Power amplifier circuit, radio frequency circuit, communication device, radio frequency module, and amplification method
A power amplifier circuit is provided that includes a transmission circuit, a control circuit, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The transmission circuit includes an amplifier element that amplifies power of a radio frequency signal. The control circuit controls the transmission circuit. The first terminal receives a serial data signal that is based on a serial data standard. The second terminal receives a digital signal different from the serial data signal. The control circuit then controls the transmission circuit in response to the digital signal received from the second terminal.
1. A power amplifier circuit comprising:
a transmission circuit including an amplifier element configured to amplify power of a radio frequency signal;
a first terminal configured to receive a serial data signal that is based on a serial data transmission standard;
a second terminal configured to receive a digital signal that is different than the serial data signal; and
a control circuit configured to control the transmission circuit in response to the digital signal received from the second terminal.
2. The power amplifier circuit according to claim 1 , wherein:
the transmission circuit further includes an output matching circuit connected to an output side of the amplifier element, and
the control circuit is configured to control an impedance of the output matching circuit in response to the digital signal received from the second terminal.
3. The power amplifier circuit according to claim 1 , wherein:
the transmission circuit further includes a variable capacitance unit disposed between an input terminal and an output terminal of the amplifier element, and
the control circuit is configured to control the variable capacitance unit in response to the digital signal received from the second terminal.
4. The power amplifier circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is configured to control a bias current for the amplifier element in response to the digital signal received from the second terminal.
5. The power amplifier circuit according to claim 4 , further comprising:
a plurality of bias circuits configured to supply the bias current for the amplifier element; and
a switch configured to switch between the plurality of bias circuits,
wherein the control circuit is configured to control the switch, in response to the digital signal received from the second terminal, to control the bias current for the amplifier element.
6. The power amplifier circuit according to claim 1 , wherein:
the second terminal is configured to receive a power supply control signal as the digital signal through a path that connects a signal processing circuit and a power supply circuit, the signal processing circuit being configured to output the radio frequency signal to the transmission circuit, the power supply circuit being configured to change an amplitude of a power supply voltage for the amplifier element in response to the power supply control signal from the signal processing circuit, and
the power supply control signal includes information based on an envelope signal indicating an envelope of an amplitude of the radio frequency signal, and is output from the signal processing circuit to the power supply circuit to change the amplitude of the power supply voltage.
7. A radio frequency circuit comprising:
the power amplifier circuit according to claim 1 ;
an antenna terminal; and
a filter disposed in a path that extends between the power amplifier circuit and the antenna terminal.
8. A communication device comprising:
the radio frequency circuit according to claim 7 ; and
a signal processing circuit configured to output the radio frequency signal to the transmission circuit.
9. A radio frequency module comprising:
a mounting substrate;
a power amplifier configured to amplify power of a radio frequency signal;
a first terminal configured to receive a serial data signal that is based on a serial data transmission standard;
a second terminal configured to receive a digital signal that is different than the serial data signal; and
a control circuit configured to control the power amplifier in response to the digital signal received from the second terminal.
10. The radio frequency module according to claim 9 , further comprising an output matching circuit connected to an output side of the power amplifier and to the second terminal.
11. The radio frequency module according to claim 10 , wherein the control circuit is configured to control an impedance of the output matching circuit in response to the digital signal received from the second terminal.
12. The radio frequency module according to claim 9 , further comprising a variable capacitance unit disposed between an input terminal and an output terminal of the power amplifier and that is connected to the second terminal.
13. The radio frequency module according to claim 9 , wherein the first terminal is adjacent to the second terminal.
14. The radio frequency module according to claim 9 , wherein the second terminal overlaps the control circuit in a plan view in a thickness direction of the mounting substrate.
15. The radio frequency module according to claim 9 , wherein the second terminal comprises a plurality of second terminals that are adjacent to each other.
16. The radio frequency module according to claim 9 , further comprising:
at least two signal terminals through which the radio frequency signal passes,
wherein the second terminal is located between the two signal terminals.
17. An amplification method comprising:
receiving a power supply voltage through a power supply line;
amplifying a radio frequency signal by using the power supply voltage; and
receiving a digital signal that is different than a serial data signal that is based on a serial data transmission standard.
18. The amplification method according to claim 17 , further comprising controlling, in response to the digital signal, at least part of a transmission circuit including a power amplifier configured to amplify power of the radio frequency signal.
19. The amplification method according to claim 17 , further comprising generating the digital signal based on an envelope signal.
20. The amplification method according to claim 19 , further comprising controlling, by the digital signal, a power amplifier configured to amplify power of the radio frequency signal.