IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,695,428
Granted Patent B2
US 12,695,428 · App. 18/130,990 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

Power protection loop for amplifier chain elements

Inventors: George Maxim (Saratoga, CA); Baker Scott (San Jose, CA); Stephen James Franck (Felton, CA); Hui Liu (San Diego, CA); Ziba Nami (Duluth, GA)
Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
H03F1/52H03F3/21H03F2200/171H03F2200/426
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,695,428
App. No.
18/130,990
Filed
Apr 5, 2023
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2843
USPC
330/291
Abstract

Power protection loops for amplifier chain elements are disclosed. In one aspect, an amplifier chain may have a power detection circuit detect power within the amplifier chain. When the power exceeds a threshold, a control circuit limits amplification provided by amplifier element(s) within the amplifier chain to throttle or lower power levels within the amplifier chain, thereby protecting elements within the amplifier chain. In this fashion, not only may the amplifier element(s) be protected, but also acoustic filter elements may be protected. The threshold used to throttle or lower the power levels may be based on one or more of: a supply voltage, a sensed temperature, and a mode (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G). By protecting these elements, these elements survive power surges instead of failing.

Claims (20)

1 . An amplifier chain comprising:

an amplifier;

a power detector associated with the amplifier;

a comparison circuit coupled to the amplifier and configured to compare a signal from the power detector with a threshold value; and

a control circuit coupled to the comparison circuit and configured to modify behavior of the amplifier when the signal from the power detector exceeds the threshold value based on a supply voltage, a mode indication, or a temperature.

2 . The amplifier chain of claim 1 , wherein the amplifier comprises a driver amplifier.

3 . The amplifier chain of claim 2 , wherein the control circuit comprises a regulator.

4 . The amplifier chain of claim 1 , wherein the control circuit comprises a bias circuit.

5 . The amplifier chain of claim 2 , wherein the amplifier further comprises an output amplifier serially coupled to the driver amplifier.

6 . The amplifier chain of claim 5 , wherein the power detector is coupled to an output node at an output of the output amplifier.

7 . The amplifier chain of claim 5 , wherein the power detector is coupled to an interstage node between the driver amplifier and the output amplifier.

8 . The amplifier chain of claim 2 , wherein the power detector is coupled to an input node of the driver amplifier.

9 . The amplifier chain of claim 1 , wherein the power detector comprises a voltage detector.

10 . The amplifier chain of claim 1 , wherein the power detector comprises a voltage detector and a current detector.

11 . The amplifier chain of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor.

12 . The amplifier chain of claim 1 , further comprising a clamp associated with the amplifier and configured to clamp a voltage for the amplifier at a second threshold value higher than the threshold value.

13 . The amplifier chain of claim 1 , further comprising an over-voltage protection (OVP) loop associated with the amplifier.

14 . The amplifier chain of claim 1 , further comprising a filter coupled to the amplifier.

15 . The amplifier chain of claim 14 , wherein the threshold value is set below a voltage that damages the filter.

16 . The amplifier chain of claim 14 , wherein the filter comprises an acoustic filter.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 15, 2023
From: MAXIM, GEORGE; SCOTT, BAKER; FRANCK, STEPHEN JAMES; LIU, HUI; NAMI, ZIBA
To: QORVO US, INC.
Reel/Frame 063638/0395 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 5, 2023
From: MAXIM, GEORGE
To: QORVO US, INC.
Reel/Frame 063230/0195 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 63381419 · Oct 28, 2022
Provisional Application 63346118 · May 26, 2022
Related Publication 20230387867A1 · Nov 30, 2023
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