred to a fundamental harmonic of the output signal.
31. The method of claim 30 , wherein said amplifying step is performed using an amplifier, said controlling the frequency spectrum step comprising:
wave-shaping inputs of said amplifier.
32. The method of claim 31 , wherein said wave-shaping comprises:
wave-shaping inputs of each branch of said amplifier.