Hybrid power control for a power amplifier

1. A method of controlling a gain of a power amplifier, the method comprising:

applying a voltage-based gain control signal to control the gain of the power amplifier when a level output power of the power amplifier is indicated by a power contour signal;

identifying whether the power amplifier is saturated; and

applying a current-based gain control signal to control the gain of the power amplifier when the power amplifier is saturated and a decrease in output power is indicated by the power contour signal.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

applying the voltage-based gain control signal to the power amplifier when an increase in output power is indicated by a power contour signal.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

based on the power contour signal and the identification of whether the power amplifier is saturated, selectively controlling operation of a switch to select between the voltage-based gain control signal and the current-based gain control signal.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying whether the power amplifier is saturated comprises:

comparing to a voltage reference signal at least one signal selected from a group consisting of the voltage-based gain control signal, the current-based gain control signal, and an output signal of the power amplifier.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

generating at least one signal that indicates a present state of the power contour signal; and

generating at least one saturation indication signal indicating whether the power amplifier is saturated.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting a current level of an output signal generated by the power amplifier; and

comparing the current level to the power contour signal to generate the current-based gain control signal.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

detecting a voltage level of an output signal generated by the power amplifier; and

comparing the voltage level to the power contour signal to generate the voltage-based gain control signal.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

responsive to applying the current-based gain control signal, determining whether the power contour signal indicates an increase in or level output power; and

applying the voltage-based gain control signal to control the gain of the power amplifier when the increase in or level output power is indicated by the power contour signal.

9. A method of controlling a gain of a power amplifier, the method comprising:

generating a voltage-based gain control signal;

generating a current-based gain control signal;

identifying whether the power amplifier is saturated;

applying the voltage-based gain control signal to control the gain of the power amplifier when an increase in output power or a level output power of the power amplifier is indicated by a power contour signal; and

applying the current-based gain control signal to control the gain of the power amplifier when the power amplifier is saturated and a decrease in output power is indicated by the power contour signal.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

detecting current and voltage levels of an output signal generated by the power amplifier;

comparing the current level to the power contour signal to generate the current-based gain control signal; and

comparing the voltage level to the power contour signal to generate the voltage-based gain control signal.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

generating at least one latch timing signal that indicates a present state of the power contour signal; and

generating at least one saturation indication signal indicating whether the power amplifier is saturated.

12. A hybrid power control system comprising:

a voltage-based gain control circuit that generates a voltage-based gain control signal;

a current-based gain control circuit that generates a current-based gain control signal;

a saturation detection circuit that identifies whether a power amplifier is saturated; and

a switch that applies the voltage-based gain control signal to control a gain of the power amplifier when an increase in output power of the power amplifier is indicated by a power contour signal and applies the current-based gain control signal to control the gain of the power amplifier when the power amplifier is saturated and a decrease in output power is indicated by the power contour signal.

13. The hybrid power control system of claim 12 , wherein the switch applies the voltage-based gain control signal to the power amplifier when a level output power is indicated by a power contour signal.

14. The hybrid power control system of claim 12 , wherein the saturation detection circuit controls operation of the switch to selectively apply the voltage-based gain control signal and the current-based gain control signal to control the gain of the power amplifier.

15. The hybrid power control system of claim 12 , wherein the saturation detection circuit detects whether the power amplifier is saturated by comparing to a voltage reference signal at least one signal selected from a group consisting of the voltage-based gain control signal, the current-based gain control signal, and an output signal of the power amplifier.

16. The hybrid power control system of claim 12 , wherein the saturation detection circuit generates at least one signal that indicates a present state of the power contour signal and generates at least one saturation indication signal indicating whether the power amplifier is saturated.

17. The hybrid power control system of claim 12 , wherein the saturation detection circuit generates at least one signal that indicates the present state of the power contour signal.

18. The hybrid power control system of claim 12 , wherein the current-based gain control circuit comprises:

a current sensor that detects a current level of an output signal generated by the power amplifier; and

a comparator that compares the current level to the power contour signal to generate the current-based gain control signal.

19. The hybrid power control system of claim 12 , wherein the current-based gain control circuit detects a voltage level of an output signal generated by the power amplifier and compares the voltage level to the power contour signal to generate the voltage-based gain control signal.

20. The hybrid power control system of claim 12 , wherein:

responsive to the switch applying the current-based gain control signal to control the gain of the power amplifier, the saturation detection circuit determines whether the power contour signal indicates a level output power or an increase in output power; and

the switch applies the voltage-based gain control signal to control the gain of the power amplifier when the level or increase in output power is indicated by the power contour signal.