IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,698,734
Granted Patent B2
US 9,698,734 · App. 14/867,227 · Granted Jul 4, 2017

Power amplification system with adjustable common base bias

Inventors: Philip John Lehtola (Cedar Rapids, IA); Scott W Coffin (Marion, IA)
Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
H03F1/30H03F1/0261H03F1/22H03F1/302H03F3/191H03F3/195H03F3/211H03F3/245H03F2200/447H03F2200/451H03F2200/468H03F2203/21106
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,698,734
App. No.
14/867,227
Granted
Jul 4, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Power amplification system with adjustable common base bias. A power amplification system can include a first transistor having a base coupled to a radio-frequency input. The power amplification can further include a second transistor having an emitter coupled to a collector of the first transistor and having a collector coupled to a radio-frequency output. The power amplification system can include a biasing component configured to apply a fixed biasing signal to the base of the first transistor and to apply an adjustable biasing signal to the base of the second transistor.

Claims (28)

1. A power amplification system comprising:

a first transistor having a base coupled to a radio-frequency input;

a second transistor having an emitter coupled to a collector of the first transistor and having a collector coupled to a radio-frequency output; and

a biasing component configured to apply a fixed biasing signal to the base of the first transistor and to apply an adjustable biasing signal to the base of the second transistor, the biasing component including a digital circuit that stores a table of biasing voltage values, each biasing voltage value in respective association with at least one of a plurality of temperature values and a plurality of power conditions.

2. The power amplification system of claim 1 wherein the biasing component is configured to apply the adjustable biasing signal based on a temperature of the power amplification system.

3. The power amplification system of claim 2 wherein the biasing component is configured to apply a higher adjustable biasing signal in response to a lower temperature and a lower adjustable biasing signal in response to a higher temperature.

4. The power amplification system of claim 2 further comprising a temperature sensor.

5. The power amplification system of claim 2 wherein the biasing component is configured to receive a temperature signal indicative of the temperature.

6. The power amplification system of claim 1 wherein the biasing component is configured to apply the adjustable biasing signal based on a power condition of the power amplification system.

7. The power amplification system of claim 6 wherein the biasing component is configured to apply a higher adjustable biasing signal in response to a higher output power and a lower adjustable biasing signal in response to a lower output power.

8. The power amplification system of claim 6 further comprising a power sensor.

9. The power amplification system of claim 8 wherein the power sensor is coupled to a supply voltage.

10. The power amplification system of claim 9 wherein the collector of the second transistor is coupled to the supply voltage via an inductor.

11. The power amplification system of claim 8 wherein the biasing component is coupled to the base of the second transistor.

12. The power amplification system of claim 8 wherein the biasing component receives a power signal indicative of the power condition.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the biasing component is configured to apply the adjustable biasing signal based on a modulation standard of the radio-frequency input.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the adjustable biasing signal is an adjustable biasing voltage.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the biasing component includes an analog circuit that provides the adjustable biasing signal.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the biasing component includes a third transistor having a collector coupled to a battery voltage, an emitter coupled to the base of the second transistor, and a base coupled to a buffer amplifier.

17. A radio-frequency (RF) module comprising:

a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components; and

a power amplification system implemented on the packaging substrate, the power amplification system including a first transistor having a base coupled to a radio-frequency input, a second transistor having an emitter coupled to a collector of the first transistor and having a collector coupled to a radio-frequency output, and a biasing component configured to apply a fixed biasing signal to the base of the first transistor and to apply an adjustable biasing signal to the base of the second transistor, the biasing component including a digital circuit that stores a table of biasing voltage values, each biasing voltage value in respective association with at least one of a plurality of temperature values and a plurality of power conditions.

18. The RF module of claim 17 wherein the RF module is a front-end module (FEM).

19. A wireless device comprising:

a transceiver configured to generate a radio-frequency signal;

a front-end module (FEM) in communication with the transceiver, the FEM including a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components, the FEM further including a power amplification system implemented on the packaging substrate, the power amplification system including a first transistor having a base coupled to a radio-frequency input to receive the radio-frequency signal, a second transistor having an emitter coupled to a collector of the first transistor and having a collector coupled to a radio-frequency output, and a biasing component configured to apply a fixed biasing signal to the base of the first transistor and to apply an adjustable biasing signal to the base of the second transistor, the biasing component including a digital circuit that stores a table of biasing voltage values, each biasing voltage value in respective association with at least one of a plurality of temperature values and a plurality of power conditions, and

an antenna in communication with the FEM, the antenna configured to transmit an amplified version of the radio-frequency signal received from the radio-frequency output.

20. The wireless device of claim 19 wherein the RF module is a front-end module (FEM).

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2016
From: LEHTOLA, PHILIP JOHN; COFFIN, SCOTT W.
To: SKYWORKS SOLUTIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 037659/0555 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62116499 · Feb 15, 2015
Related Publication 20160241203A1 · Aug 18, 2016