IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,952,758
Granted Patent B2
US 8,952,758 · App. 13/868,777 · Granted Feb 10, 2015

Amplifier using nonlinear drivers

Inventors: Srinidhi R. Embar (Chandler, AZ); Abdulrhman M. S Ahmed (Gilbert, AZ); Joseph Staudinger (Gilbert, AZ)
Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,952,758
App. No.
13/868,777
Granted
Feb 10, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device includes a Doherty amplifier having a main path and a peaking path. The Doherty amplifier includes a main amplifier configured to amplify a signal received from the main path and a peaking amplifier configured to amplify a signal received from the peaking path when the signal received from the peaking path exceeds a predetermined threshold. The device includes a first driver amplifier connected to the main path of the Doherty amplifier. The first driver amplifier is configured to exhibit an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic that is an inverse of an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic of the main amplifier. The device includes a second driver amplifier connected to the peaking path of the Doherty amplifier. The second driver amplifier is configured to exhibit an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic that is an inverse of an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic of the peaking amplifier.

Claims (29)

1. A device, comprising:

a Doherty amplifier having a main path and a peaking path, the Doherty amplifier including a main amplifier configured to amplify a signal received from the main path and a peaking amplifier configured to amplify a signal received from the peaking path when the signal received from the peaking path exceeds a predetermined threshold;

a first driver amplifier connected to the main path of the Doherty amplifier, the first driver amplifier configured to exhibit an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic that is an inverse of an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic of the main amplifier; and

a second driver amplifier connected to the peaking path of the Doherty amplifier, the second driver amplifier configured to exhibit an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic that is an inverse of an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic of the peaking amplifier.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first driver amplifier and the second driver amplifier include Gallium Arsenide transistors.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the first driver amplifier and the second driver amplifier include Indium Gallium Phosphide (InGaP) based Heterojunction Bipolar transistors (HBT).

4. The device of claim 2 , wherein the main amplifier and the peaking amplifier include laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor transistors.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first driver amplifier or the second driver amplifier is a class AB amplifier.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first driver amplifier or the second driver amplifier is configured to inhibit the transmission of second order harmonics and third-order harmonics.

7. The device of claim 1 , including a signal splitter configured to receive an input signal and output a first signal to the first driver amplifier and a second signal to the second driver amplifier.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first driver amplifier and the second driver amplifier is configured to operate at from 3% to 10% of a maximum current drawn by the at least one of the first driver amplifier and the second driver when operating at saturation.

9. A device, comprising:

a first amplifier configured to amplify a signal received from a first path;

a second amplifier configured to amplify a signal received from a second path;

a first driver amplifier connected to the first path, the first driver amplifier configured to exhibit an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic that is an inverse of an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic of the first amplifier; and

a second driver amplifier connected to the second path, the second driver amplifier configured to exhibit an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic that is an inverse of an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic of the second amplifier.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the first driver amplifier and the second driver amplifier include Gallium Arsenide transistors.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the first driver amplifier and the second driver amplifier include Indium Gallium Phosphide (InGaP) based Heterojunction Bipolar transistors (HBT).

12. The device of claim 10 , wherein the first amplifier and the second amplifier include laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor transistors.

13. The device of claim 9 , wherein the first driver amplifier or the second driver amplifier is a class AB amplifier.

14. The device of claim 9 , wherein the first driver amplifier or the second driver amplifier is configured to inhibit the transmission of second order harmonics and third-order harmonics.

15. The device of claim 9 , including a signal splitter configured to receive an input signal and output a first signal to the first path and a second signal to the second path.

16. The device of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first driver amplifier and the second driver amplifier is configured to operate at from 3% to 10% of a maximum current drawn by the at least one of the first driver amplifier and the second driver at a saturation condition.

17. A method of operating an amplifier, the amplifier including a Doherty amplifier including a main amplifier configured to amplify a signal received from a main path and a peaking amplifier configured to amplify a signal received from a peaking path when the signal received from the peaking path exceeds a predetermined threshold, a first driver amplifier connected to the main path of the Doherty amplifier, and a second driver amplifier connected to the peaking path of the Doherty amplifier, the method comprising:

operating the first driver amplifier as a class AB or class B amplifier to exhibit an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic that is an inverse of an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic of the main amplifier; and

operating the second driver amplifier as a class AB or class B amplifier to exhibit an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic that is an inverse of an amplitude and phase distortion characteristic of the peaking amplifier.

18. The method of claim 17 , including applying digital predistortion to an input signal to the amplifier.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein operating the first driver amplifier includes, when the main amplifier exhibits an amplitude or phase compression, operating the first driver amplifier to exhibit an amplitude or phase expansion configured to offset the amplitude or phase compression of the main amplifier.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein operating the second driver amplifier includes, when the peaking amplifier exhibits amplitude or phase compression, operating the second driver amplifier to exhibit amplitude or phase expansion configured to offset the amplitude or phase compression of the peaking amplifier.

Assignments (31)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037486 FRAME 0517. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 053547/0421 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042985 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042762 FRAME 0145. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051145/0184 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051030/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0387 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050745/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050744/0097 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION NO. FROM 13,883,290 TO 13,833,290 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 041703 FRAME 0536. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS.. Recorded Feb 20, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: SHENZHEN XINGUODU TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048734/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042762/0145 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042985/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE PATENTS 8108266 AND 8062324 AND REPLACE THEM WITH 6108266 AND 8060324 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037518 FRAME 0292. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Feb 1, 2017
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 041703/0536 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040652 FRAME: 0241. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Jan 5, 2017
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 041260/0850 →
MERGER Recorded Nov 8, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 040652/0241 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12092129 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Jul 14, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039361/0212 →
SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039138/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Mar 7, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 038017/0058 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037518/0292 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 12, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037486/0517 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0804 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0819 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0844 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 6, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031591/0266 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 20, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031248/0627 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 20, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031248/0510 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 20, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031248/0750 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 030633/0424 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 6, 2013
From: EMBAR, SRINIDHI R.; S AHMED, ABDULRHMAN M.; STAUDINGER, JOSEPH
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 030357/0709 →
Continuity (1)
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